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
individuals
World Bank Group — Youth Summit 2026
The World Bank Group hosts the Youth Summit Pitch Competition to support young innovators developing solutions for the future of work. Individuals or teams of up to five members, aged 18 to 35, from World Bank member countries are eligible to apply with projects focused on education, entrepreneurship, or agriculture. While there is no direct cash prize, finalists receive travel support to present their ideas at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., along with specialized coaching and post-summit mentoring from International Finance Corporation (IFC) experts. The deadline for applications is 11 March 2026. Know more
Government of Ireland — International Education Scholarships 2026
The Government of Ireland invites applications for International Education Scholarships to support high-achieving students from non-EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The program is open to individuals who have secured an offer for a master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD program at an eligible Irish higher education institution. Each of the 60 annual scholarships provides a stipend of €10,000 for one year of full-time study, and the host institution provides a full tuition fee waiver for that year. The deadline for applications is 12 March 2026. International Education Scholarships
West Africa Civil Society Institute — Research Fellowship
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) invites applications for its Research Fellowship to strengthen the analytical and documentation skills of emerging scholars. The six-month program, running from May to October 2026, focuses on indigenous knowledge in biodiversity and conservation within the West African region. Applicants must be young researchers from Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Liberia, Nigeria, or Senegal. While the specific stipend amount is not detailed in the announcement, the fellowship provides professional development and the opportunity to contribute to WACSI’s mission of enhancing civil society. The deadline for applications is 13 March 2026. WACSI Research Fellowship
greenCHEM — Green Chemistry Innovation Program
greenCHEM invites applications to the Green Chemistry Innovation Program to fast-track the validation of green chemistry technologies and business models. The program is open to innovators worldwide, including early-stage scientific spinouts, researchers with unexploited patents, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Participants receive equity-free funding for up to 12 months, including monthly stipends of €2,500 for master’s degree holders or €3,000 for those with a PhD, plus up to €40 thousand for material and investment expenses. The program provides laboratory access in Berlin, mentorship, and support for housing and visas. The deadline for applications is 15 March 2026. Know more
Water Research Foundation — Tailored Collaboration Program
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) invites its subscribing utilities to submit pre-proposals for the Tailored Collaboration Program, which funds research projects addressing regional or utility-specific challenges. This matching grant program allows subscribers to partner with research institutions, consultants, or other technical organizations to conduct applied research on “One Water” topics such as water reuse, asset management, and emerging contaminants. To be eligible, a project must be sponsored by a utility with an active WRF subscription, and the utility must provide a cash match for the funds requested. WRF provides a one-to-one match of up to US$150 thousand per project. Pre-proposals for the 2026 funding cycle must be submitted by 17 March 2026. Click here
International Water Association — Project Innovation Award
The International Water Association (IWA) invites entries for its 2026 Project Innovation Awards, which recognize excellence in water management, research, and technology. The awards are open to organizations and teams worldwide that have delivered impactful projects across six categories, including drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, and water resources management. While the program does not provide a direct cash grant, winners receive global recognition, with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded at the IWA World Water Congress in Glasgow. Preliminary applications must be submitted by 27 March 2026. Project Innovation Award
United Nations Environment Program — Young Champions of the Earth
The Young Champions of the Earth honors environmental entrepreneurs with innovative ideas for the planet. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 from all global regions are eligible to apply, provided they have at least six months of experience working on their environmental project. Winners receive US$10 thousand in funding, along with mentorship, workshops, and a smartphone multimedia production kit to document their progress over a one-year period. Additionally, winners may compete in a pitch competition for a Planet A grant of up to US$100 thousand. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026. Young Champions of the Earth
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
United Nations University — Visiting PhD Fellowship
The Visiting PhD Fellowship Program gives registered doctoral students the opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research on developing economies. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program and have shown the ability to conduct research on developing economies. NU-WIDER provides a travel grant and a monthly stipend of €1,850 to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their fellowship. The deadline for submission of applications is 31 March 2026. UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship