Power of Diversity Grants - Call for proposals

 29 May 2026. Power of Diversity Grants. 

The Power of Diversity Funding Facility is a multi-donor initiative managed by the Crop Trust, dedicated to conserving, cultivating and promoting the consumption of relatively neglected opportunity crops across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Funding Facility was established in 2025 with contributions by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ireland.

The Call for Proposal and relevant documents can be downloaded here.

A virtual information session for interested applicants was held on 29 May. The presentation and 

recording can be found here.

Book Launch: My Food is African: Volume 2

26 May 2026. Webinar Book Launch: My Food is African: Volume 2

• This powerful new guide goes beyond what we eat. It looks at the systems shaping African food choices, including culture, policy, markets, corporate power, advertising, gender dynamics, and citizen action.

AFSA, Barefoot (2026).  My Food is African: Volume 2 — How Citizens Are Reclaiming African Food Systems.  158 p.

Through live story readings, reflections, dialogue, and audience participation, the launch brought the guide to life as a tool for organising, advocacy, public education, and movement-building across Africa.

Published in 2026 with support from SIDA under the Transforming African Food Systems to Sustainability (TAFS) Project, this Barefoot Guide is a landmark publication — collective in authorship, continental in scope, and uncompromising in its argument.

Written by over 35 individuals — farmers, journalists, researchers, market traders, chefs, activists, and civil society advocates from across 50 African countries — Volume 2 picks up where Volume 1 left off. While the first guide helped individuals and families understand how to eat more healthily, emphasising traditional foods, dishes, and diets, this second volume asks the harder, structural questions: Who controls what Africans eat? Who benefits? And what happens when ordinary people decide to change that?

What the Book Takes On

Across seven chapters, the guide maps the real forces shaping African food — and the real people fighting back.

1. The ultra-processed food crisis. Ultra-processed foods are flooding African communities, driving rising rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, backed by corporate marketing budgets that dwarf anything civil society can match. The book examines this crisis honestly — including the difficult conversations with policymakers who are not villains but are, as one Ugandan permanent secretary put it, “trapped in a system they didn’t create.”
2. From practice to policy. In Nigeria, sustained advocacy brought corporate seed legislation under public scrutiny. In Senegal, an agroecological farmers’ network secured land for organic farming through local government engagement. In Kenya, Zambia, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe, the book follows an AFSA team across ten countries documenting where the campaign is producing real, measurable change — in schools, parliaments, markets, and kitchens.
3. From consumers to food citizens. In the DRC, twenty trained journalists produced hundreds of radio programmes reaching an estimated two million people, challenging corporate food narratives and reshaping media coverage. In Zambia, community radio turned ten free weekly slots into farmer networks and peer learning groups. In Cameroon, the Je Mange Camerounais movement made traditional food culturally trendy through restaurants, social media, and celebration.
4. African markets are our markets. From Mbare in Harare to Thiaroye in Dakar to Jedaida in Tunisia, the book makes a powerful case for Africa’s territorial markets — the informal, community-rooted spaces that feed the majority of African people — as the backbone of food sovereignty, not problems to be modernised away. These markets maintain food diversity, sustain women’s economic power, and underpin agroecological food systems. They deserve protection and investment, not criminalisation.
5. Advocacy in global spaces. The guide examines how African civil society is building capacity to engage the African Union, COP climate conferences, and the UN Committee on World Food Security — on African terms.
6. A Vision for 2045 — and Beyond. The book closes with a grounded, honest imagining of what African food systems could look like by 2045, structured around eleven pillars of food sovereignty in practice. It celebrates real victories and names real defeats. Its conclusion is neither triumphant nor defeated: “The question now isn’t whether food sovereignty is possible. We’ve demonstrated it is. The question is how fast we can scale.”

My Food is African: Volume 2 is available in English and French (Je Mange Africain: Volume 2). It is a guide for organising, advocacy, public education, and movement-building — for citizens, researchers, policymakers, educators, journalists, chefs, and everyone committed to African food sovereignty.

“When we say My Food is African, we’re reclaiming power over our bodies, our communities, and our future. This is about who we choose to be as a continent.”

