Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) supports projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity projects that have climate relevance. The focus of the IKI Medium Grants scheme is to provide support to the implementation of projects addressing the global loss of biodiversity in connection with climate change. Each project can receive a grant of between €300 thousand to a maximum of €800 thousand over a period of two to three years. Funding is available for non-profit organizations (associations, foundations, think tanks) and academic institutions (universities and research institutions), as well as non-profit companies in Germany. Projects have to be implemented in collaboration with local implementing organizations in ODA countries. Project outlines can be submitted by 20 January 2026. Climate Initiative Medium Grants
biodiversity
Senckenberg — Global Fellowships
Senckenberg offers fellowships to early-career scientists (doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers) from the Global South. Fellowships are offered for a 3-month period to establish and/or strengthen collaboration with scientific staff at Senckenberg. Applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in biodiversity, anthropology, geology, collection-based research, or conservation ecology. The next application deadline is 01 March 2026. Find more information
Waterloo Foundation — Environment Fund: Tropical Rainforests
The Waterloo Foundation manages an Environment Fund that supports projects to manage and conserve tropical rainforests. Applications are invited from UK charities in partnership with local organizations in the developing world, and from non-UK organizations that can provide suitable references in the UK. The majority of grants range from £50 thousand to £100 thousand for projects of up to three years. Application deadlines are 01 June and 01 November 2026. About the Fund
European Space Agency — Biomass Innovation
The European Space Agency (ESA) invites proposals from organizations in ESA Member States to exploit the unique capabilities of the BIOMASS mission for novel Earth-system, forest, and land-surface science applications. The exact funding ceiling per project is not publicly detailed in the summary announcement. The application deadline is 15 December 2025. Find the call here
Right Livelihood Award — Annual Nominations 2026
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
European Plant Science Organisation — Young Plant Scientist Award
The European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) offers two awards to young scientists to attend the Science Day of the EPSO General Meeting in June 2025. The awards will cover registration and travel. The awardee can present a lecture on his/her research and will receive €200. Applications are invited from PhD students working on either fundamental or applied aspects of research on plants. Applications must be received by 31 January 2026. EPSO Young Plant Scientist Award
Sequoia Park Zoo — Conservation Grant Program
The Sequoia Park Zoo supports field research, habitat restoration, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, public awareness campaigns, and annual lecture series. The Zoo also offers an annual Conservation Grant Program, awarding up to US$3,000 per project, for work that delivers clear, measurable impact on wildlife or habitat conservation. Applicants must be affiliated with a conservation-related organization or an education institution. Pre-proposals can be submitted until 03 November 2025. Conservation Grant Program
Conservation Leadership Programme — Grants for Early-Career Conservationists
The Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) makes grants to advance the leadership capacity of early-career conservationists in the developing world. Grants combine research with conservation. CLP provides support to small teams of at least three individuals. Future Conservationist Awards are up to US$15 thousand. Follow-up awards and Leadership Awards are up to US$25 thousand and US$50 thousand, respectively. CLP explains each category of award; eligibility criteria; and details on how to apply. CLP offers support to early-career conservationists living and working in low- and middle-income economies in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The application deadline is 09 January 2026. Link to the Conservation Leadership Program
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation — Science without Borders Challenge 2026
The Science Without Borders (SWB) Challenge is an international student art competition. The theme for this year’s challenge is “Microscopic Marine Life.” Students are asked to create artwork celebrating the vital role of tiny ocean organisms—like phytoplankton, zooplankton, bacteria, and protists—that sustain marine ecosystems, produce oxygen, recycle nutrients, and regulate Earth’s climate. The SWB Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students (aged 11-19 years) from all around the world. The winners will receive scholarships of up to US$500. The deadline is 02 March 2026. Science Without Borders Challenge
United Nations Environment Program — Sustainable Public Finance for Biodiversity
The IKI–GIZ “FAST” (Fast-tracking Transformation through Sustainable Public Finance for Biodiversity) Project seeks up to eight implementing partners to support work in Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The program aims to help countries redesign public finance systems to align financial flows with biodiversity protection. Activities ( up to US$450 thousand per country) include conducting stocktaking and feasibility analyses on biodiversity-related public finance, capacity needs assessments, analyzing fiscal impacts on biodiversity, forming research networks, and developing indicators linking biodiversity, gender, and public finance. Partners must be non-profit or semi-governmental organizations. Proposals are due by 31 October 2025. Know more