The UNIDO-WTCA Blue Economy Global Call 2026 seeks to identify and promote innovative, scalable technologies that support a sustainable and resilient blue economy. The program is open to micro, small, medium, and large enterprises, startups, academic institutions, NGOs, and public-private partnerships globally, with a particular focus on projects benefiting developing countries and small island developing states. Six winners—one for each strategic category ranging from blue renewable energy to marine biotechnology—will receive entry into an acceleration program that includes high-level mentoring, technical cooperation, and international matchmaking services, as well as up to US$3 thousand in travel reimbursement for the award ceremony. Applications are due by 19 June 2026. Blue Economy Global Call
marine/coastal
National Geographic Society — Developing Future Ocean Stewards
The National Geographic Society invites proposals for projects that foster community-based ocean literacy and emotional connections to marine environments. Eligible applicants include individuals over the age of 18 with relevant education experience, with funding paths split into two tiers depending on whether the applicant is an existing National Geographic Explorer. The program supports both the piloting or scaling of immersive learning solutions and research into the effectiveness of educational innovations. Level I grant budgets are capped at US$20 thousand for projects to be completed within one year, while Level II budgets range up to US$100 thousand for up to two years. The deadline for submissions is 24 June 2026. Developing Future Ocean Stewards
Meaningful Business 100 — Entrepreneur Award
The Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) is an annual award program that honors global leaders who effectively combine profit and purpose to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The award is open to social entrepreneurs, corporate sustainability leaders, impact investors, and micro-entrepreneurs across various industries and regions. Individuals can nominate themselves or others. The deadline for entries is 03 July 2026. Entrepreneur Award
Moonshot Platform — Award for Young Changemakers
The Moonshot Platform invites applications for the Moonshot Awards to back exceptional young changemakers developing solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges. The program is open to global entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, and social advocates between the ages of 15 and 30 who are leading early-stage projects, startups, or non-profits that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Winners receive equity-free grants ranging from US$5 thousand to US$10 thousand depending on the category, alongside entry into a two-year leadership acceleration program that includes professional mentorship and fully sponsored travel to the awards ceremony in New York City. The final deadline for submissions is 12 July 2026. Moonshot Awards
African World Heritage Fund — Grants for World Heritage Conservation
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) provides grants to implement projects and activities which focus on improving the state of conservation of World Heritage properties located in Africa. Project activities are restricted to African government institutions involved in the management and protection of World Heritage sites, both cultural and natural, as defined by UNESCO. The grant will cover direct costs related to project activities. Applicants can apply for up to US$10 thousand in project funding. Projects must be implemented within 12 months. The application for financial assistance closes on 31 July 2026. Link to the African World Heritage Fund
German Academic Exchange Service — Co-funded Research Grants
DAAD co-funds research grants for qualified applicants from Brazil. The aim of the program is to promote research projects within the context of doctoral studies. The program accepts doctoral candidates at universities in Brazil, who have been awarded a domestic scholarship from CAPES (Co-funder). Subject areas include natural sciences and agriculture, among others. The domestic doctoral scholarships will be paid by CAPES during the research stay in Germany, and DAAD will co-fund a monthly payment of €650, health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover, and travel allowance. The application deadline is 03 September 2026 (for a research stay between May 2027 and January 2028). Find out more
World Photography Organization — Sony World Photography Awards
The Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world’s leading photography competitions, recognizes the best single images from across 10 diverse categories, including ‘Landscape’ and ‘Natural World & Wildlife’. The competition is free to enter and open to photographers worldwide, with specific categories tailored to professional series, standalone single images, students, and youth under 19 years-old. Cash prizes of US$25 thousand and US$5 thousand are awarded to the top winners of the series and single-image categories, respectively. The closing deadlines vary by competition tier, with the student category closing on 27 November 2026, the single-image and youth categories closing on 05 January 2027. Know more
Royal Geographical Society — Expedition Grants
The Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award offers grants between £2,000 and £5,000 to support humanitarian, scientific, or educational projects worldwide. The award is designed to support emerging travelers and expeditioners. The deadline for applications for projects is 08 January 2027. Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award
Earth Journalism Network — Workshop: Ocean Science and Deep-Sea Exploration
The Earth Journalism Network announces an in-person workshop that will support selected participants in Brazil to report on the importance of deep-sea science and exploration as well as marine biodiversity. Selected participants will travel to Fortaleza, Brazil, to attend the workshop. For participants based outside the Fortaleza area, EJN will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance and ground transportation costs related to workshop participation. Eligibility extends to professional journalists from or representing an established media house or news content creators/influencers with an active presence on one or more prominent social media platforms. The deadline for online applications is 18 June 2026. Link to workshop details
GOT BAG — Care Collective Fund
GOT BAG offers the Care Collective Fund to support global ocean health and climate action initiatives. The grant program funds a diverse range of partners, including non-governmental organizations, foundations, grassroots initiatives, activists, academic research projects, and social enterprises. Eligible projects must fit a maximum duration of 12 months and align with one of the program’s three systemic pillars: plastic life cycle, maritime ecosystems, or community of care and climate resilience. While the program supports projects worldwide, it gives preference to locally led initiatives in the Global South and high-leakage regions like Southeast Asia and coastal Africa. Selected applicants receive a grant of €10,000 to implement their project. The deadline for applications is 05 July 2026. Care Collective Fund