The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises for production, value chains, and marketing across a wide group of commodities (crops, tree crops, timber, bamboo and rattan, minerals, and others). Projects need to focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Innovative solutions for new agri-tech applications, access to renewable energy, or expanding environmental services are especially welcome. This 28th call for proposals has a deadline of 01 April 2026. Link to the 28th Call for Proposals
Funding News
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
The Future Fit Asia Innovation Challenge supports startups and academic teams across the Asia-Pacific region that are developing breakthrough technologies in food, health, and environmental biotechnology. The challenge features the Grantham Foundation Detox Awards, which offer US$90 thousand in non-dilutive funding to solutions that eliminate toxicity in natural and human systems. Eligible applicants must be based in the APAC region and demonstrate a scalable, systemic approach to climate resilience or long-term health. The application deadline is 01 April 2026. Future Fit Asia
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) supports original research projects in basic science, healthcare, and biotechnology specifically for investigators in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. These two-year grants offer a maximum annual contribution of €24,000 (€48,000 total) to cover consumables, equipment, and travel, with a unique requirement that lead investigators must host a fellow from another partner country to foster regional collaboration. Eligible applicants must hold a position at a university or research institute in one of the four beneficiary countries, and a special “Early Career Return Grant” is available for researchers under 40 who have recently returned to the region after at least two years abroad. The application deadline is 30 April 2026. BiotechNet Grants
Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) invites entries for the GLF Photography Awards 2026 to highlight visual stories of rangelands and the pastoralist communities that steward them. The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide who are at least 18 years old. Participants may submit up to three photos that capture the landscapes and livelihoods of ecosystems such as savannas, shrublands, or deserts. The first-place winner receives US$500, the second-place winner receives US$400, and a popular vote winner receives US$300. The deadline for applications is 01 March 2026. GLF Photography Awards
The AI for Good Impact Awards recognize innovative AI solutions that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The competition is open to startups, established companies, and non-profit organizations worldwide that demonstrate scalable AI applications with measurable social or environmental impact. Finalists are invited to pitch their projects at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, with winners receiving international recognition and networking opportunities with investors and UN agencies.. The application deadline is 15 March 2026. AI for Good Impact Awards
- Tags: awards/prizes, climate, conservation, individuals, march2026, universities, water, worldwide
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for small grants (US$20 thousand – US$50 thousand) for projects that support the sustainable management of water catchments through integrated approaches for the conservation of threatened freshwater biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English, French, and Arabic. LOIs must be submitted by 15 March 2026. Click here
Energy, Climate Change
The Roots Micro-Grants Program supports youth-led projects to empower voices from the Global South to advocate for climate justice. The program provides grants of up to US$10 thousand to initiatives that prioritize climate justice and social equity. The program will provide grants for between 10-15 grassroots youth-led initiatives, with a focus on groups in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The group/organization does not need to be legally registered in order to be eligible to apply. The application deadline is 28 February 2026. Details here
- Tags: Africa, climate, community projects, february2026, individuals, LAC, MENA, nonprofit orgs, South Asia, youth
EIT Climate-KIC invites applications from entrepreneurship support organizations to design and manage accelerator programs focused on artificial intelligence and deep-tech climate solutions. This global call is open to organizations and consortiums, including accelerators, incubators, and universities, that can support at least seven climate-focused startups per batch. While EIT Climate-KIC does not provide direct funding for program implementation, selected partners gain access to a global innovation network, impact assessment tools, and investment matchmaking services to help attract sponsors and co-funding. The deadline for expressions of interest is 28 February 2026. ClimAccelerator 2026
The Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards honors excellent reporting on critical dimensions of the climate story. Submissions are accepted from journalists everywhere, representing news outlets big and small, as well as freelancers. Outlets may also submit several entries by different journalists. Stories must be about climate change, not just the environment. Environmental stories that do significantly consider climate implications, such as the effects of deforestation on carbon storage, are eligible for submission. The deadline for completed entries is 31 March 2026. Know more
Water Resources
The IHE Delft Institute for Water Education offers scholarships for Indonesian citizens to pursue a Master of Science in Water and Sustainable Development. The program is available for both the regular and research MSc tracks starting in November, providing comprehensive financial support for the duration of the studies. Applicants must be Indonesian citizens who agree to return to Indonesia upon graduation to contribute to national priority sectors. The scholarship covers full costs. The scholarship application deadline is 23 February 2026. Know more
The IHE Delft Institute for Water Education offers a joint loan-scholarship program for Colombian professionals to pursue a Master of Science in Water and Sustainable Development. The partnership provides a 40 percent tuition fee waiver from IHE Delft for up to ten students, while COLFUTURO provides a loan of up to US$50 thousand for tuition and living expenses. This loan can be converted into a grant for up to 80 percent of the total amount if the recipient returns to Colombia to work for a specified period after graduation. Eligible applicants must be Colombian citizens with an admission letter from IHE Delft. The deadline for application is 02 March 2026. Details here
- Tags: fellowships/scholarships, individuals, LAC, march2026, water
FirstRand Foundation provides postgraduate opportunities for South African students in the Netherlands. The program offers full funding for one student per year to pursue an MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. Eligibility is limited to South African citizens who have not previously studied abroad and who are committed to returning to South Africa for at least five years after graduation. Applicants must first secure admission to one of the four thematic tracks of the master’s program at IHE Delft before applying for the scholarship. Selection is based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and community involvement. The application deadline is 19 February 2026. Details here
Cross-Cutting
The Strategic Needs Fellowship aims to enable the most vulnerable States, particularly least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, to better address strategically important and time-sensitive issues facing them in ocean affairs and the law of the sea. The Fellowship consists of a four-month training program at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (USA). States are invited to nominate Government officials with limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration for the position. The deadline for applications is 22 March 2026. Nippon Foundation Strategic Needs Fellowship
The TWAS Seed Grant for African Principal Investigators is aimed at young scientists who are getting established in their country or about to return home to an academic position. Under this scheme, grants are awarded to promising high-level research projects in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Information Computer Technology, Mathematics, Medical Sciences and Physics carried out in African countries. Research Grants to research units are in the maximum amount of US$67 thousand. The grants, which are normally provided for a period of 24 months, may be used to purchase scientific equipment, consumables, which can include fieldwork and maintenance of equipment and specialized literature (textbooks and proceedings). The application deadline is 31 March 2026. Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators
- Tags: Africa, agriculture, biology, individuals, march2026, research
The Nordic Africa Institute offers a scholarship for early-career researchers based in Africa to conduct research in Sweden for two to three months. The program is open to PhD students enrolled in African doctoral programs and postdoctoral researchers who completed their degree within the last four years, provided they are employed at an African university or research center. The scholarship covers economy airfare, accommodation, a workspace at the institute, and an installation grant of 2,500 SEK. Participants also receive a daily subsistence allowance of approximately 450 SEK to cover living expenses in Uppsala. The deadline for the 2027 program is 06 April 2026. NAI African Scholar Program