📥 Download the guide:
My Food is African: Volume 2 — How Citizens Are Reclaiming African Food Systems

FCI4Africa Grant Application Open Call 1

FCI4Africa aims to enhance sustainable, fair, and healthy food systems within Africa, focusing on free and fair trade, Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) harmonization, and digitization in food systems, alongside promoting knowledge development through open science and digital platforms. In order to provide financial support to third parties activities, the Consortium will

launch two Open Calls for single applicants:

1. Open Call 1 (OC1) (CALL DEADLINE 30^th JUNE) addressed to research and technology stakeholders (start-ups, SMEs, research organisations, and other multidisciplinary actors) to test, validate and enhance the business concepts and tools of the project or develop ideas and tools or prepare data sets that contribute to project’s objectives, which can then be introduced to the market.
2. Open Call 2 (OC2) to innovation hubs in order to train use case partners, open call beneficiaries by providing mentoring and accelerating innovative business concepts, including social innovation and upscaling in view of African or European food business entrepreneurs and start-ups. The activities can be either virtual or in-person.

The 2 Open Calls will result in 12 sub-projects in total.

● Eight (8) sub-projects (max) will be selected for OC1 (total OC1 budget €400k – up to €50k for each third party)

● Four (4) sub-projects (max) will be selected for OC2 (total OC2 budget €200k – up to €50k for each third party

The following use cases will enable testing and co-development of climate-neutral, fair, and just food system innovations and business models in the real world.

1. Promoting a healthy, safe, and profitable food system through scaling proven food safety technologies: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria
2. Deploying digital solutions for trade facilitation through compliance with integrated quality standards and non-tariff measures (NTMs): Kenya, Nigeria
3. Elaborate approaches to increase resilience of rural communities against shocks Senegal, Nigeria 

The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas

2 June 2026. The report “The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas 2025–2026: A Perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean” was officially launched by the three organizations that jointly produce the report: the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The report focuses on sustainable agricultural productivity, resilient agrifood systems, rural development, and regional cooperation across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Main themes presented in the report

1. Sustainable and resilient agricultural productivity.
2. Food security and nutrition.
3. Rural development and territorial transformation.
4. Climate change adaptation and resilience.
5. Regional cooperation and integration.
6. Investment and innovation in agrifood systems.
7. Inclusive development for rural communities.

4th Africa Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting

18–20 May 2026 in Accra, Ghana.

The 4th Africa Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting brought together National Food Systems Convenors, governments, regional institutions, UN agencies, development partners, researchers, civil society, youth organizations, and the private sector. The meeting focused on accelerating implementation of national food systems transformation pathways following the adoption of the CAADP-Kampala Declaration and the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4). Participants reviewed progress made since previous regional meetings, shared lessons from implementation, and identified opportunities for stronger collaboration, investment, and accountability across Africa.

A central theme throughout the meeting was moving from planning to delivery. Discussions emphasized improving governance, financing, monitoring systems, science and innovation, private-sector engagement, and youth leadership to transform African food systems into more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable systems. The meeting also sought to align national actions with continental frameworks such as Agenda 2063 and CAADP-Kampala, while strengthening regional cooperation to address common challenges including climate change, food insecurity, economic shocks, and unemployment.

1. High-Level Roundtable 1 Opportunities for Better Synergy Between National Pathways, Global and Continental Policy Frameworks

Purpose: To explore how national food systems transformation pathways can be aligned with continental frameworks such as CAADP and Agenda 2063, while ensuring that country priorities shape regional and global agendas.

• Clement Adjorlolo (Moderator) Principal Programme Officer, Agriculture and Rural Transformation, AUDA-NEPAD
• Mokganedi Mokopasetso National Food Systems Convenor, Botswana
• Leon Baïkoua National Food Systems Convenor, Central African Republic
• Chantal Ingabire Director General for Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda
• Victor Mbumwae National Food Systems Convenor, Zambia
• Lorenz Franken Institution Building Specialist, Committee on World Food Security

2. Panel Discussion How to Unlock Financing and Investment for Food Systems Transformation?

Purpose: To identify practical financing mechanisms and investment approaches that can accelerate implementation of food systems transformation pathways.

