The Loyola Foundation supports family-based charitable organizations in less developed countries worldwide. Past grants have helped finance the installation of solar power plants, water wells, or the construction of churches, schools, and health clinics. Generally, the Foundation accepts requests up to US$20 thousand. Projects must be part of an overseas catholic mission activity. Completed applications must be received by 31 March and 30 September 2025. Link
energy
Nigeria Energy Forum — Africa Energy Innovation Competition 2024
NEF invites applications for the Africa Energy Ideas Competition which aims to accelerate the development of early-stage energy firms across Africa. The competition is open to early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa to collaborate with local research institutions or industries. Young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 years from Africa are invited to participate and nominate a relevant local research institution or organization. Winners will pitch their proposed prototype model at the 2024 Nigeria Energy Forum, in Lagos (Nigeria) and a cash prize of up to $10 thousand. The deadline for proposal submission is 30 September 2024. Click here
Echoing Green — Fellowships 2025
Echoing Green helps emerging social entrepreneurs around the world with grants of seed capital and technical assistance to support their start-up organizations. Seed funding of up to US$80 thousand over 18 months is offered to for-profit organizations through recoverable grants. Past fellowships include examples in renewable energy, waste management, smallholder farming, climate change, and other societal challenges in developing countries. Applications are due on 08 October 2024. Echoing Green Fellowships
Acumen Fund — India Fellows Program 2025
The Acumen Fund promotes the power of social innovation to create solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. The India Fellows Program is designed to equip local leaders with the tools, mindset, and community to tackle poverty and injustice in their communities. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other areas. The fellowship is a mix of offline and online seminars, involving a time commitment of approximately 30 days in the year. The application deadline is 30 October 2024. India Fellows
African Development Bank — Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellowship 2025
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation financially supports the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship position in the African Development Bank. The Fellowship allows talented individuals to increase and enhance their professional capacity, with the intention of contributing to the governance and development of their countries. The priority for the 2025 selection of the Mo Ibrahim Fellow includes energy (“powering Africa”); agriculture (“feeding Africa”); and others. The Fellowship is for young professionals, mid-career, and/or new executives who are nationals of an African country, residing anywhere in the world. The application deadline is 20 November 2024. More
U.S. Agency for International Development — Development Innovation Ventures
USAID sponsors Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) to identify, develop, test, and scale innovative approaches in development. DIV’s portfolio includes projects across the range of USAID’s program areas – including in agriculture, energy, climate change, water, waste management, and others related to natural resources and the environment. Applicants may apply for any of the three following stages: Proof of Concept (Up to US$200 thousand for up to 3 years), Testing and Positioning for Scale (US$200 thousand to $1.5 million for up to 3 years), and Scaling (US$1.5 million to US$15 million for up to 5 years). Proposals are accepted year-round, from any type of organization (including private businesses, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, foundations, civic groups, regional organizations, and international organizations), in any country. Link
Australian Government — Australia Awards Scholarships
The Australian government contributes to the education of talented individuals in developing countries through scholarship programs. Subject areas for study correspond to priorities of Australia’s aid programs by regions and countries — and include agriculture, energy, natural resources, and environment. Australian organizations can request funding of up to A$34,500 per Fellow. The call lists countries that are eligible for Australia Awards Scholarships, and country-specific eligibility criteria. Applications will close on 13 October 2024. Australia Awards Scholarships
Conrad Foundation — Spirit of Innovation Challenge 2024-2025
The Spirit of Innovation Challenge is a worldwide competition for youth ages 13-18 to create commercially viable products or services to address issues of global sustainability. Categories include “Energy and Environment”. Ideas are submitted by student teams, which can be international, if desired. There is a fee for team registration (discounted rates may apply for qualified title one schools or special circumstances). The winning teams are offered seed money to continue the development of their ideas. The application deadline for the activation stage (phase 1) is 01 November 2024. Link to the challenge
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation — Environmental Photography Award
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (PA2F) Environmental Photography Award aims to reward photographers who put their creativity to good use in raising awareness on environmental protection. Photographers are invited to reflect on our relationship towards nature and the interrelation between human health and planetary health. Images can be entered in 5 categories: Polar Wonders, Beneath the Canopy, Life under the Surface, Humanity versus Nature, and Towards a Sustainable Future. The grand prize winner receives €5 thousand, each category winner receives €1 thousand. The closing date for entries is 03 November 2024. Environmental Photography Award
Environmental Research & Education Foundation — Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research Program
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) seeks applications for the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research Program in North America. Pre-proposals must relate to sustainable solid waste management practices in the topic areas of waste conversion to energy, biological conversion technologies, and recycling, among others. Previously awarded grants have ranged from $15 thousand to over $500 thousand with an average grant size of about $160 thousand for 2 years. There are no restrictions in regard to geographic location. EREF has two deadlines per year with pre-proposals being accepted 15 days prior to the deadline date. The next application deadlines are 01 December 2024 and 01 May 2025. Find out how to apply for a grant