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 30 November 2026. Aspire Leaders Program
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Mangrove Breakthrough — Mangrove Conservation and Restoration
Mangrove Breakthrough seeks projects worldwide that protect, restore or support mangrove ecosystems. Eligible proposals include mangrove restoration or conservation; blue-carbon finance; biodiversity or climate-linked crediting mechanisms; community-based livelihood or stewardship initiatives; nature-tech or monitoring tools for mangrove health; and sustainable businesses tied to mangrove landscapes (e.g. fisheries, coastal agriculture, eco-tourism). Successful submissions gain visibility, exposure at global climate events, and access to investors or funders. The deadline to submit the Expression of Interest is 30 December 2026. Link to more details
Learning Planet Institute — Youth Design Challenge
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, and environment and climate. The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 07 January 2027. Youth Design Challenge
Right Livelihood Award — Annual Nominations 2027
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
Mercedes-Benz — beVisioneers Fellowship
Mercedes-Benz invites young environmental innovators to apply for beVisioneers, a two-year fellowship combining innovation training, venture coaching, mentorship, and project scholarships of up to €15,000, along with a needs-based cost-of-living stipend and financial support for participation costs like laptops or internet access. Applicants must be aged 18 to 28 on the application closing date, reside in an eligible country for at least 9 months of the fellowship year, and implement their project in that same country. The deadline is 31 January 2027. beVisioneers
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
Effective Altruism Funds — Animal Welfare Fund
EA Funds invites applications for its Animal Welfare Fund, supporting projects that improve the well-being of nonhuman animals, with particular interest in neglected geographic regions or species, promising research into animal advocacy or welfare, and other high-impact opportunities. Grants range from $1,000 to $500,000, with no registered charity status required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Animal Welfare Fund
UAE Water Aid — Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award
UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) invites nominations for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The award supports research and development of new and innovative technologies that produce, distribute, and purify water using renewable energy to support poverty- and disaster-stricken communities worldwide. Prizes vary according to category from US$20 thousand to US$150 thousand. Suqia invites corporations, research centers, institutions, innovators and youth from around the world, whose novel technologies provide solutions to the challenges of water scarcity, to participate in the awards. The deadline for nominations is 30 September 2026. Visit Suqia
AfricaLics — PhD Visiting Fellowship Program 2027
The African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems (AfricaLics) seeks PhD students from universities in Africa to participate in the AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Program focused on Innovation and Development. The visiting fellowship program intends to increase international mobility and provide PhD students with global knowledge in the field of innovation and development (which includes a four-month study stay in South Africa). The scholarship is open to PhD students from low- and lower-middle-income countries in Africa. The deadline for the submission of applications is 02 October 2026. Details here
Society for Conservation Biology — Graduate Student Research Fellowship
The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) supports graduate students whose research advances the science and practice of conserving biological diversity. The Fellowship Awards will support field work, including travel, materials or equipment required to conduct research. Students must demonstrate financial need toward completion of a graduate degree to receive US$1,000 in support of their research project. The deadline to submit your materials is 15 October 2026. Know more