Smithsonian.com accepts submissions from photographers worldwide in the theme of “Natural World,” among other categories. The Grand Prize is US$2,500 and the winners in each category will receive US$500 each. The deadline for submissions is 01 December 2025. Submit your photos
biodiversity
Weeden Foundation — Protecting Biodiversity in Chile and Russia
The Weeden Foundation makes grants for biodiversity conservation in forest ecosystems, riparian corridors, and riverine and aquatic environments of ecological importance. Weeden’s international priorities are the Patagonia region of Chile, and the Altai Republic of Russia. The average grant size is between US$15 and US$20 thousand. The Foundation requests letters of inquiry (LOI) at least one month before proposal deadlines. The next deadline for applications (English, Spanish) is 09 January 2026. Find details
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
International Science Partnerships Fund — Amazon Workshop Grants
The International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) invites joint proposals from UK and Brazilian researchers to support collaborative development-focused research in the Brazilian Amazon. Workshops must bring together early-career researchers to address development, biodiversity, climate, and land-use issues in the Legal Amazon, and host up to 40 participants. Each workshop may receive up to £55 thousand to cover travel, subsistence, event costs, and logistics. Applications are due by 21 October 2025. Amazon Workshop Grants
Box Impact Fund — Digital Transformation to Save our Planet
The Box Impact Fund will award a total of US$150 thousand to six different non-profit organizations pursuing digital transformation projects. Each selected organization will receive a US$25 thousand grant to put their idea into action. The project category “Protecting the Planet” covers areas such as environmental protection, energy conservation, renewable energy, nature conservation, and biodiversity. The application deadline is 10 November 2025. Box Impact Fund
UNESCO — Youth Innovation Contest
The UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) invites children and young people to take part in the 2025 Youth Innovation Contest. Participants can submit creative works that reflect their vision of a more sustainable planet, using any format (painting, story, poem, or a research essay). The contest is open to two age groups: Children’s Group (5-12 years old) and Youth Group (13-17 years old). Participants are encouraged to create works focusing on Climate Change, Biodiversity, Building Sustainable Communities, Protecting Water Resources, and Clean Energy. The deadline for application is 16 November 2025. More
Japan Fund for Global Environment — Environmental Conservation Grants 2026
The Japan Fund for Global Environment makes grants to non-profit organizations in Japan and developing countries for field projects in environmental conservation. Grants are for grass-roots projects and range from 500 thousand to 3 million JPY. Each non-Japanese applicant needs to have an agent in Japan to communicate and apply in the Japanese language on behalf of the applicant. The application deadline is 17 November 2025. Environmental Conservation Grants
Roger Williams Park Zoo — Danforth Conservation Grants
The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund makes grants of up to US$1 thousand to protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide. Priority is for projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to ecosystem conservation, and that involve in-country collaborators. Projects must directly affect biological conservation. Applicants can be of any nationality but must be associated with an organization (non-profit, university, etc.) through which they can receive funding. The application deadline is 01 January 2026. About the conservation grants
iF International Forum Design GmbH — Student Design Award
The iF Student Design Award recognizes students and their future-oriented concepts that aim to solve a global development challenge. The best concepts earn a share of €50 thousand. All winners will be honored with a two-day event in Istanbul. Students and recent graduates of all design-related courses and programs are welcome to register their concepts. The registration deadline for participation is 28 January 2026. iF Student Design Award
Rainforest Trust — Creating New Protected Areas
The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The application deadlines are 01 March, 01 June, and 01 November 2026. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Link