The Rockefeller Foundation supports African leaders who are creating bold, systemic solutions to critical challenges across the continent. Projects can range from social innovation and policy work to tech-driven and community-based efforts. Key focus areas include renewable energy access, resilient health systems, transformed food systems, and regional economic integration. The pre-application deadline is 01 December 2025. Big Bets Fellowship
partnerships/collaboration
German Government — International Climate Initiative Medium Grants
Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) supports projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity projects that have climate relevance. The focus of the IKI Medium Grants scheme is to provide support to the implementation of projects addressing the global loss of biodiversity in connection with climate change. Each project can receive a grant of between €300 thousand to a maximum of €800 thousand over a period of two to three years. Funding is available for non-profit organizations (associations, foundations, think tanks) and academic institutions (universities and research institutions), as well as non-profit companies in Germany. Projects have to be implemented in collaboration with local implementing organizations in ODA countries. Project outlines can be submitted by 20 January 2026. Climate Initiative Medium Grants
Mitigation Action Facility — Climate Change Mitigation Projects
The Mitigation Action Facility provides funding for ambitious and feasible climate change mitigation projects in three priority sectors: energy, industry, and transport. Projects shall have a duration between 36 and 66 months. The upper funding volume per project is €25 million. Projects must be implemented in Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries. The call for projects is open for submission until 25 February 2026. Mitigation Action Facility
Senckenberg — Global Fellowships
Senckenberg offers fellowships to early-career scientists (doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers) from the Global South. Fellowships are offered for a 3-month period to establish and/or strengthen collaboration with scientific staff at Senckenberg. Applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in biodiversity, anthropology, geology, collection-based research, or conservation ecology. The next application deadline is 01 March 2026. Find more information
Halcyon — Climate Resilience & Food Security in Africa
The Climate Resilience & Food Security Fellowship brings together entrepreneurs from across Africa, empowering them to address climate resilience and food security. Participants will receive expert training, critical resources to accelerate their ventures, a one-week in-person residency in Washington, DC, and a one-week in-person residency in Nairobi, Kenya. Selected fellows will receive a $6 thousand stipend for their venture. Eligibility extends to for-profit ventures based in Africa. The deadline for the submission of applications is 20 November 2025. Know more
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association — Marine Conservation Program
The Hifadhi Blu Program invites marine conservation organisations managing Marine Conservation Areas (MCAs) in the Western Indian Ocean to submit short motivation letters. The program will make grants of up to US$200 thousand over a two-year period (2026–2028). The focus is on strengthening site-level management effectiveness, such as enforcement, ecological monitoring, governance and community engagement. Eligible applicants include legally mandated managing authorities (government agencies, parastatals, delegated private entities) or community-based organisations with recognised management mandates. Submissions must be received by 29 November 2025. Hifadhi Blu Program
Energie AG Oberösterreich — Startup Innovation Challenge
Energie AG Oberösterreich seeks startups in the energy industry. The Startup Innovation Challenge invites solutions to tackle genuine problems in the energy industry that will help the company to operate more efficiently and shape a sustainable future. Energie AG will provide up to €50 thousand for developing a proof of concept. The challenge is not restricted to a particular geographic location. The deadline for submission is 04 January 2026. Energy Startup Innovation Challenge
United Nations Environment Program — Sustainable Public Finance for Biodiversity
The IKI–GIZ “FAST” (Fast-tracking Transformation through Sustainable Public Finance for Biodiversity) Project seeks up to eight implementing partners to support work in Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Nigeria. The program aims to help countries redesign public finance systems to align financial flows with biodiversity protection. Activities ( up to US$450 thousand per country) include conducting stocktaking and feasibility analyses on biodiversity-related public finance, capacity needs assessments, analyzing fiscal impacts on biodiversity, forming research networks, and developing indicators linking biodiversity, gender, and public finance. Partners must be non-profit or semi-governmental organizations. Proposals are due by 31 October 2025. Know more
World Academy of Sciences — Associateship Scheme for Research Collaboration
In collaboration with UNESCO, TWAS enables researchers from developing countries to visit research centers. Selected associates are appointed for three years during which they can visit one of 300 participating centers twice for research collaboration. TWAS provides travel support and a contribution towards subsistence costs up to US$300. Living expenses are covered by the host centers. The deadline for submission is 09 December 2025. TWAS-UNESCO Associateship Scheme
World Academy of Sciences — Research Professorships in Least-Developed Countries
TWAS funds selected TWAS members to assist with building research capacity in the least-developed countries (LDCs). During a period of five years, each funded professor will be expected to make three visits to a host institution in a partner LDC, for a minimum stay of one month each visit. TWAS will provide travel support while living expenses are covered by the host institution. Requests need to be submitted by research groups and scientific institutions in the LDCs. The application deadline is 09 December 2025. Read more