The International Water Association (IWA) opens the third cohort of their fellowship for Young Water Professionals aged 18 to 35. This cohort focuses on innovation and uptake of technology in the water sector, in three areas: applied research and product or solution innovation, financial mechanisms and business models, and capacity building. Applicants need an existing idea, prototype or early pilot addressing a water challenge. The fellowship is expected to cover economy flights, meals, single-occupancy accommodation, ground transport, travel insurance and visa fees for required travel. Applications close on 05 November 2026. Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship
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Freshwater Biodiversity Information System for Africa — Small Grants
The Freshwater Biodiversity Information System for Africa (FBIS Africa) offers small grants of US$5,000 to US$10,000 to publish existing African freshwater biodiversity data that is not yet on GBIF. Funds cover data collation and digitisation, cleaning and quality control, georeferencing, metadata preparation and formatting. Eligible data holders include universities, research institutions, museums, government agencies, NGOs, freshwater programmes, and individual researchers working through an eligible host institution. Eligible groups are freshwater fishes, amphibians, molluscs, crustaceans, and the insect orders Odonata, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Megaloptera. Applications close on 09 November 2026. Link
Onewater — Walk of Water Photostory Contest
Onewater, UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme and UNEP invite photographers worldwide to submit photo stories on water and health, with a focus on wastewater: sanitation, polluted rivers, nature-based treatment, resource recovery and wastewater surveillance for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Prizes range from $200 to $3,000, with a separate Youth Wastewater Award for photographers aged 25 or under. Each entry needs 5 to 10 photographs, a 2,500 to 8,000 character story, captions and a signed photo license. Entries close on 29 November 2026. Water Photostory Contest
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Projects by Turkmen Civil Society
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites letters of inquiry from civil society organisations based in Turkmenistan for the first application round of the GEF Small Grants Programme. Grants are up to US$75,000. Projects must fall in the Balkan-Caspian-Ustyurt, Southern Mountain and Semi-Arid, or Wetland, Coastal and Desert landscapes, or be cross-cutting national initiatives. Eligible work covers species and habitat conservation, ecosystem resilience and restoration, climate adaptation, sustainable water management, sustainable livelihoods and civil society capacity. Public associations, enterprises of public organisations and economic entities can apply, and women-led and youth-led organisations get particular attention. The deadline is 08 December 2026. Link
Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park Authority — Women & Biosphere International Photo Competition
Three Emilia-Romagna protected-area bodies, under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme, invite photographers worldwide to enter a free contest on women’s role in sustainable development, biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. There are three categories: Water is Woman, Society is Woman and The Profession is Woman. Prizes total over €5,000 in photographic equipment, local products and books, with special prizes. Entrants must be 18 or over, amateurs and professionals alike, and can submit. The deadline is 20 January 2027. Women & Biosphere International Photo Competition
KU Leuven — PhD Scholarships for Students from the Global South
KU Leuven is the largest university in Flanders, Belgium. As one part of its cooperation to advance international development, KU Leuven offers PhD scholarships to candidates from developing countries. The university offers sandwich scholarships, which means that 50% of the research takes place at KU Leuven and 50% at the home institution of the scholar, as well as full-time research at KU Leuven. The scholarships are offered to proposals that deal with a development-relevant research topic, preferably linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. Online applications have to be completed before 04 February 2027. PhD Scholarships for Researchers
Rotary Foundation — Masters Studies in Water and Sanitation
The Rotary Foundation partners with UNESCO to offer funding for master’s studies in water and sanitation. Applicants for Rotary’s support must be provisionally admitted to one of the three participating degree programs at UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education (IHE). Students apply via their local Rotary club or district. Each award is approximately €34 thousand, paid directly to UNESCO-IHE. The deadline for submitting Rotary scholarship applications is 15 March 2027. Find the Application Process
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
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement — Student Ambassador Program
The Tyler Prize recruits undergraduate and postgraduate students from anywhere in the world to serve as 2027 Student Ambassadors. Ambassadors promote the laureates’ work on social media and in their communities. Ambassadors receive skills training in storytelling, social media and event delivery. Applicants must be proficient in English and interested in themes such as climate, oceans, economics, policy, pollution, food and agriculture, water, health and equality. Applications close 30 October 2026. Tyler Prize Student Ambassador Program
Eni — Prizes for Energy and Environmental Science
The 2027 Eni Award includes two prizes relevant to environmental research. The Advanced Environmental Solutions Prize gives one indivisible €200,000 award to a researcher or a pair of joint main authors with internationally significant results from the past ten years in environmental stewardship, such as biodiversity and habitat protection, nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, remediation, water stewardship, air quality or sustainable use of natural resources. The Young Talents from Africa Prize gives two African PhD students €25,000 each for research in energy and environment such as renewables, decarbonisation, circular economy, water treatment, biodiversity, nature-based solutions or sustainable agriculture. For both prizes, the deadline is 20 November 2026. Know more