• Max von Bonsdorff (Moderator) Chief, Global and Multilateral Engagement, International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD
• Arsene Bationo Private Sector and Grants Management & Compliance Expert, African Development Bank AFDB
• Athur (Arthur) Mabiso Lead Regional Economist, International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD
• Gabriel Ferrero Senior Strategic Advisor, Global Agriculture and Food Security Program
• Zak Bleicher Senior Advisor and Global Coordinator, Agrifood Systems Accelerator
• Tobie Ondoa Manga Inspector General of Agricultural Development, Government of Cameroon
• Mohamed Abdi Yusuf National Food Systems Convenor, Somalia
• Chantal Ingabire Director General for Planning, MINAGRI, Rwanda

3. Roundtable: How Can the Private Sector Support Food Systems Transformation?

Purpose: To discuss how businesses can help drive innovation, investment, and scaling of food systems transformation initiatives.

• Carolin Busch (Moderator) Junior Professional Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• Tolu Kweku Lacroix Executive Director, UN Global Compact Ghana
• Worlali Senyo Senior Vice President, Farmerline
• Anthony Selorm Morrison President and CEO, Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana
• Aleksa Mirkovic Project Administrator, United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO

4. Panel: Strengthening Accountability in Food Systems Transformation

Purpose: To explore monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms that can improve implementation and track progress toward food systems goals.

• Medhat Elhelepi (Moderator) Regional Coordinator for Africa, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub*
• Clement Adjorlolo Principal Programme Officer, AUDA-NEPAD
• Fatmata Lucia Seiwoh National Food Systems Convenor, Sierra Leone
• Thembani Malapela Knowledge Management Officer, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• Victor Mbumwae National Food Systems Convenor, Zambia
• Faisal Munkaila Director, Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana

5. High-Level Roundtable 2: Leveraging Science, Innovation and Data for Evidence-Based Food Systems Transformation in Africa

Purpose: To examine how science, research, innovation, and data systems can improve decision-making and accelerate food systems transformation.

• Günter Hemrich (Moderator) Strategic Lead, Food Systems Coordination, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
• Abdulrazak Ibrahim Director, Research and Innovation (Food Systems), Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
• Amira Abdelrahim Ali Mohammed Food Systems and Agricultural Policy Specialist, Sudan*
• Demba Sabally National Food Systems Convenor, The Gambia
• Roza Fachi Mbilizi Food Systems and Nutrition Expert, Malawi
• Samira Hotobah-During Executive Secretary and Director Alliance African Local Food and Nutrition Supply Chains 
• Richard Tweneboa Kodua Director, Science and Innovation, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana

6. Panel Discussion: How to Capitalize on the Youth Dividend and Promote Co-Leadership for Food Systems Transformation?

Purpose: To explore how young people can be empowered as leaders, innovators, and decision-makers in food systems transformation.

• Caesar Vulley (Moderator) Youth and Food Systems Advocate, Ghana
• Haroun Moussa (Opening Remarks) Technical Adviser on Youth and Skills Development, AUDA-NEPAD
• Delfina Hlashway (Keynote) Youth Food Systems Champion, Namibia
• Kefilwe Roba Moalosi Senior Nutrition and Food Safety Officer, AUDA-NEPAD
• Mirirai Tembo Youth Representative, Food Systems Movement, Zambia
• Fatmata Binta Founder and Executive Director, Community Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sierra Leone

Related:

 22 May 2026. Farmer cooperatives play a critical role in strengthening inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems by organizing smallholder producers and enhancing access to markets, finance, technology, and knowledge, while increasing farmers’ bargaining power and income security and supporting local value chain development. 

The session brought together practitioners, policymakers, development partners, and cooperative leaders to share practical experiences and lessons learned from cooperative-led initiatives, examine how cooperatives enhance smallholder inclusion in food systems, and identify policy, institutional, and investment pathways to strengthen cooperative models, as well as opportunities to scale cooperative-driven solutions across diverse contexts, ultimately generating actionable insights on how to effectively support cooperatives in accelerating food systems transformation at both national and global levels.

Biological Control, Biopesticides and Sustainable Food Systems in Afro-Eurasia

1 June 2026. Biological Control, Biopesticides and Sustainable Food Systems in Afro-Eurasia

Biological control and biopesticides are increasingly recognized as important tools for reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides, improving integrated pest management (IPM), supporting agroecological approaches, and enhancing compliance with residue-sensitive export markets. At the same time, adoption of bio-solutions remains uneven due to regulatory fragmentation, quality-control challenges, commercialization barriers, limited farmer awareness, and weak extension systems.

