The MoveNow Social Innovation Challenge funds youth-led ventures, nonprofits and unregistered initiatives anywhere in the world. Entrants must be 18 to 30 and be the founder or a leader with decision-making authority. Entries are judged in three categories: financial confidence in the digital economy, equality in health ecosystems, and community-led climate resilience, from early warning to resilient livelihoods. Each category awards one US$10,000 grant and four US$5,000 grants. Entries from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran and Venezuela are not accepted. Submissions close on 18 December 2026. Details here
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Algalita Wayfinder Society — Student Mini-Grants
Algalita’s Wayfinder Society awards 10 mini-grants of US$500 each to students aged 11 to 25 anywhere in the world who are developing or leading projects that address the root causes of plastic pollution. Eligible projects include campus reuse systems, fix-it clinics, cleanup campaigns tied to data collection, education workshops, policy advocacy and creative communication. Winners get mentorship from Algalita staff, periodic check-ins and social media coverage. Applications close on 15 January 2027. Student Mini-Grants
Yale University — Young Global Scholars Program
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers two-week academic summer programs for high school students from all around the world. The program offers four interdisciplinary sessions on campus at Yale (USA), including sessions on Innovations in Science & Technology and Solving Global Challenges. YYGS offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid. Furthermore, YYGS will waive the application fee if it constitutes a significant financial burden for the student’s family. The application deadline is 15 October 2026. About Yale Young Global Scholars
GIZ Agri-Business Facility for Africa — Business Growth Awards for Young Agripreneurs
GIZ’s Agri-Business Facility for Africa invites young and emerging agripreneurs to turn a business idea into a funded plan through its Agribusiness Growth Challenge. Ideas must fall in maize, livestock (cattle, sheep or goats), cashew or cocoa. The Business Growth Awards are listed as €6,000 in funding, a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop and a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme. Applicants must be at least 18 and based in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Submissions close on 30 October 2026. Business Growth Awards for Young Agripreneurs
Generation Climate Europe — Youth Climate Changemakers Fund
Generation Climate Europe invites informal groups of at least three young people (all under 30) to apply for small grants of up to €1,000 to support climate activism. The group doesn’t need to be a registered organisation, and funded activities can include things like awareness campaigns, advocacy, training, or community mobilisation, running anywhere from six months to a year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with the next deadline on 25 October 2026. Youth Climate Changemakers Fund
African Leadership Academy — Anzisha Prize for Young Innovators
The Anzisha Prize seeks young innovators ages 15-22 in Africa who develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Past awards include innovations in energy, agriculture, and ecological consumer products. The grand prize winners will share prizes worth US$140 thousand. Applicants must be nationals of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries. The next application closes on 10 November 2026. Anzisha Prize
Learning Planet Institute — Youth Design Challenge
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, and environment and climate. The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 07 January 2027. Youth Design Challenge
Malmar Knowles Family Foundation — Youth Leadership Program
The Knowles Educational and Charitable Trust for International Leadership (Kectil) Program is a one-year web-based mentoring program in youth leadership. The program consists of multiple-week modules with assignments to address issues facing youth globally. Youth (aged 17-26) from developing countries are eligible to apply. The deadline is 15 November 2026. Link
University of Delaware — Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs
The Diamond Challenge seeks social innovations that solve a social problem and make a positive impact on people or the environment. Teams must consist of 2-4 high school students typically between 14-18 years of age and have one adult advisor (21 years of age or older). The winners will receive a prize package worth over US$12 thousand. Finalists receive access to our Diamond Challenge Summit, automatic entry into our summer accelerator and accelerator scholarships. Concepts have to be submitted before 14 January 2027. Link to the challenge
The Earth Prize — Environmental Sustainability Competition for Teenagers
The Earth Prize invites students born between 2007 and 2014, worldwide, to submit solutions accelerating environmental sustainability, individually or in teams of up to five. Seven Regional Winners each receive US$10 thousand to implement their project, with a Global Winner selected by public vote from among them. Registration is open until 10 January 2027; the initial submission deadline is 31 January 2027. Environmental Sustainability Competition for Teenagers