UNESCO awards US$50 thousand to each of five laureates, one from each world region (Africa, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean), in recognition of young scientists under 40 whose work in STEM research, STEM education and innovation, or international cooperation advances the Sustainable Development Goals. Applications and nominations are submitted in English or French through the prize portal by 30 November 2026. Awards for Young Scientists in STEM
individuals
Alice McCosh Trust — Small Grants for Natural History and Environmental Work
The Alice McCosh Trust awards one-off grants of around £1,000 to advance education in natural history and the environment. Grants can cover fieldwork for a research project or the cost of producing materials that increase understanding of the environment or encourage people to protect it. Individuals of any age and nationality can apply. The application deadline is 30 November each year. Link
International Development Research Center — Research in Community Forestry 2026
The John G. Bene Fellowship is awarded to graduate students at Canadian universities who hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. The grant is for research on the relationship between forest resources and the social, economic, cultural, and environmental welfare of people in developing countries. Therefore, the student must spend a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks in the field in the following regions: Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Far Eastern Asia, Caribbean, Central America, South America, or Oceania. The award covers field research expenses up to CA$30 thousand per year. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to 30 November 2026. Community Forestry Fellowship
Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen — CrossCulture Program 2027
The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) seeks professionals and volunteers from South and Southeast Asia, Eurasia and Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia, and MENA countries to participate in a 2-3 months training program at host organizations in Germany or in CCP partner countries. Professional fellowships are being offered in Sustainable Development and five other fields. The Fellowship covers travel expenses, accommodation, insurance, and a monthly allowance of €650. The applicant must be between the ages of 23 and 45 and have at least two years of proven professional experience or volunteer work in a civil society organization in the country of origin. The deadline for application is 08 December 2026. About the program
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027
With funding from the UK’s Department for International Development, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are available to citizens of Commonwealth countries for master’s studies at UK universities, usually for one year. The participating academic programs include several subject areas such as environmental science and management, agroforestry, livestock management, remote sensing, disaster management, wetlands science, etc. The CSC lists the participating universities and their eligible courses. Potential applicants must check with the relevant UK university regarding their admission requirements and guidelines for applying. The deadline for scholarship applications is 08 December 2026. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
World Wildlife Fund — Master’s Fellowship
The World Wildlife Fund offers a master’s fellowship to Ugandan nationals researching human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. The research must focus on solutions to elephants raiding crops on farmland near the northern border of Murchison Falls National Park. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, ecology, conservation, zoology or geography. Fellows can request up to US$15,000 a year for up to two years, covering tuition and fees, living expenses, books and materials, and research costs. Applications close on 15 December 2026. WWF Master’s Fellowship
Allianz — Grants for Youth-Led Social and Environmental Startups
The MoveNow Social Innovation Challenge funds youth-led ventures, nonprofits and unregistered initiatives anywhere in the world. Entrants must be 18 to 30 and be the founder or a leader with decision-making authority. Entries are judged in three categories: financial confidence in the digital economy, equality in health ecosystems, and community-led climate resilience, from early warning to resilient livelihoods. Each category awards one US$10,000 grant and four US$5,000 grants. Entries from Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Iran and Venezuela are not accepted. Submissions close on 18 December 2026. Details here
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis — Young Scientists Summer Program 2027
IIASA invites doctoral students worldwide to participate in its Young Scientists Summer Program held at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis’s headquarters in Laxenburg, Austria. The selected participants work with IIASA’s senior scientists in research on energy, ecosystem services, water, risk policy and vulnerability, and other topics. Scholarships are available from IIASA’s national member organizations. A limited number of scholarships are available from other sources. The deadline for registrations to the 2027 program is 10 January 2027. Young Scientists Summer Program
WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award — Award in Leadership
The WIN WIN Award 2027 recognizes people and organizations reshaping how value is created and shared through business, finance, policy or new ideas, under the theme Re:economy: an economic system for human wellbeing within the planetary boundaries. The main prize is SEK 1 million, and the WIN WIN Youth Award of SEK 100,000 goes to changemakers aged 13–29. Anyone can nominate a candidate from any country, and an independent jury selects the laureates. Nominations are open until 10 January 2027. Award in Leadership
Stanford University — Summer Fellowships for Future Leaders 2027
The Draper Hills Summer Fellowship on Democracy and Development Program is a three-week academic training program for mid-career practitioners in the fields of democracy, development, and the rule of law. Applicants can be working as policy-makers, academics, legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, business entrepreneurs, and leaders of civil society organizations. Stanford will pay for accommodations, meals, and transportation costs during the duration of the program. A small travel fund is available for fellows who under no circumstances can support their travel. The application deadline is 12 January 2027. Find the Summer Fellowships