In response to these issues, regional and international organizations have intensified efforts to strengthen collaboration on biological control, sustainable pest management, regulatory harmonization, and knowledge exchange. One important initiative is the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP), established by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) in 2024 following the STDF-funded regional project on pesticide residue mitigation through promotion of biopesticides.

This webinar provide a platform for researchers, regulators, development organizations, private-sector actors, students, and policymakers to discuss emerging developments in biological control and bio-solutions in Africa and Asia. The webinar will also contribute to broader discussions on sustainable agriculture, regulatory systems, trade opportunities, innovation platforms, and farmer adoption pathways.

Speaker 1: Darshik Prasadani Senadheera, Dr. Ravi Khetarpal - Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)

Advancing Biological Control and Adoption in the Asia-Pacific Region: Insights from the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP)

The presentation discussed regional efforts to strengthen biological control and biopesticide adoption in the Asia-Pacific region through the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP). It will examine experiences related to biological control, microbial biopesticides, integrated pest management, regulatory harmonization, commercialization, digital knowledge platforms, and sustainable pest management under tropical and subtropical agricultural systems.

The Asia-Pacific region faces increasing pressure to reduce pesticide residues, strengthen sustainable agricultural practices, and comply with evolving international trade standards, highlighting the growing importance of biological control and biopesticides. In response to these challenges, the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP) was launched by APAARI in May 2024 as a sustainability initiative emerging from the successful STDF-funded project, Asia Pesticide Residue Mitigation Through the Promotion of Biopesticides and Enhancement of Trade Opportunities, implemented by APAARI in partnership with AgAligned Global, USA, during 2020–2023.

The project established important foundations for promoting biopesticides in the Asia-Pacific region through the development of best practices and standardized protocols, while strengthening technical and functional capacities in maximum residue limit (MRL) data generation, biopesticide production, and regulatory harmonization among participating National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs). To sustain and expand these achievements, ABCoP was established as a regional knowledge-sharing and networking platform bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, government agencies, academia, private-sector stakeholders, and development partners. Supported by NPPOs, FAO, STDF, AARINENA, FARA, and other collaborators, the platform promotes regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable pest management in the Asia-Pacific region.

The ABCoP 2024 and 2025 discussions primarily focused on biological control and biopesticide-related practices relevant to Asia-Pacific agroecosystems, including rice, horticultural, and diversified cropping systems. Key themes included classical biological control, microbial biological control, entomopathogenic biological control, integrated pest management (IPM), regulatory and policy aspects of biological control, commercialization and private-sector engagement, and digital knowledge platforms supporting biopesticide adoption. Discussions also addressed invasive pests, residue mitigation strategies, regulatory harmonization, and practical implementation challenges under tropical and subtropical agricultural conditions.

Emerging themes such as microbiome-based disease management, AI-supported biocontrol research, and digital bioprotection platforms further highlighted the evolving role of biological control in sustainable agriculture. ABCoP continues to serve as an inclusive regional platform supporting innovation, policy dialogue, capacity development, and multi-stakeholder collaboration for advancing environmentally responsible pest management and safe agricultural trade across the Asia-Pacific region.

Speaker 2: Stella Simiyu Wafukho - CropLife Africa & Middle East Region

Accelerating Registration Processes for Biopesticides & Biocontrol agents in Africa and the Middle East Region and BioCOPPA Index Process

The presentation addressed regulatory perspectives, private-sector engagement, and policy considerations shaping the development and adoption of biological crop-protection solutions in Africa and the Middle East. It will also include the BioCOPPA Index Process.

Background documents:

BioCOPPA Index Pilot Report.pdf (4 p)
The BioCOPPA Kenya pilot workshop successfully validated the relevance and applicability of the BioCOPPA Index in the Kenyan context.

ABCOP-2024-The-Rewind.pdf (18 p)
APAARI launched the Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP) in May 2024, with the support of FAO, STDF, government agencies, private sector and international organizations such as AARINENA and FARA, to bring together stakeholders from the biopesticide sector, including industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, national representatives and other key actors.

