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$10 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 12 December 2025. Link to Social Shifters
early-career
United Nations — Local Pathways Fellowship
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) recruits participants for its 2026 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. The 10-months fellowship program provides young leaders with a platform, capacity building, training opportunities and contacts of leading development experts and practitioners. The Local Pathways Fellowship is unpaid. Fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure. Young candidates (18-30 years) working towards achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals and representing any city or country in the world are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 21 December 2025. Link to Local Pathways
Morris Animal Foundation — Veterinary Student Scholar Program
The Morris Animal Foundation supports research on animal health and welfare, including wildlife/exotics. The Foundation provides veterinary students with the opportunity to become involved in mentored research that advances the health and/or welfare of companion animals and wildlife exotics. The Veterinary Student Scholars program awards stipends up to US$5 thousand to veterinary students. The program is open to currently enrolled veterinary students from all around the world. Applications are due 14 January 2026. Veterinary Student Scholar Program
Aspire Institute — Leaders Program for First-generation University Students
The Aspire Leaders Program provides academic and professional development resources to students who are from backgrounds of social and financial adversity. All applicants must be between the ages of 18-26, come from a low-income background and be the first generation to attend university. Through the program, students will gain access to fully-funded HarvardX courses and participate in live seminars with Harvard University. Eligibility extends to students from all around the world as long as they are enrolled in an undergraduate program or have recently graduated (within three years). The application deadline is 21 January 2026. Aspire Leaders Program
American Ornithological Society — Student and Postdoctoral Research
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) makes student grants of up to $4,000 to support research in various areas of avian biology by undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs. AOS encourages undergraduate students from any region to apply. Applicants must be members of AOS. Latin American students are particularly encouraged to apply for the Alexander Wetmore Memorial Research Award for research in avian systematics, paleo-ornithology, biogeography, and especially neotropical biology. Other AOS grant programs may also be of international relevance. Applications are due by 30 January 2026. AOS Research Awards
Neotropical Grassland Conservancy — Student Grant Program
The Neotropical Grassland Conservancy (NGC) supports Latin American students studying at universities in the U.S. or South America. It funds basic research expenses like transport, lodging, meals and field supplies. Selected students receive a one-time payment of US$1,500. The program also offers the Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award, providing US$500 annually to one exceptional awardee. The next application deadline is 01 December 2025. Student Grant Program
CIRES — Visiting Fellows Program
The CIRES Visiting Fellows Program invites early-career postdocs and senior scientists on sabbatical to engage in interdisciplinary environmental research at the University of Colorado Boulder in collaboration with CIRES and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Postdoctoral fellowships run for up to two years with an annual salary of US$70 thousand in the first year plus a research budget of up to US$8 thousand, relocation stipend, and provided laptop. Eligible applicants must be within four years of completing their PhD, hold a doctorate in a CIRES-relevant field, and have a CIRES researcher sponsor. Applications are due 01 January 2026. CIRES Visiting Fellows Program
Rice University — Business Plan Competition for Early-Stage Startups
The Rice University (Texas, USA) invites student teams to participate in the Rice Business Plan Competition 2025. Entrepreneurs receive the opportunity to pitch their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and enhance their startup strategy. Typically, startups have a technology component in Energy/Clean Technology; Life Science/Biotechnology; or Digital Services. The competition is open to degree-seeking students currently enrolled at a college or university anywhere in the world. The grand prize winner receives up to $300 thousand in investments. The application deadline is 31 January 2026. Business Plan Competition
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
Harvard University — Award for Student Research on Asian Tropical Forest Biology
The Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University sponsors the Ashton Award for Student Research to support graduate and advanced undergraduate students working on Asian tropical forest biology. Applications are accepted from advanced undergraduates and graduate students worldwide. Awards are up to US$4 thousand to support research expenses. The application deadline is 01 February 2026. About the Ashton Award