The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invites nominations for the 2026 Champions of the Earth award, which represents the UN’s highest environmental honor. The 2026 edition specifically focuses on leaders, organizations, and government entities worldwide that are driving efforts to protect and restore ocean health, including work in pollution prevention, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable blue economies. Candidates may be nominated in four categories: Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation. While the award provides global recognition and a platform to scale environmental solutions rather than a direct cash grant, it serves as a transformative career and organizational milestone. The deadline for nominations is 15 April 2026. UN Champions of the Earth
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United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification — Media Reporting Fellowship
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) invite journalists to apply for a fellowship to cover the COP17 conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The program is open to professional staff or freelance journalists who work with recognized media outlets and are based in countries affected by desertification, land degradation, or drought. Six selected fellows will receive fully funded support, including return economy-class airfare to Mongolia, accommodation, and media accreditation to the conference. Participants will attend pre-conference virtual briefings, engage in a field visit with local communities, and are expected to produce at least three independent stories related to land restoration and drought resilience. The application deadline is 15 April 2026. COP17 Reporting Fellowship
Earth Journalism Network — Ocean Conference Fellowship
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications from journalists to attend the 2026 Our Ocean Conference. The fellowship program supports professional journalists from low- and middle-income countries, with a particular focus on those from the Global South, to report on ocean conservation and marine policy. Selected fellows receive full sponsorship to attend the conference, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and travel insurance. In addition to covering the event, participants engage in preparatory workshops and receive mentorship from experienced environmental editors to strengthen their reporting on topics such as sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, and climate resilience. The application deadline is 15 April 2026. Ocean Conference Fellowships
Halcyon — Caribbean Climate Pre-Accelerator
Halcyon offers a six-month hybrid program to support early-stage climate founders in the Caribbean. The initiative is open to for-profit startups and social enterprises based in the region that are developing scalable solutions for climate adaptation and resilience. Selected ventures receive a US$6 thousand equity-free stipend, US$10 thousand in Amazon Web Services credits, and access to expert workshops and professional advisors. The deadline to submit the initial eligibility form is 17 April 2026. Caribbean Climate Pre-Accelerator
Global Development Network — Social Sciences in Images
The Global Development Network (GDN) invites young social science researchers from Francophone Africa to participate in the “Convergences: Social Sciences in Images” competition. This initiative encourages researchers to translate their scientific findings into visual formats such as infographics, drawings, illustrations, mind maps, or comic strips. Winners will receive an invitation to the 2026 GDN Regional Conference, participate in creative and research capacity-building workshops, and have their work featured in an international traveling exhibition. The program aims to promote open science and the intersection of research and creation. The deadline for submitting entries is 30 April 2026. Know more
Pulitzer Center — Impact Seed Fund
The Pulitzer Center invites applications for its Impact Seed Fund, which supports university educators and researchers in using Pulitzer Center-supported journalism to develop educational and engagement initiatives on environmental issues. The program focuses on topics such as oceans, rainforests, climate change, and transparency and governance, aiming to enrich academic discourse and community knowledge. Eligible applicants must be university professors or researchers based in Africa, Latin America, or Southeast Asia. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$4,000 to cover project costs, with implementation expected within six to eight months. The deadline for applications is 19 April 2026 for Africa and Latin America, and 03 May 2026 for Southeast Asia. Impact Seed Fund
Toilet Board Coalition — Virtual Program
The Toilet Board Coalition invites applications for its Accelerator Program, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises developing sanitation and hygiene solutions. The program provides business mentorship, strategic coaching, and access to a network of investors to help businesses scale their impact in the circular sanitation economy. Eligible applicants must be registered for-profit SMEs operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. While the program does not provide direct grant funding, it facilitates connections to potential investors and partners to help secure financing. The application deadline is 30 April 2026. Know more
Coimbra Group — Scholarship Program for Sub-Saharan Africa
The Coimbra Group offers short-term research grants to early-career scholars from higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The program enables researchers to visit a participating European university for one to three months to further their research and develop academic collaborations. Applicants must be staff members at a Sub-Saharan African university. Funding amounts vary by host university, with many providing monthly stipends ranging from €750 to €1,500, often supplemented by travel allowances or accommodation. The deadline for applications for the 2026/2027 academic year is 10 May 2026. Coimbra Group
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Graduate Researchers Award 2026
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) invites nominations for its annual award recognizing master’s and PhD students who use biodiversity data in innovative research. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a graduate program and be citizens of a GBIF participant country or studying at an institution within one. The program provides two prizes of €5,000 each for research that demonstrates discovery in biodiversity informatics, such as taxonomy, ecology, or biogeography. The final deadline to submit nominations is 29 May 2026. Graduate Researchers Award
Photography 4 Humanity — Photography Competition
Photography 4 Humanity invites amateur and professional photographers worldwide to submit images for its 2026 Global Prize. This year’s theme, “HOME,” asks artists to explore concepts of safety, belonging, and identity in a world shaped by climate change and displacement. The competition is open to individuals at least 18 years of age, and entrants may submit up to five photographs taken within the last three years. The Global Prize recipient receives a US$5 thousand cash award, and their work will be exhibited at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Human Rights Day. The deadline for submissions is 12 July 2026. Photography 4 Humanity