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
agriculture
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
GoGettaz — Agripreneur Prize 2026
The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition supports innovative, young food and agribusiness entrepreneurs who are transforming the African food system. The contest is open to food system founders or co-founders aged 18 to 35 who hold nationality from an African Union member state. Eligible businesses can span any part of the agrifood value chain, including production, logistics, agro-processing, and digital farming solutions. The program features a total prize pool of US$160 thousand, which includes two US$50 thousand grand prizes awarded to one male-led and one female-led business, alongside four US$15 thousand impact awards for ventures excelling in areas like climate resilience, technology, and food security. The deadline for complete applications is 28 June 2026. Agripreneur Prize
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
Tiny Beam Fund — Negative Impacts of Global Industrial Animal Agriculture
Tiny Beam Fund offers communication grants to researchers who wish to “address negative impacts of global industrial food animal production” (especially in low- and middle-income countries). Communication Grants are aimed at encouraging academics who have studied the problems caused by global industrial animal agriculture to take steps to share their research. There is no fixed upper or lower limit for each grant. Only in exceptional cases will a grant provide over US$50 thousand in 12 months. The fund is directed to PhD researchers from any residence, citizenship, or location. There will be three awards available, one in each category. Applications are accepted year-round. More about the Communication Fund
Savvy — Fellowship for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs
The Savvy Fellowship is a 12-week online learning program for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. Savvy seeks early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs from across Africa working on solving the most pressing problems through innovation. Fellows will receive support, mentorship, and access to a lifelong community in support of their innovative business ideas. Fellows have to be no older than 40 years. The Savvy Fellowship program is open year-round and accepts applications on a rolling basis. More
Microsoft — Climate Innovation Fund
Microsoft invests in initiatives to accelerate technology development and deployment of new climate innovations through equity and debt capital. Microsoft focuses on areas such as direct carbon removal, digital optimization, advanced energy systems, industrial materials, circular economy, water technologies, sustainable agriculture, and business strategies for nature-based markets. Inquiry can be submitted anytime. Know more
LEAP Africa — Social Innovators Program
LEAP Africa invites applications for its Social Innovators Programme. This nine-month fellowship supports early-stage social entrepreneurs by providing them with mentorship, capacity-building training, and access to investors to help scale their ventures. To be eligible, applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of an African nation, between 18 and 35 years old, and the founder or co-founder of an impact-driven social venture located within an African community. No direct cash prize or grant amount is specified, but fellows gain strategic visibility and opportunities to pitch their enterprises to potential funders. The deadline for applications is 12 June 2026. Social Innovators Program
Campus France — Program SIAM 2027
France and Thailand administer SIAM to promote French-Thai research collaboration in subject areas that include energy, ecology and biodiversity, agriculture, and others. SIAM is a program of mobility grants to cover air transportation and related travel expenses up to a maximum of €12 thousand. Project proposals must be presented by at least one Thai partner and one French partner. The active participation of young researchers (doctoral and postdoctoral students) is a priority assessment criteria. The application deadline is 31 July 2026. Find details
Charles Hayward Foundation — Livelihoods Support in Africa
The Charles Hayward Foundation invites applications for its overseas main grants to support development projects in the Commonwealth countries of Africa. The program funds initiatives focused on clean water and sanitation, sustainable livelihoods linked to environmental conservation, and agricultural training for income generation. UK-registered charities with an annual income between £150 thousand and £4 million are eligible to apply. The foundation provides one-off, one-year grants of up to £15,000 to cover grassroots project expenses delivered alongside local partners. The deadline for proposals is 18 September 2026. Link