The Spirit of Innovation Challenge is a worldwide competition for youth ages 13-18 to create commercially viable products or services to address issues of global sustainability. Categories include “Energy and Environment”. Ideas are submitted by student teams, which can be international, if desired. There is a fee for team registration (discounted rates may apply for qualified title one schools or special circumstances). The winning teams are offered seed money to continue the development of their ideas. The application deadline for the activation stage (phase 1) is 01 November 2024. Link to the challenge
marine/coastal
MedWet — World Wetlands Day
MedWet launches a call for projects to financially support actors in the realization of educational animations within the framework of the World Wetlands Day 2025. MedWet will select up to 34 projects and provide financial support of €250 for the implementation of campaigns and educational activities that highlight the importance of wetlands for humanity and the planet. This call targets actors that engage in wetland conservation in the Mediterranean region. Applications have to be submitted by 11 November 2024. Link to more information
Earth Prize — Student Environmental Projects
The Earth Prize is an annual, global environmental sustainability competition for students between the ages of 13 and 19. The Earth Prize will reward seven regional winners, each receiving $12,500 to implement their ideas. The regions are Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Central & South America. Additionally, The Earth Prize will recognize three mentors and three educators of the year, awarding each $2,500. The registration phase closes on 30 November 2024. Earth Prize
Harvard University — Environmental Fellowships 2025
Harvard University’s Center for the Environment awards environmental fellowships. The fellowships enable recent doctorate recipients to use Harvard’s resources to tackle complex environmental problems. Eligibility for funding extends to candidates with a doctorate or equivalent in any subject area from any university in the world. Candidates may propose research projects in any discipline. The fellowship includes a salary of US$83 thousand per year, plus reimbursement for relocation expenses, annual allowance for travel and other professional expenses. The deadline for applications is 13 January 2025. HUCE Environmental Fellowships
iF International Forum Design GmbH — Student Design Award
The iF Student Design Award recognizes students and their future-oriented concepts that aim to solve a global development challenge. The best concepts earn a share of €50 thousand. All winners will be honored with a two-day event in Istanbul. Students and recent graduates of all design-related courses and programs are welcome to register their concepts. The registration deadline for participation is 05 February 2025. iF Student Design Award
Munich Re Foundation — RISK Award “Children and Youths”
The RISK Award seeks operational field projects in risk reduction and disaster management. The prize will provide financial support of €100 thousand to projects dedicated to increasing people’s resilience to risks and disasters, especially in developing countries. The submitted projects may emphasize the importance of children and young people as agents of change. There are no eligibility restrictions but research institutions and NGOs are especially encouraged to submit. Projects have to be submitted by 17 October 2024. More
Commonwealth Secretariat — Commonwealth Youth Awards 2024
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work recognize individuals ages 15 to 29 who lead innovative development projects in themes that include agriculture, small enterprise, skills training, climate change, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction. The program selects regional winners from each of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Winners are awarded grants of up to a total of £5 thousand in total to advance their projects. The application deadline is 18 October 2024. Commonwealth Youth Awards
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 31 October 2024 (for a research stay between May 2025 and January 2026). Find out more
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation — Science without Borders Challenge 2025
The Science Without Borders (SWB) Challenge is an international student art competition. The theme for this year’s challenge is “Marine Keystone Species.” Students are asked to use their artistic talents to create a piece of art featuring a keystone species that lives in the ocean, highlighting this creature’s vital role in its marine ecosystem. The SWB Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students (aged 11-19 years) from all around the world. The winners will receive scholarships of up to US$500. The deadline is 03 March 2025. Science Without Borders Challenge
SEED — Workshop and Support for Eco-Enterprises
The SEED Replicator program offers incubation workshops to identify opportunities for enterprise creation and to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking for partnerships to build an eco-inclusive business model. SEED Starter program guides participants from the early stages of ideation to the generation of a viable business plan. SEED Replicator targets entrepreneurs without a business idea as well as early-stage entrepreneurs who are trying to identify partnership opportunities and grow their impact. SEED Catalyser guides enterprises to refine their business models and optimize their impacts. SEED Accelerator develops the investment readiness and operational excellence of established eco-inclusive enterprises looking to scale up. Successful alumni can apply for a SEED Grant which pays for your immediate necessary activities, measures, or machinery required to establish the new enterprise. SEED programs are currently offered in the following countries: Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Morocco, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia. Click here for more information