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
community projects
Alice McCosh Trust — Small Grants for Natural History and Environmental Work
The Alice McCosh Trust awards one-off grants of around £1,000 to advance education in natural history and the environment. Grants can cover fieldwork for a research project or the cost of producing materials that increase understanding of the environment or encourage people to protect it. Individuals of any age and nationality can apply. The application deadline is 30 November each year. Link
Allianz — Grants for Youth-Led Social and Environmental Startups
The MoveNow Social Innovation Challenge funds youth-led ventures, nonprofits and unregistered initiatives anywhere in the world. Entrants must be 18 to 30 and be the founder or a leader with decision-making authority. Entries are judged in three categories: financial confidence in the digital economy, equality in health ecosystems, and community-led climate resilience, from early warning to resilient livelihoods. Each category awards one US$10,000 grant and four US$5,000 grants. Entries from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran and Venezuela are not accepted. Submissions close on 18 December 2026. Details here
Algalita Wayfinder Society — Student Mini-Grants
Algalita’s Wayfinder Society awards 10 mini-grants of US$500 each to students aged 11 to 25 anywhere in the world who are developing or leading projects that address the root causes of plastic pollution. Eligible projects include campus reuse systems, fix-it clinics, cleanup campaigns tied to data collection, education workshops, policy advocacy and creative communication. Winners get mentorship from Algalita staff, periodic check-ins and social media coverage. Applications close on 15 January 2027. Student Mini-Grants
Coca-Cola Foundation — Water Projects for Communities
The Coca-Cola Foundation’s priority areas for grant-making are women, well-being, and water. Past projects include grants for access to clean water and sanitation; watershed management in water-stressed areas; multiple-use systems for water; and education and awareness in water conservation. Grants are generally made to tax-exempt nonprofit charitable organizations. Grant seekers apply for cash grants or fund-raising sponsorships. Coca-Cola’s regional and country foundations share these global priorities and add others, mainly in areas of education, health, and environment. Applications can be submitted at any time. Link
Climate Technology Initiative — Funding for Climate or Clean Energy Projects
The Climate Technology Initiative (CTI PFAN) provides funding to climate or clean energy projects. PFAN accepts applications for projects in low- and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. Projects may request between US$1 million and US$50 million. Projects providing energy access or rural electrification (clean cookstoves, solar home systems, mini-grids) may request smaller sums between US$500 thousand and US$50 million. Proposals are invited from companies, individuals, or legal persons; public-private partnerships; and entities that are legally structured to redistribute profits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Climate Technology Initiative
Global EbA Fund — Small Grants for Scaling Ecosystem-based Adaptation
The Global EbA Fund invites proposals that remove the barriers to scaling ecosystem-based adaptation. Projects can strengthen institutional and technical capacity, build evidence and learning networks, prepare investment-ready concepts, adapt proven technologies or fund applied research. Grants are up to US$250,000 for projects of up to 24 months. The call focuses on Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. NGOs, community and Indigenous organisations, universities, research institutes, private companies, and international and intergovernmental organisations can apply, alone or in consortia. Projects must build on existing work and partner with local institutions. Applications are open until 26 October 2026. Ecosystem-based Adaptation
MIT Solve — Global Climate Challenge 2027
MIT Solve invites individuals, nonprofits and companies worldwide to submit tech-based solutions that help communities adapt to a warming climate and cut emissions from how people live and eat. Its focus areas are low-carbon, climate-resilient cities, protection from heat, floods, drought and wildfire, climate-resilient or nature-positive agrifood systems, and sustainable use of ocean and coastal systems. Solutions must be at prototype, pilot, growth or scale stage. Every selected team receives a US$10,000 Solver Award and joins a nine-month support program. The sponsored prizes relevant to this challenge include US$150,000 for climate-positive food systems, up to US$100,000 for ocean innovation from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and up to US$100,000 for scale-ready marine technology from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. Applications are online and close on 02 November 2026. MIT Solve Global Climate Challenge
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation — Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative for Migratory Shorebird Conservation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation invites proposals to conserve three migratory shorebirds along the Atlantic flyway: the American oystercatcher, whimbrel and red knot. Priority sites include the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts and wintering sites in the Caribbean and South America. Topics include monitoring and tracking, habitat management, designating new Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites, and filling gaps on non-breeding red knots and whimbrels in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Most awards will be US$75,000 to US$200,000, over one to three years, and the foundation expects to make four to six. US nonprofits, government agencies, tribal organisations, schools and international organisations can apply. Full proposals are due on 05 November 2026. Migratory Shorebird Conservation
Japan Fund for Global Environment — Environmental Conservation Grants 2027
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 16 November 2026. Environmental Conservation Grants