The journal Forests invites nominations for its annual award recognizing outstanding research published in the field of forest science. The competition is open to authors of research or review articles published in the journal during the 2025 calendar year. The editorial board selects winners based on the scientific merit and impact of the work. The program offers a prize of CHF 500 and a certificate, along with an opportunity to publish one additional paper free of charge in the journal after peer review. The deadline for nominations is 31 May 2026. Best PhD Thesis Award
early-career
Africa Centre for Energy Policy — Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge 2026
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) invites applications for the Future Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge. The program is open to young African innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are developing sustainable energy solutions to address energy poverty and climate change across the continent. Selected participants receive technical mentorship, access to industry networks, and a grant of US$5 thousand to pilot or scale their innovations. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and residents of an African country. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Energy Innovation Challenge
Audi Environmental Foundation — One Young World Scholarship
The Audi Environmental Foundation offers scholarships for young leaders dedicated to accelerating social and environmental change. The program is open to individuals aged 18 to 30 from all countries who demonstrate leadership skills and a commitment to creating positive impact through new technologies or innovative solutions. Selected scholars receive full funding to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026, including travel, accommodation, and catering, as well as access to a global network of peers and mentors. Applications must be submitted by 01 June 2026. One Young World Scholarship
MDPI — Forest Young Investigator Award
MDPI, a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals, invites applications and nominations for the Forest 2026 Young Investigator Award. The winner will receive CHF 1000. This prize will be given to one young investigator in recognition of their excellence in the field of sustainability and sustainable development. Candidates must be under 35 years and be nominated by senior researchers. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2026. Forest Young Investigator Award
UNESCO — Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest
UNESCO invites photographers aged 14 to 25 to participate in the Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest. This competition encourages young people to document the shared heritage and cultural interactions along the historic Silk Roads, with the current cycle focusing on the theme “Life on the Silk Roads.” Participation is divided into two categories based on age: 14 to 17 years old and 18 to 25 years old. Three winners from each category will receive professional photography equipment, and approximately 60 selected photographs will be featured in a traveling exhibition and a commemorative photo album. The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2026. Silk Roads Photo Contest
African Plant Nutrition Institute — Phosphorus Fellowship
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) accepts applications for the Young African Phosphorus Fellowship. This program aims to support early-career scientists working in African National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems institutions or universities who are conducting innovative research on phosphorus management in African agro-ecosystems. APNI will award up to five fellowships of US$5,000 each. Applicants must be full-time scientists at an African NARES institution or university. The application deadline is 07 July 2026. Phosphorus Fellowship
Global Landscapes Forum — Restoration Stewards
The Restoration Stewards program supports the work of young restoration practitioners and their teams through funding, mentorship, and training to deepen the impact of youth-led restoration projects. Teams receive a grant of €5 thousand to develop their restoration project and raise awareness among their local communities about the importance of ecosystem restoration and healthy landscapes. Projects may focus on preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. The application deadline is 31 July 2026. Restoration Stewards Program
Royal Geographical Society — Gilchrist Fieldwork Award
The Royal Geographical Society invites applications for the Gilchrist Fieldwork Award. The aim of the award is to support challenging overseas fieldwork projects carried out by a team of university academics and researchers. The team should comprise up to 10 members, the majority of whom should be British. Previous winning themes include climate change, ecosystem function, climate science, and ocean circulation. The biennial award offers £15 thousand. The deadline for applications is 16 November 2026. More
Association of Commonwealth Universities — Fellowships
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) provides fellowships for the academic and professional staff to facilitate collaboration at a distance and the creation of valuable new partnerships between ACU member universities across the Commonwealth. ACU provides financial support of up to £5,000 per fellowship. Applications close on 25 June 2026. ACU Fellowships
Hawk Conservancy Trust — Marion Paviour Award
The Hawk Conservancy Trust supports early-career researchers working on projects focused on the conservation and/or research of birds of prey. The maximum award amount is £1,000. Preference will be given to those applying for support for fieldwork, conference fees to present work, or travel costs (for fieldwork or conference attendance). Applications close on 31 August 2026. About the award