The “Art on Climate” Competition invites talented illustrators and video creators to create artworks centred on the theme of climate change. Artists should illustrate innovative ideas and practical solutions to address this global challenge, inspiring the public to take proactive steps in their daily lives to combat climate change. Any person aged 18 or above from any location is eligible to participate. The champion of the competition will receive a prize of €2,000. The submission deadline is 31 July 2026. Link to Climate Art Competition
awards/prizes
Dawn Project — Climate Change Ambassadors
The Dawn Project Competition 2026, themed “Our Climate, Our Health, Our Responsibility: Every Action Matters”, invites individuals of all ages to creatively explore the connection between climate change and human health. The competition accepts a variety of artistic submissions, including essays, poetry, visual art, graphic design, music, and other innovative formats. Winners in each category will receive cash prizes. Entries have to be submitted by 31 August 2026. Link
Social Shifters — Global Innovation Challenge
Social Shifters announces the Global Innovation Challenge to help young leaders and founders solve the social or environmental issues that matter to them. The challenge seeks creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter to local communities and welcomes ideas from anywhere in the world. Participants compete for awards of up to US$15 thousand to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet. All ideas must be led by young people aged between 18-30 years old. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Link to Social Shifters
Breakthrough Prize — Breakthrough Junior Challenge
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge asks youth to submit scientific discoveries or explain a big scientific idea in Physics, Life Sciences, or Mathematics with a short video (max. 2:00 minutes). One winner receives a US$250 thousand post-secondary scholarship, including an additional US$50 thousand teacher prize and US$100 thousand Breakthrough Science Lab. Eligibility is limited to individuals between the ages of 13 and 18 but is open to participants worldwide without geographic limitations. Videos have to be submitted by 15 September 2026. Know more
Belgian Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences — Research Competition 2027
The Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences invites submissions for its 2027 yearly competitions to promote high-quality scientific research concerning overseas regions. The competition features separate question categories across the human sciences, natural and medical sciences, and technical sciences, focusing on specific topics such as the impact of external actors on port cities and the safety of tailing dams. The call is open globally to any researcher, regardless of age, who submits an original, recently written scientific work or doctoral thesis. Each category winner receives a prize of €2,500. The deadline for the 2027 competition is 01 March 2027. Find the questions for the 2027 competition
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Solve Global Challenges
MIT Solve supports social entrepreneurs addressing critical global issues in health, education, and economic prosperity. The program is open to individual entrepreneurs and organizations worldwide that have previously participated in Solve’s programs or are working on scalable solutions aligned with their impact pillars. Selected innovators receive a portion of US$1 million in prize funding to further develop and scale their technological solutions. Applications must be submitted by 21 May 2026. MIT Solve
Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership — Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026
The Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership (AEIP) invites applications for the Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026. This fellowship is open to storytellers, digital artists, and creative professionals from Africa and Europe who focus on the intersection of art, technology, and social impact. Participants will engage in a collaborative program designed to highlight innovative solutions through diverse media formats. The program provides a grant of €3 thousand to each fellow to support the development and dissemination of their creative projects. The deadline for applications is 29 May 2026. Link
Fonds Pierre Castel — Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Africa
The Fonds Pierre Castel invites applications for the Pierre Castel Prize to support agricultural entrepreneurship in Africa. The program targets entrepreneurs between 18 and 45 years old who lead businesses in the agriculture, agrifood, or circular economy sectors. Applicants must be residents and nationals of Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prize offers €15 thousand for the first-place winner and €10 thousand for the second-place winner in each country, along with mentorship and professional coaching. Applications must be submitted by 30 May 2026. Pierre Castel Prize
MDPI — Forest Best PhD Thesis Award
The journal Forests invites nominations for its annual award recognizing outstanding research published in the field of forest science. The competition is open to authors of research or review articles published in the journal during the 2025 calendar year. The editorial board selects winners based on the scientific merit and impact of the work. The program offers a prize of CHF 500 and a certificate, along with an opportunity to publish one additional paper free of charge in the journal after peer review. The deadline for nominations is 31 May 2026. Best PhD Thesis Award
Africa Centre for Energy Policy — Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge 2026
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) invites applications for the Future Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge. The program is open to young African innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are developing sustainable energy solutions to address energy poverty and climate change across the continent. Selected participants receive technical mentorship, access to industry networks, and a grant of US$5 thousand to pilot or scale their innovations. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and residents of an African country. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Energy Innovation Challenge