The Tyler Prize recruits undergraduate and postgraduate students from anywhere in the world to serve as 2027 Student Ambassadors. Ambassadors promote the laureates’ work on social media and in their communities. Ambassadors receive skills training in storytelling, social media and event delivery. Applicants must be proficient in English and interested in themes such as climate, oceans, economics, policy, pollution, food and agriculture, water, health and equality. Applications close 30 October 2026. Tyler Prize Student Ambassador Program
biotechnology
UNDP — Ocean Innovation Challenge
The Ocean Innovation Challenge seeks for implementation-ready solutions to ocean and coastal problems from legally registered private sector organizations. Proposals must fall under at least one of three themes: marine pollution reduction (plastics, ghost fishing gear, wastewater), coastal and marine ecosystem restoration (coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, wetlands), or sustainable blue economy (sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, eco-tourism, blue biotechnology, circular economy, ocean data). Applicants can be based anywhere, but the innovation must be implemented in at least one of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam. Up to 10 winners will each receive up to US$100,000 through a deliverable-based contract, plus up to 17 months of incubation, technical mentoring, project management and reporting support. The deadline is 15 November 2026. Ocean Innovation Challenge
UNESCO — Awards for Young Scientists in STEM
UNESCO awards US$50 thousand to each of five laureates, one from each world region (Africa, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean), in recognition of young scientists under 40 whose work in STEM research, STEM education and innovation, or international cooperation advances the Sustainable Development Goals. Applications and nominations are submitted in English or French through the prize portal by 30 November 2026. Awards for Young Scientists in STEM
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation — Start-up Support for Social Enterprises
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage, high-impact social enterprises and seeks projects and innovations that dramatically improve the lives of people and the world. Eligibility extends to non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid organizations in the early stages of their development that have scaling potential. The DRK investments are distributed twice a year over a three-year term, totaling $300 thousand. The Foundation has a rolling online application process throughout the year; there is no deadline. Click here
Association of Commonwealth Universities — Early Career Conference Grants
The Association of Commonwealth Universities offers seven grants of up to £2,000 each, helping early-career researchers attend conferences in other Commonwealth countries. The grants cover registration fees, flights, accommodation, visas, and travel and health insurance. Applicants must be early-career academics at an ACU member university, within seven years of starting their academic career. They must be chairing a session or presenting a paper or poster at an in-person conference in a Commonwealth country other than the one where they work. The conference must take place between January 2027 and January 2028. The deadline is 13 October 2026. Conference Grants
AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation — Research Grant 2026
The AGNES-BAYER Science Foundation Research Grant enables doctoral students from sub-Saharan African countries to undertake research in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. The Grant aims to support African PhD students to carry out activities that are part of the doctoral research, including but not limited to field experiments and data collection or laboratory studies. A maximum grant of €7,000 will be awarded to each successful applicant. All applications must be submitted online by 16 October 2026. Research Grant for Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Agriculture
World Academy of Sciences — Research Cooperation Visits Program
TWAS-SISSA-Lincei invites young scientists from least-developed countries to carry out collaborative research projects in Physics, Neuroscience, Mathematics, and Science Outreach as well as projects that fall under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scientists have the opportunity to visit research laboratories in Trieste (Italy) to carry out research work in scientific fields within the SISSA portfolio. TWAS will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Italy. The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 October 2026. More
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 03 February 2027. iF Student Design Award
Trust for Sustainable Living — International Schools Essay Competition
Every year, the essay competition focuses on a different global sustainability challenge. This year’s theme is “Navigating El Niño.” Participating students are invited to create a piece of artwork, music, video, poem, essay, letter, or story. The Grand Prize trophy winner will receive a free international trip to a TSL Summit, including £1000 spending money. Schools have to register a Teacher Champion to participate in the competition. The deadline for essay entries is 01 March 2027. Details
International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology — African Women in Biotechnology
The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme supports South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline who will perform hypothesis-driven research. Proposed research projects must fall within one of the ICGEB areas of research: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, Biopesticides and Virology. The closing date for applications is 20 October 2026. Access more information