The European Research Council (ERC) invites applications for its Advanced Grant 2026, supporting established, leading researchers to pursue ambitious, high-risk/high-gain frontier research projects across any field of science, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. Applicants must demonstrate an exceptional track record of research achievements and be hosted by, or willing to move to, an eligible host institution in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Grants of up to €2.5 million are available for projects lasting up to five years, with an additional €1 million available in exceptional cases to cover eligible start-up or major equipment costs. The application deadline is 27 August 2026. Details here
partnerships/collaboration
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Innovate Africa Challenge
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) invites applications for the Innovate Africa Challenge, which supports the deployment of proven artificial intelligence solutions for climate-smart agriculture in Africa. The challenge seeks AI-driven innovations that improve climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and farmer decision-making in areas such as precision agriculture, crop forecasting, pest and disease surveillance, climate risk modeling, and natural resource management. Eligible applicants are startups, innovators, and solution developers. Preference is given to applicants serving smallholder farmers. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Innovate Africa Challenge
Better Politics Fund — Resilient Futures
The Better Politics Fund invites applications for its Resilient Futures Call 2026, a global funding initiative supporting non-partisan, early-stage initiatives that strengthen democratic political leadership and climate resilience. The call seeks innovative ideas that help political leaders and institutions develop effective responses to climate challenges. Eligible applicants include organizations, networks, collectives, and individuals worldwide. The initiative offers Ideation Grants of US$10,000–20,000 through an open call, while Incubation Grants of up to US$50,000 (€20,000–50,000) are awarded by nomination only to organizations with proven approaches ready to scale. Applications for Ideation Grants must be submitted by 04 September 2026. Resilient Futures
Stockholm Resilience Center — SwedBio Collaboration Program
The SwedBio Collaboration Program contributes to ideas, methods, and policies regarding how biodiversity, ecosystem services, and resilience help sustain livelihoods. SwedBio welcomes submissions of concept notes for project ideas. SwedBio contributes to shorter projects through a small-grants program (max. SEK 500 thousand). Preferred partners include regional and international network organizations; action-oriented research institutes; think-tank institutions; and civil society organizations based in developing countries. Concept notes can be submitted anytime. About collaboration with SwedBio
Earth Journalism Network — Story Grants to Report on Business Responses to Climate Change in Thailand
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications for story grants supporting in-depth reporting on how businesses in Thailand are responding to climate change. The grants aim to strengthen coverage of corporate climate action, emissions reduction, adaptation, sustainable finance, green technologies, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Eligible applicants are journalists, editors, and media organizations based in Thailand with a proven record of environmental or business reporting. EJN expects to award up to 10 grants of up to US$1,500 each to support the production of high-quality stories. The application deadline is 02 August 2026. More here
Climate and Clean Air Coalition — Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition invites proposals for seven country-specific technical assistance projects under the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator. The calls support government-led action to reduce methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and other short-lived climate pollutants through projects addressing agriculture, clean household energy, national policy and monitoring systems, and waste management in Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and South Africa. Eligible lead applicants are non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and other not-for-profit entities; for-profit organizations may participate only as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Funding is not offered as one standard grant amount: each of the seven calls has its own estimated project cost. The wider Accelerator’s first cohort comprises Brazil, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, and South Africa and will collectively receive an initial US$25 million support package. Applications for the individual calls close on 14 August 2026. Action Accelerator
Google — Startups for Sustainable Development
The Google Startups for Sustainable Development Program is a global online initiative that supports early-stage technology startups addressing one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program offers expert mentorship, access to Google’s platform technologies—including cloud, AI tools, and datasets—funding connections without equity requirements, and community-building through virtual events and peer engagement. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Google Startups for Sustainable Development Program
Climate Technology Initiative — Funding for Climate or Clean Energy Projects
The Climate Technology Initiative (CTI PFAN) provides funding to climate or clean energy projects. PFAN accepts applications for projects in low- and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. Projects may request between US$1 million and US$50 million. Projects providing energy access or rural electrification (clean cookstoves, solar home systems, mini-grids) may request smaller sums between US$500 thousand and US$50 million. Proposals are invited from companies, individuals, or legal persons; public-private partnerships; and entities that are legally structured to redistribute profits. Applications can be submitted anytime and are evaluated quarterly. Details
Landscape Alliance — Sustainable Tools for Land Preparation and Soil Health
The Landscape Alliance invites applications for the fifth call of the K4GGWA Innovation Facility, supporting practical tools, implements, and simple machines that improve land restoration across the Great Green Wall region. The call seeks innovations for land preparation and planting, soil health improvement, water harvesting, erosion control, vegetation restoration, and labour-saving technologies. Eligible applicants include innovators, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, researchers, farmer organizations, cooperatives, and restoration practitioners working in the 11 Great Green Wall countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. Selected innovations may receive up to €30 thousand in grant funding, together with technical support and mentorship. The funding amount is not specified. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Know more
Earth Journalism Network — Media Grants to Support Coverage of Marine Conservation
Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications for media grants to newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries, with particular focus on Ghana, Mexico and the Philippines, to support in-depth and enterprising reporting projects, initiatives to train journalists and other activities designed to increase media coverage and the capacity of journalists to report on 30×30 marine conservation targets. Eligible applicants are journalists, editors, and media organizations from low- and middle-income countries in coastal and island states. Grants of up to US$10 thousand are available to support in-depth reporting projects examining marine protected areas, biodiversity conservation, fisheries, coastal communities, and related policy issues. The application deadline is 10 August 2026. Media Grants