The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) recognizes the scientific achievements of young scientists living and working in a developing country. The third edition of the TWAS-CAS award will recognize achievements in Earth Sciences. The award is worth US$10 thousand. TWAS invites nominations from science academies, national research councils, universities, and scientific institutions. Self-nominations will not be considered. Eligible candidates are young scientists (not older than 45 years of age). The deadline for receiving nominations is 14 March 2025. Young Scientists Award
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Bow Seat — Ocean Awareness Contest
The 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest – Connections to Nature – encourages students to explore the natural world and their place in it. Participants are invited to create a piece of art, writing, or media that explores their connection to the natural world. Students ages 11-18 from around the world are invited to participate in the contest. Winners can earn cash awards of up to US$1,500. The contest deadline is 09 June 2025. Ocean Awareness Contest
Siemens — Tech for Sustainability
Tech for Sustainability Campaign is a global initiative for students, researchers, startups and innovative individuals to leverage technology to solve real-world sustainability challenges. Challenges include climate resilience, and global energy. Every challenge listed needs a feasible and technologically viable solution to implement it commercially. Siemens offers €30 thousand in investments. The deadline for applications is 10 March 2025. Link
United Nations — Local Pathways Fellowship
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) recruits participants for its 2025 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. The 10-months fellowship program provides young leaders with a platform, capacity building, training opportunities and contacts of leading development experts and practitioners. The Local Pathways Fellowship is unpaid. Fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure. Young candidates (18-30 years) working towards achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals and representing any city or country in the world are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 19 January 2025. Link to Local Pathways
Hult Prize Foundation — Hult Prize Challenge
The Hult Prize is a start-up accelerator for social entrepreneurship which brings together college and university students to solve the world’s most pressing issues. In 2025, participants can pitch any idea for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Hult Prize runs regional competitions around the world, campus events, a national competition, and online for the chance to join the Global Accelerator Program. The winning team will be awarded US$1 million in seed capital. Hult Prize
Science Park Graz — Startup Idea Competition 2025
The Science Park Graz invites young inventors to submit their business ideas to the Startup Idea Competition in one of six categories, including Energy & Environment. The winners in each category will be invited to the award ceremony in Graz, Austria and receive €2 thousand each. The deadline for idea submission is 28 February 2025. Find the start-up idea competition
Cultural Survival — Indigenous Community Media Fund
The Indigenous Community Media Fund provides opportunities for Indigenous community radio stations and media outlets to strengthen their broadcast infrastructure and systems. Indigenous community radio stations can apply for a grant of up to US$8 thousand. Radio networks represented by at least three or more Indigenous radio stations can apply for funding of up to US$12 thousand. Proposed projects must be completed within a period of 6 to 10 months. Indigenous communities in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 26 January 2025. Indigenous Community Media Fund
Union for the Mediterranean — Mediterranean Youth Water Hackathon
The Mediterranean Youth Water Hackathon invites young innovators aged 18 to 35 to collaborate and create game-changing solutions addressing the challenges and opportunities within the Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus. The first-place team will be awarded €3,000, and the two runner-up teams will receive €1,000 each. Teams of 2-3 members can apply. Applications have to be submitted by 13 December 2024. Water Hackathon
Vienna Biocenter — Summer School
The Vienna Biocenter Summer School provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to work side by side with leading researchers in a dynamic scientific environment. Each fellow will be allocated a faculty member, with whom they will work closely. The research project will focus on a current topic in the allocated lab. Selected fellows receive free student accommodation, a stipend of €1400 euros, medical insurance, and other benefits. The Vienna Biocenter welcomes applications from students from all around the world who are undergraduates/master students and have completed at least two years of university study in a Life Sciences related study. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. Vienna Biocenter Summer School
Biomimicry Institute — Youth Design Challenge 2025
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a project-based learning experience for middle and high school teams. Participants are asked to design bio-inspired ideas that can provide solutions to the climate crisis. The Youth Design Challenge follows an academic calendar which means that teachers can teach the biomimicry project at any time. The challenge is open to schools from all around the world (US equivalent grades 6th-12th). Schools have to register teams that consist of up to eight student team members and an official teacher coach. Each team has the chance to win multiple prizes. The registration deadline for student teams is 31 January 2025. Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge