New in:
1. Ocean Solutions Microgrants Program, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
2. Call for Applications: Planet "See Change, Change the World" Challenge, Copernicus Masters
3. DLR Environment, Energy & Health Challenge, Copernicus Masters
4. BMVI Digital Transport Challenge, Copernicus Masters
5. Smart Cities Datathon Challenge 2021, Asian Development Bank (see link for eligible countries)
6. Call for Applications for 2021-2023 EDGE Fellowship Program (see link for eligible countries)
All currently open calls:
Grant-making opportunities
1. Call for Applications, Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation Fund
Prioritizes the closing of resource and knowledge gaps with a broad thematic focus on innovation and urgency, thus encouraging creative solutions and partnerships among funding applicants and the wider EbA community.
Funding information: open for contributions of USD 50,000 to USD 250,000
Deadline: Apr 30, 2021.
2. Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator, UNEP & Climate Technology Centre and Network (see link for eligible countries)
To support developing countries to test, evaluate, roll out and scale up innovative adaptation practices, products and technologies
Funding information: The Fund will receive USD 5 million to administrate and aggregate 25 micro-grants projects (up to USD 250,000 each).
Deadline: Apr 30, 2021.
3. Collaborative Research Program, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (see link for eligible countries)
To promote training of young scientists and to facilitate the creation of appropriate research facilities. The program provides support for research projects in basic science, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology and bioenergy.
Funding information: maximum annual contribution is EUR 25,000
Deadline: Apr 30, 2021.
4. 2021 Healthy, Resilient and Sustainable Communities Grant Program, EPA (USA)
Will support Region 10 communities as they develop and implement pollution prevention and/or sustainable materials management systems that help make their communities safer, healthier, and more resilient.
Funding information: awarding 2-4 grants, ranging from USD 30,000 to 60,000
Deadline: Apr 30, 2021.
5. Research Grants Program, Environmental Research and Education Foundation
To address all areas of integrated solid waste management, with a strong focus towards research that increased sustainable solid waste management practices.
Funding information: from USD 15,000 to over 500,000 with the average grant amount in recent years being USD 160,000.
Deadline: May 1, 2021.
6. IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund (see link for eligible countries)
Provides funds for local NGOs to acquire (through purchase or lease) threatened nature, create safe reserves and connect wildlife habitats for endangered species.
Funding information: max. assistance provided is EUR 85,000
Deadline: May 1, 2021.
7. Call for Proposals to Highlight Blind Spots in AI Development, UNESCO
UNESCO in cooperation with Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute seeks to identify blind spots in AI Policy and Program Development. The collective work will explore creative, novel and far-reaching approaches to tackling blind spots in the AI lifecycle.
Funding information: for accepted contributions outside of academia, authors may request financial support available on a needs-based basis up to USD 1,000.
Deadline: May 2, 2021.
8. Call for Applications, Conference Grants Program, Spencer Foundation
Provides support to scholars to organize small research conferences, focused symposia, or other forms of convening are around important issues in education research.
Funding information: supports proposals with budgets of USD 50,000 or less
Deadline: May 6, 2021.
9. Call for Applications for Large Research Grants on Education, Spencer Foundation
The goal is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Funding information: budgets ranging from USD 125,000 to 500,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.
Deadline: May 19, 2021.
10. Call for Project Ideas, IKI Medium Grants 2021
Aimed at civil society actors based in Germany that work in concert with local partners in selected ODA-eligible implementing countries to put measures in place to intensify North South cooperation on climate action, adaptation to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Funding information: grant of between EUR 300,000 and a max. of EUR 800,000 may be granted per project.
Deadline: May 24, 2021.
11. New Smart Cities Datathon Challenge 2021, Asian Development Bank (see link for eligible countries)
Challenging innovators (startups, students, research organizations and independent researchers, corporate partners) to tackle the following problem statement: To build back smarter, how can digital solutions be used to make cities more livable with a focus on 1 or more of the following: access to services and amenities, participation and influence in the decision-making process, and improving financial access.
Funding information: USD 20,000 will be awarded to the best solution
Deadline: May 31, 2021.
12. New Ocean Solutions Microgrants Program, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
To drive ocean innovation, strengthen youth involvement in the ocean sector, increase ocean literacy, and identify financially stable ocean conservation models.
Funding information: grants range from USD 500 to 2,000, typically disbursed in 2 installments
Deadline: May 31, 2021.
13. Call for Proposals, AI for Humanitarian Action Grant, Microsoft
Since 2018, Microsoft has supported 40 AI for Humanitarian Action projects in 13 countries, advancing solutions to address challenges in disaster response, refugees, displaced people, human rights, and the needs of women and children through grants, technology donations, and data science support.
Deadline: May 31, 2021.
14. Small Research Grant on Education, Spencer Foundation
Supports rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education (broadly conceived).
Funding information: supports education research projects, with budgets up to USD 50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.
Deadline: Jun 1, 2021.
15. Call for Proposals, Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund
To support conservation programs that protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide. Field studies and other projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, and projects that involve in-country collaborators receive the highest funding priority.
Deadline: Jun 1, 2021.
16. Racial Equity Special Research Grants Program, Spencer Foundation
To support rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in relation to racial equity in education.
Funding information: proposed budgets for this program are limited to USD 75,000 total and may not include indirect cost charges per Spencer’s policy.
Deadline: Jun 2, 2021.
To strengthen environmental and occupational health-related research collaborations, enhance research training, create relevant advanced educational curricula and outreach material; support research needed to identify and design mitigation strategies for the adverse consequences of environmental and occupational exposures, and inform nationally-relevant policy development in LMICs.
Funding information: anticipated budget total costs may not exceed USD 300,000 per year.
Deadline: Jun 8, 2021.
18. Most Innovative Development Project 2021, Global Development Network (see link for eligible countries)
Invites NGOs and CSOs to submit project applications within the following three themes of the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project: universal health coverage and COVID; community-driven, climate-related, disaster risk reduction in rural areas; quality urban infrastructure and community driven governance
Funding information: winning projects will receive grants worth USD 45,000 and, in total; the MIDP category will award 9 grants worth USD 135,000.
Deadline: Jun 9, 2021.
19. Call for Proposals, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (see link for eligible countries)
This opportunity will enhance detection and response to infectious disease threats in healthcare facilities globally by developing networks to implement prevention and containment strategies at local, national, and regional levels. Interventions to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats in healthcare, including AMR, HAIs, and COVID-19, will be developed and implemented within networks.
Funding information: approx. total fiscal year funding USD 15 million; average 1-year award USD 800,000
Deadline: Jun 15, 2021.
20. Small Grants Program, Save Our Seas Foundation
To support research, conservation or educational projects that are capable of attracting significant public attention and that, as a result, may genuinely increase public and government awareness of the urgent need to protect the marine environment. Only projects concerned with marine chondrichthyan species (sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, chimaeras) will be considered.
Funding information: up to USD 10,000
Deadline: Jun 30, 2021.
21. Energize the Environment Grant Program, Quadratec Cares (USA)
Program/initiative examples: trail building or restoration projects, park beautification events, litter prevention initiatives, Earth Study missions, Sustainable Land Management activities, community environment education projects, & youth education engagement events.
Funding information: offering two USD 3,500 environmental grants per year – spring and fall
Deadline: Jun 30, 2021.
22. Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
To provide targeted grants to individual species conservation initiatives, recognize leaders in the field and elevate the importance of species in the broader conservation debate.
Funding information: maximum grant size is USD 25,000
Deadline: Jun 30, 2021.
23. Grants Program, The Conservation, Food and Health Foundation (see link for eligible countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Middle East)
Seeks to protect natural resources, improve the production and distribution of food, and promote public health. Supports projects that demonstrate local leadership and promote professional development in the conservation, agricultural, and health sciences; develop the capacity of local organizations; and address a particular problem or question in the field.
Funding information: average grant is approx. USD 20,000. Grants exceeding USD 30,000 rarely awarded.
Deadline: Jul 1, 2021.
24. Call for Proposals for AI for Earth Grants Program, Microsoft
To support projects that use AI to change the way people and organizations monitor, model, and manage Earth’s natural systems. Focus areas: climate, agriculture, biodiversity, water.
Grant information: If you already have access to a labeled dataset and are ready to start using Azure AI tools and cloud computing, this grant provides you with Azure compute credits worth USD 5,000, USD 10,000, or USD 15,000 (depending on project scope & needs).
Deadline: Jul 5, 2021.
25. New Call for Applications: Planet "See Change, Change the World" Challenge, Copernicus Masters
Looking for creative solutions that use Planet and Copernicus data to address objectives of the European Green Deal.
Funding information: Possibility to access EUR 10,000 worth of commercial datasets. Extra EUR 10,000 if your concept gets selected as Copernicus Masters 2021 Overall Winner
Deadline: Jul 19, 2021.
26. New DLR Environment, Energy & Health Challenge, Copernicus Masters
Looking for innovative solutions that use Earth observation data to support the sustainable management of our limited natural resources and foster human well-being.
Funding information: a cash prize worth EUR 5,000; possibility to access EUR 10,000 worth of commercial datasets; extra EUR 10,000 if your concept gets selected as Overall Winner
Deadline: Jul 19, 2021.
27. New BMVI Digital Transport Challenge, Copernicus Masters
Solutions can solve challenges on the local, national or international level and can target any mode of transportation. Participants are encouraged to use Copernicus data along with additional data sources such as traffic information, or other mobility-related data.
Funding information: a cash prize worth EUR 5,000; possibility to access EUR 10,000 worth of commercial datasets
Deadline: Jul 19, 2021.
28. Call for Concept Notes, Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (see link for eligible countries)
For high-impact partnerships implementing innovative business models to accelerate achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Partnership must include at least one commercial partner and at least one non-commercial partner.
Funding information: Partnership awards may be up to USD 1 million, typically in the USD 100,000 range for start-ups and more for scale-ups
Deadline: Jul 31, 2021.
29. Call for Applications, Merck Research Grants 2021
To create new sustainable partnerships with leading global science and technology players to work on breakthrough science and to generate valuable seeds for future business.
Funding information: amount of the grant(s) is EUR 40,000 - 450,000 per year/up to 3 years.
Deadline: Aug 31, 2021.
30. Fund for Innovation in Development Grant Program
A new initiative to support innovation that contributes to reducing global poverty and inequality. Through flexible grant funding, FID enables innovators and researchers to test new ideas, build rigorous evidence of what works, and scale the highest-impact and most cost- effective solutions.
Deadline: ongoing
31. Call for Proposals, Social Science Research Council
As part of the Just Tech program, seeks proposals from across the social sciences and related fields that address the risks, opportunities, and challenges posed by public health surveillance stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Funding information: awards will range from USD 5,000 to 10,000, with larger amounts directed to projects committed to research partnerships
Deadline: ongoing
32. Collaborate Pacific, New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade (see eligible Pacific countries)
Aims to support effective governance, leadership, regional cooperation, and sustainable development in the Pacific through support to one-off, small scale activities that tackle issues that matter to the region. Recognizes that partnership, capacity building, people-to-people links, and knowledge-sharing are critical to ownership of development processes.
Deadline: ongoing
33. Global Water Futures – Affiliate Projects
To deliver risk management solutions, informed by leading-edge water science and supported by innovative decision-making tools to manage water futures in Canada and other regions where global warming is changing landscapes, ecosystems, and water environments.
Deadline: There is no associated closing date with applications.
34. Call for Applications, Urgent Action Fund (Africa)
Urgent Action Fund-Africa is expanding its COVID-19 response towards supporting women, transgender and gender non-conforming defenders with disabilities to: develop and widely disseminate messages and information about the disease in disability friendly formats, simplify and/or translate complex COVID 19 information, and provide practical resources.
Funding information: up to USD 8,000
Deadline: applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
35. COVID-19 Young Leaders Fund
Program is designed to support young leaders who are tackling the Covid-19 pandemic on the frontlines. Applicants should be focused on SDGs 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8. One Young World will prioritize initiatives which can use the funds to impact the maximum number of people to the greatest extent.
Funding information: One Young World recommends requesting between GBP 2,500 - GBP 10,000.
Deadline: Program is open on an ongoing basis.
36. Global Innovation Fund (GIF)
This program seeks to invest in social innovations that aim to improve the lives and opportunities of millions of people in the developing world. Open to funding innovations in any sector as long as they can demonstrate their innovation improves the lives of those living on less than USD 5 PPP per day.
Range: USD 50,000 – 15,000,000
Deadline: Program is open on an ongoing basis.
Fellowships and other opportunities
1. Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program, World Bank
Matches aspiring development economics researchers from developing countries with World Bank research economists creating unique opportunities for the fellows to participate in rigorous policy-relevant research in the Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency.
Benefits: USD 42,750 net of income taxes per fellow for an 8-month fellowship (paid in monthly installments)
Deadline: Apr 30, 2021.
2. Public Call for EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2021, North American Association for Environmental Education
NAAEE has opened the search to find 30 game-changing leaders under 30 years of age who are using environmental education to build a sustainable future for all.
Deadline: May 5, 2021.
3. Call for Proposals for Sustainable Fisheries Challenge
On sustainable fisheries and aquaculture focusing on SDG 14 and the targets that call for ending overfishing and IUU fishing, increasing the economic benefits to SIDS and LDCs from marine resources, and enhancing small scale fishers’ access to fisheries resources and markets.
Deadline: May 9, 2021.
4. Call for Regional Curators for (virtual) Innovate4Cities conference 11-15 October 2021, UN-Habitat
Innovate4Cities conference with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy seeks to support accessible, innovative, equitable city climate action through promoting, guiding, and sharing city-focused research and innovation, driving partnerships and implementation at the local and neighborhood scale.
Deadline: May 12, 2021.
5. Call for Applications for 2022-23 Rotary Peace Fellowship Program
Up to 130 fellows are selected every year in a globally competitive process based on personal, academic, and professional achievements. Fellows earn either a master’s degree or a certificate in peace and development studies at one of the seven Rotary Peace Centers, located at leading universities around the world.
Deadline: May 15, 2021.
To promote the international exchange of innovative green ideas from various fields of research. Are you a promising scientist with innovative ideas and a strong focus on sustainable development? Does your research have the potential to help make the world a more sustainable place?
Deadline: May 19, 2021.
7. Call for Applications, World Bank Scholarships Program (see link for eligible countries)
Open to citizens of certain developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a master degree program in a development-related topic.
Deadline: May 21, 2021.
8. Call for Applications, The Global Forum on Humanitarian Health Research
Seeks to bring researchers and humanitarian organizations (including NGOs, local policymakers, and international agencies) together to share experiences and promote collaboration around health research in humanitarian settings. The forum prioritizes the participation of and case study presentations by researchers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Deadline: May 28, 2021.
9. Call for Proposals, 4th Human Rights Youth Challenge
Hearing from youth and from their perspective and their thoughts on how climate change impacts drinking water, water used for personal and domestic purpose as well as sanitation facilities including sewerage, toilet and shower facilities, hygiene products, among others.
Prize information: UN Special Rapporteur will invite the winner to join him and to speak at a side-event to Human Rights Council in September 2021.
Deadline: May 31, 2021.
10. Call for Applications, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
To support the research and development of broadly protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (BPCoV2) to meet the need for protection against variants. Emphasis is again on antigen design to elicit durable, potent and broad protection against variants.
Deadline: May 31, 2021.
11. UNESCO Clubs 2021 Worldwide Youth Multimedia Competition
2021 Entry Question: COVID-19 has tested Human Solidarity like nothing before. Based on your research, knowledge and experience, develop and submit, a Multimedia proposal/project that describes the lessons we have learned and how those lessons will shape our future. For example, our future in education, employment, development, or social aspects.
Deadline: May 31, 2021.
12. Call for Proposals for 2021 Public Forum, World Trade Organization
Theme is “Trade beyond COVID-19: Building Resilience”. Will look at the effects of COVID-19 on trade and how the multilateral trading system can help build resilience to the pandemic and future crises and deliver positive results for developing and least-developed countries.
Deadline: Jun 7, 2021.
13. Indigenous Communities Fellowship 2021, MIT SOLVE (USA)
Solve’s Indigenous Communities Fellowship seeks solutions by Native innovators across the US that consider both technology and traditional knowledge to support and scale positive impact.
Deadline: Jun 7, 2021.
14. Matching Awards Program, National Forest Foundation (USA)
Provides funding for results-oriented on-the-ground projects that enhance forest health and outdoor experiences on National Forests and Grasslands.
Deadline: Jun 9, 2021.
15. Call for Applications, Resilient Ecosystems Challenge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
How can communities sustainably protect, manage, and restore their local ecosystems? The MIT Solve community is looking for technology-based solutions that help communities restore, sustain, and benefit from resilient ecosystems.
Funding information: applicants will receive a $10,000 grant from Solve
Deadline: Jun 16, 2021.
16. New Call for Applications for 2021-2023 EDGE Fellowship Program (see link for eligible countries)
Awards two year Fellowships to future conservation leaders working on poorly-known EDGE fish, gymnosperms, bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, shark or ray species.
Benefits: 4-week Conservation Tools training course, a grant of £10,000 to undertake a 2-year project, ongoing technical support, one-to-one support from a scientific advisor, and a 2-week Conservation Leadership training course.
Deadline: Jul 18, 2021.
Each Chair will be provided up to USD 970,000 over a four-year period and tasked with executing a world-class research program able to contribute significantly towards building both the human capital and the scientific knowledgebase required to solve important climate change-related problems in Africa and beyond.
The application process will remain open until suitable candidates are identified.
18. Scholarship for Displaced Students, Columbia University
Supports displaced students from anywhere in the world who are unable to complete their higher education. These students will receive full tuition, housing, and living assistance while pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees across all 18 Columbia schools and affiliates. Scholarship aims to shift the global dialogue surrounding displaced persons, from one that views them as a burden to one that recognizes them as vital contributors to global innovation and prosperity.
19. Partnering for Change: Link Research to Societal Challenges, University of Basel
Course: How can we address societal challenges with research? Investigate the principles, processes, and uses of transdisciplinarity. Topics include: transdisciplinary projects on sustainable development, migration, and health.