The “Solve” program at MIT announces six global challenges in 2025, inviting anyone in the world to propose solutions to them. The 2025 challenges include one on climate adaptation. MIT Resilient Ecosystems Challenge seeks technology-based solutions that help communities restore, sustain, and benefit from resilient ecosystems. The winner receives a US$10 thousand grant. Additional prizes (from US$75 thousand to US$150 thousand) for solutions addressing specific challenges are available. The deadline for project draft submission is 17 April 2025. Link to the Challenge
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Einstein Forum — Einstein Fellowship 2026
The Einstein Forum offers a fellowship for early-career researchers who wish to pursue a project in a different field from that of their previous research. Please note that the proposed project must be significantly different in content, field, and form, from the applicant’s previous work. The fellowship includes living accommodations for up to 6 months in Caputh (Germany). The fellow will receive a stipend of €10 thousand and reimbursement of travel expenses. Candidates must be under 35 and hold a university degree in the humanities, the social sciences, or the natural sciences. Applicants have to submit their application by 15 May 2025. Details
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Graduate Researchers Award 2025
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) invites proposals for the Graduate Researchers Award to foster innovative research and discovery in biodiversity informatics. GBIF will present awards of €5 thousand each to one master’s student and one doctoral student. Students must apply through and be nominated by a Head of Delegation of a GBIF participant country. The deadline for nominations is 27 June 2025, although some GBIF national delegations are likely to set earlier deadlines. GBIF Graduate Researchers Award
Legacy Project — Global Youth Awards 2025
The Global Youth Awards supports youth aged 11-25 who are leading inspirational projects for social and environmental impact around the world. This includes environmental projects and innovations to restore and regenerate the global ecosystem. The winners receive an invitation to become a Global Change Ambassador for collaborations, events, mentoring, and training. Youth from all around the world can be nominated. Nominations close 14 September 2025. Link
Dory Foundation — Grants for Early Stage Non-Profit Work
The Dory Foundation supports promising, early-stage non-profit work with grants between US$10 thousand and US$250 thousand. There are no thematic restrictions, however, projects should respond to the question: “How can we keep life meaningful and fulfilling in a world where work is automated with AI”. The funding scope is global, no specific locations targeted. The project must be a charity or non-profit project. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Details
Environmental Systems Research Institute — Esri Conservation Grant Program
Esri is an international supplier of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, web GIS, and geodatabase management applications. Esri offers free or discounted GIS software, hardware, data, training, and services to support groups and individuals working for social and environmental benefit. Esri’s Conservation Grant Program makes GIS grants to non-profit organizations, programs, and individuals active in public service and nature conservation in any country. There are no grant cycles or deadlines. Learn about the program
City Climate Finance Gap Fund — Urban Climate Action
The City Climate Finance Gap Fund (Gap Fund) supports cities and local governments in preparing and prioritizing climate-smart plans and investments with the goal of attracting more financing and support for implementation. The Fund focuses on climate-smart urban planning and early-stage project preparation in developing and emerging countries. Selected proposals will receive technical assistance and capacity building. Cities and local authorities can apply by submitting an Expression of Interest. There is no application deadline. About the Gap Fund
United Nations Development Program — Equator Prize 2025
The Equator Prize 2025 recognizes innovative initiatives that showcase how action on nature, led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, can provide effective climate solutions, and demonstrate effective pathways to transform the global systems for people and Planet. Nominated projects may focus on solutions for sustainable food systems, restoration of ecosystems that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, or protection of terrestrial or marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife. The nominated initiative must have been in existence for at least three years. Each winner will receive US$10 thousand. Nominations must be submitted by 23 February 2025. Equator Prize
Imperial College London — Climate Investment Challenge
The Climate Investment Challenge calls on graduate students to develop financial solutions and innovations addressing climate change, such as untapped climate finance opportunities or innovative financial structures that improve the bankability of climate investments. The Main Prize challenges students to create innovative financial structures or instruments that enhance the bankability of climate investments or utilize existing tools to explore untapped climate finance opportunities. The Emerging and Developing Markets Prize calls on students to use innovative financial instruments or existing financial tools to address an underserved climate change issue. The Data Analytics Prize is looking for students to develop creative ways to combine existing climate and environmental datasets with financial information to improve the adoption of climate finance or address climate risk. Eligibility extends to students enrolled in a postgraduate degree (Master’s, MBA, or PhD-level) at the time of the submission. The challenge is open globally to students from all academic backgrounds. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 02 March 2025. Climate Investment Challenge
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship — Training for Social Entrepreneurs
The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accepts applications for an accelerator program focused on social enterprises working on women’s economic power and/or climate resilience. The program is designed for established social entrepreneurs who directly serve people living in poverty who suffer disproportionately from climate change. Climate resilience falls into one of the following three categories: sustainable energy, availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. There are no geographical limitations. The application deadline is 13 April 2025. Link