The Visiting PhD Fellowship Program gives registered doctoral students the opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research on developing economies. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program and have shown the ability to conduct research on developing economies. NU-WIDER provides a travel grant and a monthly stipend of €1,850 to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their fellowship. The deadline for submission of applications is 31 March 2026. UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship
agriculture
World Food Forum — Startup Innovation Awards
The World Food Forum invites young entrepreneurs to apply for its Startup Innovation Awards. The program highlights youth-led startups using technology to transform agrifood systems, end global hunger, and meet sustainable development goals. Eligibility is limited to startups with at least one founder or executive between 18 and 35 years old. Award winners receive at least US$7,500 per category, while the overall “Startup of the Year” receives an additional US$10 thousand prize. Applications are open globally and must be submitted by 01 April 2026. WFF Startup Innovation Awards
Austrian Development Agency — Business Partnership Challenge
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) invites applications for the Business Partnership Challenge to support sustainable private sector projects in developing countries. The program is open to enterprises, chambers, and non-profit foundations based in Austria, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland that have been in operation for at least three years. Projects must be implemented in partnership with local organizations in low- or middle-income countries and focus on promoting decent work, inclusive growth, and small business development. The grant offers between €500 thousand and €1 million per project, covering up to 50% of the total costs for initiatives lasting three to five years. The deadline for applications is 12 April 2026. Details here
Bayer Foundation — Women Empowerment Award
The Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award (WEA) recognizes women pioneering in health, nutrition, and related climate-smart solutions. Fifteen female entrepreneurs will get the chance to join the 6-month Accelerator Program and receive €25 thousand in support of their business. To qualify, applicants must center their solutions around health or food security related challenges. The award seeks to support women entrepreneurs driving impactful solutions in the Asia Pacific region, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The application deadline is 13 April 2026. Women Empowerment Award
World Food Prize Foundation — Innovate for Impact Challenge 2026
The World Food Prize Foundation hosts the Innovate for Impact Challenge to accelerate agricultural technology solutions that address global food security. Early-stage, for-profit AgTech startups from any country are eligible to apply. The winner receives a US$50 thousand grand prize, while second and third-place finalists receive US$10 thousand and US$5 thousand respectively. All three finalists gain international exposure by pitching their innovations live at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2026. Innovate for Impact Challenge
Google.org — Impact Challenge: AI for Science
Google.org invites applications for its AI for Science Impact Challenge, a US$30 million global initiative to accelerate scientific breakthroughs using artificial intelligence. The program focuses on two primary domains: health and life sciences, and climate resilience and environmental science. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, academic and research institutions, and for-profit social enterprises with a clear social impact purpose. Selected organizations will receive grants ranging from US$500 thousand to over US$3 million, alongside participation in a six-month Google.org Accelerator providing pro bono technical expertise and Google Cloud credits. The deadline for applications is 17 April 2026. Link to the Impact Challenge
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship — Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accepts applications for an accelerator program focused on social enterprises working on women’s economic power and/or climate resilience. The program is designed for established social entrepreneurs who directly serve people living in poverty who suffer disproportionately from climate change. Climate resilience falls into one of the following three categories: sustainable energy, availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. There are no geographical limitations. The application deadline is 27 April 2026. Link
African Plant Nutrition Institute — Plant Nutrition Scholar Award
The Plant Nutrition Scholar Award program offers ten awards of US$2,000 to students in the disciplines of soil science, agronomy, and horticultural or tree crop science with a focus on plant nutrition. Students must also be attending a degree-granting institution located in Africa. Candidates must be enrolled in a program of graduate study as of the application deadline of 30 April 2026. Plant Nutrition Scholar Award
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences — International Awards for Young Agricultural Researchers 2026
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan make research awards in agriculture. Up to three young agricultural researchers with outstanding research proposals in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related themes will receive US$5 thousand each to further their research. Applicants must be nationals of a developing country, and belong to a non-Japanese research institute or a non-Japanese university. Candidates need to be younger than age 40 to be eligible. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2026. Awards for Young Agricultural Researchers
D-BAW — Seed Grant for Community Impact
The D-BAW Seed Grant for Community Impact supports grassroots initiatives and community-driven projects aimed at creating sustainable social change. This program offers grants of up to US$5 thousand to registered non-profit organizations, community groups, and social enterprises operating in any country. The funding is intended to kickstart small-scale projects that address local challenges in areas such as education, environmental sustainability, and health. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026. For more details, visit the D-BAW website