The Right Livelihood Awards are annually made to individuals and organizations offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. The Award is sometimes referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” Past laureates include several whose work in issues of environment and natural resources advances social justice and grassroots development in the developing world. Normally, the Foundation makes three cash awards and one honorary award each year. Nominations are invited from anyone worldwide (excluding self-nominations, close relatives, and Foundation staff and jury). The deadline for nominations is 16 January 2026. Nominate
agriculture
e-MOVE — Cashew Value Chain
e-MOVE invites young agripreneurs within the cashew sector to transform their ideas into investment-ready, climate-smart ventures. Selected participants receive €2,000 in direct funding, mentoring, tools, and incubation support. Agripreneurs in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States are eligible. The submission window is open until 07 November 2025. Link
Food and Agriculture Organization — Farmer Soil Contest
Applications are open for the Farmer Contest to celebrate and empower farmers who demonstrate effective and innovative practices for improving soil health. The contest aims to celebrate and empower farmers who demonstrate effective and innovative practices for improving soil health and promoting sustainable soil management globally. The champion farmer will be invited to participate in the 2025 World Soil Day (WSD) celebration. Submission closes on 10 November 2025. Farmer Soil Contest
F. M. Kirby Foundation — Social Impact Prize
- M. Kirby Impact Prize is an annual global prize of US$150 thousand that amplifies and accelerates the work of enterprises working to scale their impact on social or environmental problems around the world. Applicants must have strong evidence of impact over at least 3 years and a plan for how to use the prize to scale that impact in the next 3-5 years. The prize is open to nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid organizations working anywhere in the world. The deadline for applications is 03 December 2025. Know more
D-Prize — Funding Entrepreneurs to Alleviate Poverty
The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 23 November (early deadline); 14 December (regular deadline); or 04 January 2026 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
In collaboration with UNESCO, the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) sponsors a PhD Scholarship for up to 40 students/scholars from developing countries to study in China for up to 4 years. TWAS will provide travel support and a monthly allowance to cover accommodation and living expenses. Applicants must be residents and nationals of a developing country (except China). The call for applications is open until 31 January 2026. TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
Ghent University — Special Research Fund
Ghent University grants PhD “sandwich” scholarships to promising PhD students from Global South countries who wish to carry out half of their PhD research at Ghent University. The candidate must have full-time funding for the other 24 months of research to be carried out in the South. Research proposals must be jointly submitted by a candidate, a supervisor at Ghent University, and a supervisor at the partner university. The deadline for scholarship applications is 17 February 2026. Special Research Fund
TED-Ed — Earth School
Earth School consists of 30 days of nature-focused content for learners of all ages. Each Quest includes videos and a quiz, combined with a series of engaging learning resources curated by environmental experts. Teachers and parents are invited to use these lessons and activities to keep their students and kids engaged and connected to the outside world. Lessons are free and accessible anytime. Link to Earth School
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 07 November 2026. Anzisha Prize
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture — Photo Contest
The SEARCA Photo Contest with the theme “Beyond the Harvest: People and Processes in the Agriculture Value Chain” seeks images from across Southeast Asia that showcase moments that connect producers with markets, communities, and consumers. The contest is open to all Southeast Asian nationals. Winners receive cash prizes of US$1000 (1st place), US$800 (2nd place), and US$500 (3rd place). All entries must be submitted before 30 November 2025. SEARCA Photo Contest