The Right Livelihood Awards are annually made to individuals and organizations offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. The Award is sometimes referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” Past laureates include several whose work in issues of environment and natural resources advances social justice and grassroots development in the developing world. Normally, the Foundation makes three cash awards and one honorary award each year. Nominations are invited from anyone worldwide (excluding self-nominations, close relatives, and Foundation staff and jury). The deadline for nominations is 24 January 2027. Nominate
forests
Kellogg School of Management — Sustainable Investing Challenge
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge invites teams of graduate students from around the world to develop and pitch creative financial approaches and solutions to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. Graduate students from around the world are invited to participate. The overall winning team receives US$10 thousand and the runner-up receives US$5 thousand. Teams must register in advance to request a mentor that gives them feedback on their proposal prior to submission. The deadline for submission of project ideas is 14 February 2027. Sustainable Investing Challenge
World Academy of Sciences — Research Cooperation Visits Program
TWAS-SISSA-Lincei invites young scientists from least-developed countries to carry out collaborative research projects in Physics, Neuroscience, Mathematics, and Science Outreach as well as projects that fall under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scientists have the opportunity to visit research laboratories in Trieste (Italy) to carry out research work in scientific fields within the SISSA portfolio. TWAS will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Italy. The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 October 2026. More
Roger Williams Park Zoo — Danforth Conservation Grants
The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund makes grants of up to US$1 thousand to protect threatened wildlife and habitats worldwide. Priority is for projects that demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to ecosystem conservation, and that involve in-country collaborators. Projects must directly affect biological conservation. Applicants can be of any nationality but must be associated with an organization (non-profit, university, etc.) through which they can receive funding. The application deadline is 01 January 2027. About the conservation grants
iF International Forum Design GmbH — Student Design Award
The iF Student Design Award recognizes students and their future-oriented concepts that aim to solve a global development challenge. The best concepts earn a share of €50 thousand. All winners will be honored with a two-day event in Istanbul. Students and recent graduates of all design-related courses and programs are welcome to register their concepts. The registration deadline for participation is 03 February 2027. iF Student Design Award
National Geographic Society — Slingshot Challenge
The National Geographic Society seeks applications for its Slingshot Challenge. The challenge invites 13–18-year-olds to submit a 1-minute video describing their idea for solving environmental issues. Video submissions must be in English or Spanish. Subtitles are not required but are allowed. National Geographic will select a small number of submissions to receive up to US$10 thousand in funding. Submissions are due by 05 February 2027. Know more
Smithsonian Institution — Fellowship Program
The Smithsonian Institution offers in-residence fellowships for independent research using Smithsonian collections and facilities, open to graduate students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral and senior researchers, in fields including ecology and environmental science, evolutionary biology, earth sciences, and anthropology, alongside various humanities disciplines. Stipends range from US$10,000 for a ten-week graduate fellowship to US$60,000 per year for senior and postdoctoral fellowships, plus a research allowance. There is no stated citizenship or nationality restriction. The deadline is 15 October 2026. Smithsonian Fellowship
Planet Forward — Student Environmental Storytelling Contest
George Washington University’s Planet Forward invites enrolled or recently graduated post-secondary students to submit environmental storytelling entries — short video, social video, written story, or multimedia — on topics including food, water, energy, biodiversity, and climate justice. Six winners across categories receive a fully paid trip to Alaska’s Inside Passage with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. Applicants must be enrolled students or within six months of graduation, aged 18+. The deadline is 15 January 2027. Environmental Storytelling Contest
Garden Club of America — Awards in Tropical Botany and Horticulture
The Garden Club of America (GCA) offers several grants, prizes, and fellowships for students enrolled at universities in the USA, including some awards that have a tropical focus. The GCA Awards in Tropical Botany are open to PhD candidates (application deadline is 15 January); the Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship in Tropical Horticulture is restricted to U.S. citizens who are graduate students or advanced undergraduate students (deadline is 15 January). The Anne Chatham Fellowship in Medicinal Botany is open to PhD students and recent PhD graduates (deadline is 31 January). Applicants should review all programs, criteria, and deadlines. Botany and Horticulture Scholarships
Pulitzer Center — Global South Civil Society Microgrants
The Pulitzer Center invites civil society organizations in the Global South to apply for microgrants supporting civic engagement projects. Eligible projects use at least one published Pulitzer Center story to advance public understanding on one of three focus areas: rainforest degradation and Indigenous rights, ocean health and marine governance, or the intersection of climate and labor, including gender and community resilience. Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Eligible applicants are grassroots organizations, civil society coalitions, youth movements, and community educators with prior experience running civic engagement activities in the Global South, particularly Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The application deadline is 06 September 2026. Civil Society Microgrants