The World Economic Forum runs the Transforming Water Systems Challenge to accelerate innovative solutions for global water security. The program searches for early-stage startups and growth-stage enterprises that offer technological, financial, or policy-driven innovations to modernize water utilities and improve freshwater infrastructure. Winners will gain access to a global network, visibility and engagement opportunities to support deployment, and will each receive a CHF 175 thousand prize. The deadline to submit an application is 04 June 2026. Transforming Water Systems Challenge
worldwide
Global Citizens — Waislitz Global Citizen Award 2026
The Waislitz Global Citizen Award is an annual cash prize recognizing the excellence of one individual in their work to end extreme poverty. The program is open to applicants aged 18 and older from any country, provided they represent a legally registered entity, such as a non-profit organization, social enterprise, or for-profit business. Rather than funding future project proposals, the awards serve as cash prizes recognizing established proof of concept, scalability, and system-changing solutions. The program features three distinct cash prizes of US$100 thousand each: the Grand Prize, the Disruptor Award, and the Choice Award, totaling US$300 thousand in unconditional funding. The deadline for self-nominated applications is 14 June 2026. Waislitz Global Citizen Award
Earth Journalism Network — COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship for Journalists
The Earth Journalism Network offers reporting fellowships for journalists and creator journalists in low- and middle-income countries. Fellowship support includes operational and logistical support, accommodation, and financial support. Eligibility extends to professional journalists from or representing an established media house. The deadline for online applications is 17 June 2026. Fellowship for Journalists
Earth Journalism Network — COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship for Creator Journalists
The Earth Journalism Network offers reporting fellowships for journalists and creator journalists in low- and middle-income countries interested in covering the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31). Fellows are expected to produce multiple news pieces, stories or informational content during the course of the fellowship. Fellows may produce coverage as text, audio, video or some combination of formats. The fellowship provides full financial support—including economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, and travel insurance—to enable participants to report directly from the conference venue. The deadline for online applications is 17 June 2026. Fellowship for Creator Journalists
Earth Journalism Network — Workshop: Ocean Science and Deep-Sea Exploration
The Earth Journalism Network announces an in-person workshop that will support selected participants in Brazil to report on the importance of deep-sea science and exploration as well as marine biodiversity. Selected participants will travel to Fortaleza, Brazil, to attend the workshop. For participants based outside the Fortaleza area, EJN will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance and ground transportation costs related to workshop participation. Eligibility extends to professional journalists from or representing an established media house or news content creators/influencers with an active presence on one or more prominent social media platforms. The deadline for online applications is 18 June 2026. Link to workshop details
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Global AgriInno Challenge 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks youth-led innovations and solutions in response to the challenges associated with distribution and sales of agri-food products. Selected teams of two to five young innovators will be invited to further develop and pitch their digital development solutions. Winning teams will receive seed funding of US$30 thousand to develop their ideas. The agri-innovation challenge is open to all youth (below 35 years old) with digital innovations or ideas for the agri-food sector. The deadline to submit an application form is 20 June 2026. Visit the Global AgriInno Challenge
GOT BAG — Care Collective Fund
GOT BAG offers the Care Collective Fund to support global ocean health and climate action initiatives. The grant program funds a diverse range of partners, including non-governmental organizations, foundations, grassroots initiatives, activists, academic research projects, and social enterprises. Eligible projects must fit a maximum duration of 12 months and align with one of the program’s three systemic pillars: plastic life cycle, maritime ecosystems, or community of care and climate resilience. While the program supports projects worldwide, it gives preference to locally led initiatives in the Global South and high-leakage regions like Southeast Asia and coastal Africa. Selected applicants receive a grant of €10,000 to implement their project. The deadline for applications is 05 July 2026. Care Collective Fund
Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future — Prize for Environmental Stewardship
The Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future invites applications for the second cycle of the Earthna Prize. The award program supports global initiatives and projects that integrate traditional knowledge and cultural heritage to tackle contemporary environmental and sustainability challenges. Legally incorporated entities worldwide, including non-governmental organizations, community-based groups, civil society organizations, and private sector businesses, are eligible to apply. Submitted projects must focus on one or more of five strategic areas: water systems, food systems, terrestrial ecosystems, marine and coastal ecosystems, or built environments. The program features a total prize pool of US$1 million, which will be awarded among four winners to help scale and continue their environmental work. The application deadline is 20 July 2026. Earthna Prize
Royal Society — Entrepreneur in Residence
The Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) scheme aims to increase the knowledge and awareness in UK universities of cutting-edge industrial science, research, and innovation. The scheme provides industrial scientists and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to spend one day a week at a university developing their projects. The EiR awards are for one year. The value of the scheme is up to a maximum of £20 thousand. The scheme is open to applicants of any nationality, who are eligible to work in the UK. Applicants should have a background in science and engineering. The deadline for applications is 19 August 2026. Details here
TREE Fund — Building Bridges Initiative
The Building Bridges Initiative helps arborists and urban foresters communicate the value of trees and urban forests through engagement via collaborative research and other projects with public works officials, risk assessment professionals, civil engineers, wildlife researchers, soil scientists, and others. The maximum award value of grants is US$30 thousand. TREE Fund welcomes research proposals and applications from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines, of both a qualitative and a quantitative nature. The deadline for Letters of Inquiry is 15 September 2026. Building Bridges Initiative