The journal Water invites applications for the Best PhD Thesis Award to recognize young scholars who have completed outstanding doctoral research in any aspect of water science, technology, management, or governance. The competition is open to PhD students or recently qualified PhD fellows worldwide, provided their thesis is original work and was defended during 2025. One winner will be selected to receive CHF 800. Applicants must submit an executive summary of their thesis in English. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Thesis Award
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Global Humane Society — International Prize for Species Conservation
The Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation honors exceptional conservation scientists who have made significant contributions to combating biodiversity loss and advancing species protection. The recipient will receive an unrestricted grant of US$80 thousand, participate in a global media campaign, and be recognized at an award ceremony. Applicants must be conservation scientists who have made demonstrable, long-term impacts in preserving ecosystems and species. The application deadline is 01 June 2026. Prize for Species Conservation
TiE WOMEN — Support for Female Entrepreneurs
The TiE Women Program offers women founders the chance to showcase their innovative business ideas. Female-founded startups and established businesses gain visibility, network with industry leaders & investors, and access mentorship. Participants receive up to US$50 thousand equity-free cash prizes. This opportunity is open to women entrepreneurs across the globe. The application deadline is 10 June 2026. TiE Women Program
Japan Water Fund — Kyoto World Water Grand Prize 2027
The Japan Water Forum, in collaboration with the City of Kyoto and the World Water Council, invites applications for the Kyoto World Water Grand Prize 2027 to honor grassroots organizations solving water challenges. Eligible applicants are non-profit, non-governmental, and locally led organizations based in developing countries that have implemented water-related projects between 2020 and 2024. The prize aims to recognize initiatives that respect the social and cultural characteristics of local communities. One winner will receive 2 million JPY (approximately US$13 thousand) to support the continuation or enhancement of their activities and will be invited to the award ceremony at the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The deadline for applications is 12 June 2026. Details here
Leakey Foundation — Research on Primates
The Leakey Foundation funds research related to human origins. This includes research on primate biology, ecology, and behavior. The majority of research grants awarded to doctoral students range from US$3 thousand to US$20 thousand. Larger projects by senior scientists and post-doctoral students may be funded up to US$30 thousand. There are no citizenship restrictions. The next application deadline is 15 July 2026. Find out more
American Association for the Advancement of Science — Science and SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists 2026
The SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists rewards outstanding early-career researchers. The prize is awarded annually to four young scientists for research performed while they were graduate students in the fields of cell and molecular biology, genomics, proteomics and systems biology, ecology and evolution, or molecular medicine. Applicants must have been awarded their PhD between 01 January 2023 and 31 December 2024. The grand prize winner receives US$30 thousand, and each of the three category winners receives US$10 thousand. Additionally, the grand prize-winning essay is published in Science, and the category winners’ essays are published online.The deadline for entries is 15 July 2026. SciLifeLab Prize
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research — Visiting Scholar
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) provides visiting scholarships to mid- to late-career stage scientists and academics involved in Antarctic research. Scholars can undertake short-term visits (up to 4 weeks) to an institute in another SCAR member country, to provide training and mentoring. The Visiting Scholar Scheme provides individual awards of up to US$5 thousand. The closing date for applications is 18 September 2026. SCAR Visiting Scholar
MDPI — Plants Awards 2026
MDPI is a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals. The publisher has several awards in the category “Plants.” MDPI currently invites nominations for the Best PhD Thesis Award (CHF 500) for original work defended in 2025, with a deadline of July 31, 2026, and the Travel Award (CHF 800) for students and postdocs attending international conferences, closing October 31, 2026. Additionally, the journal honors high-quality peer review through the Outstanding Reviewer Award and celebrates research impact with the Best Paper and Young Investigator awards, providing winners with cash prizes, formal certificates, and publication vouchers to waive future article processing charges. Click here
United Nations University — MSc in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security
The United Nations University (UNU) and the University of Bonn welcome applicants for the international joint MSc program, “Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security.” The ideal candidate has a strong interest or experience in human-nature relations and risk governance in the Global South. Women and applicants from developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to financially support successful applicants from developing countries. The application deadline is 15 December 2026. More
The Explorers Club — Impact Grants
The Explorers Club Impact Grants support individual researchers and explorers worldwide who conduct field-based scientific expeditions in disciplines such as ecology, earth sciences, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, and astronomy—especially exploring regions experiencing environmental or cultural change. Grants typically range from US$10 thousand to US$25 thousand, covering expenses for on-site fieldwork. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Explorers Club Impact Grants