The UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education is a global, youth-focused fellowship designed to empower young climate leaders to strengthen and transform climate education in formal and informal settings. Up to 12 fellows aged 10–30 will be selected to research, advocacy, policy shaping, storytelling, and systems change while receiving a stipend and access to mentorship, networking and visibility opportunities. Fellows are also eligible for up to US$20 thousand in grant support to expand their initiatives. The application deadline is 31 December 2025. UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship
worldwide
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Water Innovation Prize 2025
The MIT Water Innovation Prize is a startup competition focused on water innovation. Submitted projects must involve a technology, product, service, or process aimed at solving a problem related to the world’s water challenges. Entering teams must include at least one student who is fully enrolled at any college or university. There are no restrictions regarding nationality. Winners will be awarded innovation grants of up to US$50 thousand. The application deadline for the statement of intent is 31 December 2025. Water Innovation Prize
Algalita — Mini Grants to Combat Plastic Pollution
The Wayfinder Society Student Mini-Grant supports student-led projects that reduce plastic pollution and protect ocean health. The grant is open to students ages 11–25 worldwide who are leading or developing projects that address the root cause of plastic pollution. Selected applicants can receive up to US $500 to support project materials, outreach, or implementation. Applications are accepted until 15 January 2026. Link
Halcyon — Global Climate Fellowship
The Halcyon Global Climate Fellowship is a six-month fellowship designed to support climate-focused startups and social enterprises working on mitigation, adaptation, or resilience solutions, particularly those led by entrepreneurs from underserved or historically marginalized communities worldwide. The program is open to for-profit or nonprofit ventures with a market-ready solution and at least one dedicated founder, and provides up to US$25 thousand in funding, along with tailored business support, mentorship, leadership training, and investor access. The application deadline is 15 January 2026. Global Climate Fellowship
Grawemeyer Awards — Idea Competition
The Grawemeyer Awards recognize transformative, practical ideas that promote world peace, global security, human rights, or international cooperation. The award focuses on specific works, such as books, essays or analytical papers, that offer new and practical ways to improve world order. The competition is open to individuals or teams anywhere in the world. The award includes a US$100 thousand prize. Entries must be submitted by 30 January 2026. Grawemeyer Awards
Harvard University — Arboretum Research Scholar Award
The Arboretum Research Scholar Award supports early-career scientists, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers conducting plant-focused research that aligns with the Arboretum’s living collections, herbarium, archives, or scientific priorities in areas such as botany, ecology, evolution, and conservation. Awardees receive up to US$10 thousand to support research expenses including travel, lodging, materials, or access to Arboretum resources. The program is open to researchers worldwide, and projects may be short-term or exploratory in nature. Applications are accepted until 01 February 2026. Arboretum Research Scholar Award
Mongabay — Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program
The Mongabay Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program supports up to 12 fellows per year. Fellows will gain experience working with a range of editors at international news outlets, develop their environmental reporting skills, and create a portfolio of original publications to help them advance their careers in journalism. Each fellow will receive US$500 a month for the duration of the six-month fellowship (US$3,000 in total). The fellowship is open to anyone from a low- to upper-middle-income tropical country. The application deadline is 01 February 2026. Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program
International Fund for Animal Welfare — International Youth Art Contest
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) invites young artists worldwide to submit original hand-drawn artwork to the World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest 2026. The theme is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. Finalists and winners will be showcased at the official World Wildlife Day (March 2026). The contest is free to enter, and all artwork must be created with traditional media (markers, crayons, colored pencils, or paint), scanned or photographed in high resolution, and submitted online by 01 February 2026. Youth Art Contest
United Nations University — MSc in Sustainability Science 2026
The UNU’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) offers an MSc degree program to produce scholars who will become key researchers in the field of sustainability science. UNU-IAS seeks to incorporate perspectives on global change, specifically those related to climate change and biodiversity. The Japan Foundation offers the UNU Scholarship to outstanding applicants from developing countries who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance. The deadline to apply for the MSc program is 01 February 2026. Overview
Wilson Ornithological Society — Research Grants 2026
The Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS) offers four types of research awards to fund avian research anywhere in the world. Awards support ornithologists, graduate students, young professionals, and independent researchers without access to funds. Eligibility is open to citizens of all countries. Grants range from US$2,000 to US$5,000 — varying with each award program. WOS membership is required. The next application deadline is 01 February 2026. Research Grants