Giving Joy makes micro-grants to women who seek to establish or improve their businesses for the benefit of their communities. Applicants can propose activities in any field, trade, occupation, or craft (e.g., agriculture, fisheries, energy, WASH, etc.). Proposed grant activities must have a social benefit to the community. Grants range from US$250 to US$500. Grants support women entrepreneurs worldwide. Giving Joy offers different grant cycles per year. The deadlines are 30 April (Europe and the Middle East), 31 July (Asia and the Pacific), and 31 October (Africa). Giving Joy Grants
april2025
The Royal Society — Early Career Researcher Competition
The Biology Letters Early Career Researcher (ECR) Competition recognizes outstanding research papers authored by ECRs. Eligible participants are individuals who have completed a postgraduate degree within the last six years. The competition awards £1,000 to the overall winner and £500 each to two runners-up. To enter, submit your research article via the journal’s submission by 30 April 2025. Link to the competition
Fondation Franklinia — Conservation of Globally Threatened Trees
The Foundation Franklinia accepts project proposals focused on in-situ conservation of threatened trees in Latin America and the Caribbean. Eligibility extends to any organization with well-established expertise and efficiency in plant conservation. Projects must aim at improving the conservation status of globally threatened tree species listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Funding from the Foundation favors conservation projects with reasonable budgets in relation to proposed activities. A minimum of 20-50% of co-funding will be required. The deadline for submission of proposals (English or French) is 06 April 2025. Tree Conservation
German Government — Microgrants Africa
The German Embassy seeks to support NGOs and other civil society actors which support marginalized, and impoverished communities in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. The micro-project scheme contributes to poverty alleviation and improvement of living standards, to cover the basic needs, especially in rural areas. A maximum amount of €25 thousand can be granted per project. Project examples to be funded are boreholes, garden projects, shelters for vulnerable children, construction/renovation of school classes, and income-generating articles. The application deadline is 31 March 2025. Microprojects
Alstom Foundation — Project Support for NGOs
The Alstom Foundation invites project proposals from NGOs in eligible countries in the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia, Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa (a full list of eligible countries is provided in the call for proposals). The Foundation supports a range of activities, including support for water supply and sanitation; renewable energy; reforestation; waste management; ecotourism; and environmental awareness campaigns. All projects must be submitted together with an Alstom employee acting in the role of the Project Promoter. (Note: The Secretariat of the Alstom Foundation may offer support in finding a promoter. In this case, projects have to be submitted no later than 20 March 2025.) The regular submission deadline is 10 April 2025. Click here
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Solve Global Challenges
The “Solve” program at MIT announces six global challenges in 2025, inviting anyone in the world to propose solutions to them. The 2025 challenges include one on climate adaptation. MIT Resilient Ecosystems Challenge seeks technology-based solutions that help communities restore, sustain, and benefit from resilient ecosystems. The winner receives a US$10 thousand grant. Additional prizes (from US$75 thousand to US$150 thousand) for solutions addressing specific challenges are available. The deadline for project draft submission is 17 April 2025. Link to the Challenge
U.S. Embassy in Cameroon — Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
The U.S. Embassy in Cameroon seeks qualified candidates for the 2025-2026 Fulbright African Research Scholar Program. Awards of 3 to 9 months are offered for African university faculty or research institute professionals to conduct research in any academic discipline at a U.S. academic or research institution. The deadline for applications is 21 April 2025. Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program
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 13 April 2025. Link
European Union — COAL Prize 2025
The COAL Prize 2025 invites artists to submit projects dedicated to fresh water. The Prize is open to artists from all over the world. The winner receives €12 thousand to support artwork in progress and benefits from an (optional) residence run by the Museum of Hunting and Nature at the Belval Domaine. In parallel, a call for projects is open for the COAL Student Prize – Culture & Diversity for students of schools in the artistic and cultural field. The application deadline is 20 April 2025. COAL Prize
Food 4 Future — Food Tech Innovation Awards
The Food Tech Innovation Awards 2025 recognize the most innovative proposals that offer a disruptive approach to Customer Experience or Management. The award has 6 categories: digitalization award for the food and beverage industry; best sustainability project; healthy food; the best innovation project for the packaging industry; the most innovative food tech startup; and the best automation and robotics solution. The FoodTech Innovation Awards are open to all companies, universities, business schools, researchers, journalists, and start-ups from all over the world. The proposal entry deadline is 04 April 2025. Food Tech Innovation Awards