The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) hosts a three-day virtual media workshops for journalists in Ghana, Mexico and the Philippines to strengthen their knowledge of the 30×30 marine conservation target and initiatives being implemented to reach it. Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other media practitioners with experience covering ocean issues. EJN seeks to award 25 grants to journalists to support in-depth reporting. The application deadline is 16 December 2025. Details here
individuals
SparkUp Initiative — Fundraising Workshop
SparkUp Initiative offers a fellowship that helps women-led NGOs and grassroots organizations worldwide build their fundraising and project-development capacities. Participants receive training in crafting effective fundraising strategies, writing grant proposals for international foundations and public institutions, and exploring crowdfunding and digital fundraising. The program is open to women-led organizations from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. The next application deadline is 20 December 2025. Link
United Nations — Local Pathways Fellowship
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) recruits participants for its 2026 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. The 10-months fellowship program provides young leaders with a platform, capacity building, training opportunities and contacts of leading development experts and practitioners. The Local Pathways Fellowship is unpaid. Fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure. Young candidates (18-30 years) working towards achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals and representing any city or country in the world are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 21 December 2025. Link to Local Pathways
Yale University — Young Global Scholars Program
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers two-week academic summer programs for high school students from all around the world. The program offers four interdisciplinary sessions on campus at Yale (USA), including sessions on Innovations in Science & Technology and Solving Global Challenges. YYGS offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid. Furthermore, YYGS will waive the application fee if it constitutes a significant financial burden for the student’s family. The application deadline is 07 January 2026. About Yale Young Global Scholars
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Capacity Enhancement Support Program 2026
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) welcomes proposals for funding under the 2022 Capacity Enhancement Support Program, which seeks to enhance the long-term capacity of GBIF participants through collaborative projects. The program provides co-funding to current GBIF participants. The maximum funding request is €20 thousand per project. Concept notes must be submitted by 19 January 2026. Capacity Enhancement Support Program
American Ornithological Society — Student and Postdoctoral Research
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) makes student grants of up to $4,000 to support research in various areas of avian biology by undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs. AOS encourages undergraduate students from any region to apply. Applicants must be members of AOS. Latin American students are particularly encouraged to apply for the Alexander Wetmore Memorial Research Award for research in avian systematics, paleo-ornithology, biogeography, and especially neotropical biology. Other AOS grant programs may also be of international relevance. Applications are due by 30 January 2026. AOS Research Awards
European Commission — Zukunftskolleg Konnect Fellowships
The European Commission, through the Euraxess initiative, offers the Zukunftskolleg Konnect Fellowships to support researchers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. ZUKOnnect aims to extend research networks and environments through on-campus research stays at thirteen departments of the University of Konstanz. Subject areas include ecology, limnology, ecotoxicology, botany, amongst many others. The fellowship offers a stipend of €1,300/month for doctoral students and €2,000/month for postdoctoral researchers, as well as travel expenses and access to resources and events. The deadline for applications is 01 February 2026. Zukunftskolleg Konnect Fellowships
Aga Khan Foundation — International Scholarships
The Aga Khan Foundation supports programs in rural development, broadly defined, in several developing countries. It provides scholarships and loans for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from the developing world, with priority for master’s studies. The Foundation also considers applications for PhD programs in certain circumstances. Applications are invited from the following nationalities: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. Please note that half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be reimbursed. The application deadline is 01 February 2026, but earlier in some countries (please check the dates carefully). About the Fellowships
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association — PhD scholarships 2026
The BRIDGES Research Program offers fully funded PhD scholarships for three-year doctoral projects focused on marine social-ecological systems in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Each selected PhD receives a research budget of €20 thousand. Candidates may propose multidisciplinary research, including data-collection and monitoring, social-ecological modeling, vulnerability assessment, governance and transformation of marine/coastal systems. The call closes 13 February 2026. BRIDGES Research Program
Global Water Intelligence — Global Water Awards 2026
Nominations are open for the annual Global Water Awards 2026. Global Water Intelligence seeks technologies, plants, projects, and companies that make significant contributions to the development of the water sector. Focus areas include water or wastewater treatment, water conservation and management, ecologically sustainable industry technologies, and commercial solutions, among others. Nominations are open to everyone (including individuals, companies, organizations, or initiatives etc.). Nominations close on 27 February 2026. Find the call