The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) invites nominations for its annual award recognizing master’s and PhD students who use biodiversity data in innovative research. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a graduate program and be citizens of a GBIF participant country or studying at an institution within one. The program provides two prizes of €5,000 each for research that demonstrates discovery in biodiversity informatics, such as taxonomy, ecology, or biogeography. The final deadline to submit nominations is 29 May 2026. Graduate Researchers Award
early-career
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research — Fellowship Program
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) enables early-career researchers to join a project team from another country for research activities that further our understanding of Antarctica. The fellowship is for PhD students to undertake research at major international laboratories, field facilities, or institutes in SCAR member countries. Applicants should be citizens of both a World Meteorological Organization member country and a developing economy. SCAR will offer three to four fellowships of up to US$15 thousand each. The deadline for fellowship applications is 04 September 2026. Find details
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Young Forest Champions
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) invites nominations for the Young Forest Champions initiative. This program recognizes individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who lead innovative projects in forest monitoring using geospatial technology to support climate action. Eligible applicants include individual forest practitioners, researchers, and community leaders from Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Uganda, or Zambia, with a specific focus on those contributing to indigenous and local community efforts. Selected champions receive a US$10 thousand grant to scale their projects, along with technical mentorship and an invitation to participate in the XVIV IUFRO World Congress. The application deadline is 21 March 2026. Young Forest Champions
OPEC Fund for International Development — Young Professional Development Program
The Young Professional Development Program (YPDP) is a two-year program designed to prepare young professionals from OPEC Fund member countries for a career in global development. The themes include poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development, environment, and other related science and technology fields. YPDP offers training, coaching and mentoring, the opportunity to experience different departments and access to professional networks. To be selected for the program, applicants must be 30 years of age (or younger) and hold a Master’s degree. The deadline for applications is 11 April 2026. More about the YPDP
VivaTech — Next Startupper Award
VivaTech organizes the Next Startupper Award to celebrate student entrepreneurs driving positive change through technological innovation. The competition is open to current students from any country who have founded a tech-oriented startup or project less than three years ago that demonstrates a clear social or environmental impact. Finalists receive four-day VIP speaker passes to the event in Paris and the opportunity to pitch their solutions to industry experts. The grand prize winner receives a €5,000 cash prize and a dedicated startup corner at the 2027 edition of VivaTech. The deadline for applications is 09 March 2026. More information
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association — Marine Research Grant
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), in partnership with the Blue Nature Alliance, invites proposals for research aimed at strengthening marine conservation finance systems in the Western Indian Ocean. This thematic call seeks to generate actionable evidence on sustainable financing mechanisms to support national and regional frameworks, particularly in relation to biodiversity targets and blue economy strategies. Eligibility is restricted to Early Career Ocean Professionals as well as current Master’s and PhD students. While the specific grant amount for this thematic call is detailed in the full guidelines, the MARG program typically provides small-scale funding to support field-based research. Applications must be submitted by 30 March 2026. Marine Research Grant
United Nations University — PhD Internships in Economics
UNU-WIDER (World Institute for Development Economics Research) invites applications for its PhD research internship program in Helsinki, Finland. Preference is for applicants who live or work in developing countries, and who are in the later stages of their PhD. Program themes in WIDER include the economics of energy, climate change, food security, and others. UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant and a monthly stipend of €1,850 during the period of the fellowship. Deadlines for submission of applications are 31 March and 30 September each year. Know more about the 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 13 April 2026. Aspire Leaders Program
United Nations — Climate Ambition Accelerator
The United Nations Global Compact invites companies participating in the UN Global Compact to join the 2026 Climate Ambition Accelerator. This six-month programme aims to (1) equip businesses with the knowledge and skills to set science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway and (2) support their journey towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Participants will benefit from global best practices, peer-to-peer learning, practical activities, capacity-building sessions, and on-demand training. The deadline for receiving applications is 30 April 2026. More information
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences — International Awards for Young Agricultural Researchers 2026
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan make research awards in agriculture. Up to three young agricultural researchers with outstanding research proposals in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related themes will receive US$5 thousand each to further their research. Applicants must be nationals of a developing country, and belong to a non-Japanese research institute or a non-Japanese university. Candidates need to be younger than age 40 to be eligible. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2026. Awards for Young Agricultural Researchers