The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes individuals, institutions, or organizations that have developed innovative approaches, technologies, or practices with a clear and positive impact on food security, sustainable agrifood systems, natural resource management, or rural livelihoods. The award includes a cash prize of US$10 thousand and an official certificate of recognition. Eligible nominees may come from the public or private sector, civil society, academia, or international organizations, and nominations must be endorsed by an FAO Representative or FAO senior official. The deadline to submit nominations is 31 December 2026. FAO Award for Innovation
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Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — Botany in Action Fellowships 2027
The Botany in Action (BIA) Fellowship program at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens fosters the development of the next generation of plant-based scientists. Subject areas include ethnobotany, Indigenous ecological knowledge, food systems, plant diversity and conservation, landscape and brownfield restoration, and sustainable landscapes. Preference goes to research in tropical forests or southwest Pennsylvania, with special consideration in 2027 for Panama and Australia’s Daintree region. The program is open to Ph.D. students of any nationality who are conducting plant-based scientific research at U.S. graduate institutions. Grants are US$6 thousand for research and outreach expenses at sites in the U.S. or internationally, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Phipps for science outreach training. The application deadline is 08 January 2027. Find out how to apply
MIT — Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program
The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT offers academic-year fellowships to science journalists. Fellows will be able to leverage the resources and connections available to them at MIT and in the surrounding greater Boston area. The research project must be journalism-related. Fellows receive a US$85 thousand stipend paid out in installments over 9.5 months. The program is designed for journalists from around the world. International candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications close on 09 January 2027. KSJ Fellowship
World Press Photo — Visual Journalism and Stories Awards 2027
The World Press Photo Contest recognizes the best visual journalism and awards visual stories in eight categories, including Environment and Nature. The award winners will receive €1 thousand each. The prize-winning photographs will be assembled into a worldwide year-long exhibition. The contest is only open to professional photographers. Entries close on 13 January 2027. World Press Photo Awards
Ocean Foundation — Scholarship for Sea Turtle Preservation
The Ocean Foundation and the Boyd Lyon Sea Turtle Fund seek applicants for the Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship. Students with field research projects on sea turtle behavior and habitat use in the marine environment, as well as projects that promote sea turtle conservation in coastal ecosystems, can apply. One award of US$3,000 will be made to a Masters or PhD student. The applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university during 2027/2028. The application deadline is 15 January 2027. Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship
Harvard University — Arboretum Research Scholar Award
The Arboretum Research Scholar Award supports early-career scientists, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers conducting plant-focused research that aligns with the Arboretum’s living collections, herbarium, archives, or scientific priorities in areas such as botany, ecology, evolution, and conservation. Awardees receive up to US$10 thousand to support research expenses including travel, lodging, materials, or access to Arboretum resources. The program is open to researchers worldwide, and projects may be short-term or exploratory in nature. Applications are accepted until 25 January 2027. Arboretum Research Scholar Award
Rice University — Business Plan Competition for Early-Stage Startups
The Rice University (Texas, USA) invites student teams to participate in the Rice Business Plan Competition 2027. Entrepreneurs receive the opportunity to pitch their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and enhance their startup strategy. Typically, startups have a technology component in Energy/Clean Technology; Life Science/Biotechnology; or Digital Services. The competition is open to degree-seeking students currently enrolled at a college or university anywhere in the world. The grand prize winner receives up to $300 thousand in investments. The application deadline is 29 January 2027. Business Plan Competition
Fiat Panis Foundation — Prize for Master Thesis in Food Security
The Fiat Panis Foundation makes awards for university thesis and dissertation research in themes of agriculture, ecology, and natural resources, with a focus on food security in developing countries. The Hans Hartwig Ruthenberg Graduate Award is €7.5 thousand in support of qualified young scientists by honoring their excellent master thesis in the field of food security. The deadline for submissions (German, English) is 30 April 2027. Ruthenberg Graduate Award
International Water Association — Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship
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
AXA Foundation — Early-Career Research on Responsible Nature-Based Solutions
The AXA Foundation offers two-year grants of up to €140,000 to early-career researchers working on “Responsible Nature-Based Solutions for a Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Future”. Projects must be transdisciplinary, combining social sciences or humanities with natural sciences or engineering, and must partner with societal actors such as public authorities, NGOs or communities. For-profit companies cannot be partners. Only academic institutions and public research organisations can host, and the host institution submits the application on the researcher’s behalf. Expressions of interest close on 12 November 2026. (Note: Institutions not yet registered must register by 03 November 2026). Know more