The Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Prize recognizes woman scientists from least-developed countries with scientific achievements in clean and renewable energy; sustainable agriculture and agro-biodiversity; plastic pollution and microplastics, water purification and sanitation, climate change, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and other themes related to sustainability. The winner will receive a cash award of US$4 thousand. Candidates should be working and living in an LDC country for at least two years prior to nomination. The deadline for nominations is 14 March 2025. Innovation for Sustainability Award
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UNESCO — International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences rewards projects and activities of individuals, institutions, and NGOs for scientific research in the life sciences leading to improving the quality of human life. Projects in life sciences contribute to poverty eradication, improved health, food and water security. Nominations are submitted by governments of UNESCO’s member states, and by NGOs maintaining official relations with UNESCO that are active in the fields covered by the Prize. The Prize amount of US$350 thousand may be equally divided among a maximum of three laureates. The closing date for submissions (English, French) is 31 March 2025. Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
Acumen Fund — East Africa Fellowship
The Acumen East Africa Fellows Program is a 6-month program comprising 5 seminars that gives individuals from East Africa the training they need to accelerate their social impact and leadership potential. Eligible countries are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan & Ethiopia. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other areas. Acumen covers all program expenses related to travel and accommodations, but it does not offer scholarships, stipends, or other funding. The application deadline is 07 February 2025. About this fellowship
King Baudouin Foundation — KBF Africa Prize 2025-2026
The KBF Africa Prize is awarded to Africans or African organizations who are making an outstanding contribution to development in Africa. There are no restrictions as to the chosen themes. The Selection Committee favors community approaches that deal with actual and current challenges in Africa. The winners receive financial support of up to €250 thousand. Self-nomination is not permitted. The deadline for nominations is 03 March 2025. Find out how to nominate a candidate
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Sri Lanka
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Sri Lanka. CFLI provides funding to projects that focus on environment and climate action, as well as on water and/or plastic waste management. The average contribution is C$30 thousand to C$50 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to not-for-profit local, national, or community-based organizations. The deadline for submission is 21 December 2024. CFLI Sri Lanka
Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Research Collaboration 2025
Within the framework of Danish development cooperation, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for research proposals between Denmark and researchers in partner countries. In 2025, the following countries are eligible for research applications: Algeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia (incl. Somaliland), South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Vietnam. Eligible research themes include climate change and the environment. The expected duration of research projects is up to 5 years with a maximum grant of DKK 10 million for each project. Only universities or research-based institutions registered in Denmark and with the capacity to (co-)supervise Ph.D. students are eligible to submit an application. The application deadline (Phase 1) is 29 January 2025. More about this opportunity
Acumen — West Africa Fellowship
The Acumen Fellows Program supports social innovators from West Africa who are tackling issues of poverty and injustice within their community. The Fellowship consists of a fully-funded leadership program, where Fellows remain in their role while taking part in a series of immersive seminars, workshops, and group practice. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other subject areas. Applications have to be received by 25 November 2024. Acumen West Africa Fellowship
Earthshot Prize — Nominations 2025
The Earthshot Prize searches the globe for game-changing innovations that will help repair our planet. The best five solutions receive £1 million to scale their work. The categories are: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix our Climate. The Earthshot Prize has a network of official nominators. Some nominators are happy to accept proposals from the public for consideration. Nominations for the 2025 prize year will close on 11 December 2024. View Official Nominators
U.S. Agency for International Development — Development Innovation Ventures
USAID sponsors Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) to identify, develop, test, and scale innovative approaches in development. DIV’s portfolio includes projects across the range of USAID’s program areas – including in agriculture, energy, climate change, water, waste management, and others related to natural resources and the environment. Applicants may apply for any of the three following stages: Proof of Concept (Up to US$200 thousand for up to 3 years), Testing and Positioning for Scale (US$200 thousand to $1.5 million for up to 3 years), and Scaling (US$1.5 million to US$15 million for up to 5 years). Proposals are accepted year-round, from any type of organization (including private businesses, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, foundations, civic groups, regional organizations, and international organizations), in any country. Link
Conrad Foundation — Spirit of Innovation Challenge 2024-2025
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