ABCOP-2025-The-Rewinds.pdf (23 p)
The Asia-Pacific Biopesticide Community of Practice (ABCoP) builds on the momentum of 2024–25 as it moves into 2026, focusing on strengthening regulatory systems, accelerating adoption, and fostering an enabling innovation ecosystem for biologicals.

 

Upcoming:

10-11 June 2026. Biopesticides Europe 2026
Biopesticides Europe 2026 brings together the full biological crop protection value chain to focus on turning regulatory change, climate pressure and market demand into real, scalable opportunities for biologicals.

AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : June 2026

 

Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Global AgriInno Challenge 2026

2026-06-20

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks youth-led innovations and solutions in response to the challenges associated with distribution and sales of agri-food products. Selected teams of two to five young innovators will be invited to further develop and pitch their digital development solutions. Winning teams will receive seed funding of US$30 thousand to develop their ideas. The agri-innovation challenge is open to all youth (below 35 years old) with digital innovations or ideas for the agri-food sector. The deadline to submit an application form is 20 June 2026.

GoGettaz

Agripreneur Prize 2026

2026-06-28

The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition supports innovative, young food and agribusiness entrepreneurs who are transforming the African food system. The contest is open to food system founders or co-founders aged 18 to 35 who hold nationality from an African Union member state. Eligible businesses can span any part of the agrifood value chain, including production, logistics, agro-processing, and digital farming solutions. The program features a total prize pool of US$160 thousand, which includes two US$50 thousand grand prizes awarded to one male-led and one female-led business, alongside four US$15 thousand impact awards for ventures excelling in areas like climate resilience, technology, and food security. The deadline for complete applications is 28 June 2026.

World Academy of Sciences

Prize in Agricultural Sciences or Biology

2026-06-30

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Award in Agricultural Sciences or Biology. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Agricultural Sciences or Biology. Eligible nominees are female scientists from scientifically and technologically lagging countries. The prize is a US$4 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 30 June 2026.

Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

Conservation Action Research Network

Aspire Grant Program 2026

2026-06-10

The Aspire Grant Program provides competitive research grants of up to US$5 thousand for African graduate students and early-career professionals working in the areas of biodiversity, conservation, wildlife, and ecosystem health in the Congo Basin. Applicants should be 35 years of age or younger and reside in one of the following countries: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, or Uganda. The application deadline (English, French, Spanish) is 10 June 2026.

UNESCO

Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation

2026-06-15

UNESCO invites nominations for the Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Conservation to recognize outstanding contributions to the management or preservation of the environment. Eligible candidates include individuals, groups of individuals, institutes, and organizations that have made significant impacts through environmental and natural resources research, environmental education and training, or the creation of protected areas such as biosphere reserves and World Heritage sites. The prize consists of a diploma and a financial award of US$100 thousand. The deadline for nominations is 15 June 2026.

Earth Journalism Network

Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions Story Grants 2026

2026-06-30

The Earth Journalism Network invites applications for its Biodiversity Story Grants to support the production of in-depth media stories on biodiversity and nature-based solutions. Early-career and experienced journalists from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan or Madagascar may apply. The program expects to award up to 25 grants with an average budget of €1.800 each. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026.

Paradise Wildlife Park

Grants for Conservation Projects

2026-06-30

Paradise Wildlife Park offers short-term grants for conservation projects around the world. The maximum amount available is £1000 per project. Funding can cover fieldwork for students and researchers. The applying organization must be based in the species range country. The application deadline is 30 June 2026.

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Wildlife Photography Competition

2026-06-30

The competition celebrates the hilarity of our natural world and highlights what we need to do to protect it through funny animal pictures. The competition is open to wildlife photography novices, amateurs, and professionals. Winners receive prizes (no cash awards). The deadline for entries is 30 June 2026.

Prince Albert II Foundation

Call for Projects 2026

2026-06-30

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation invites online proposals for projects that address climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, or water resource management and desertification. The program supports initiative activities by organizations, companies, and public institutions. Eligible projects must be located in the Mediterranean, polar zones, or countries classified by the United Nations as Least Developed Countries. The foundation does not specify a maximum grant amount, but requested funding cannot exceed 50% of the total project budget. The application closes on 30 June 2026.

Society for Marine Mammalogy

Research Grants for Field Research

2026-06-30

The Society for Marine Mammalogy makes grants to its members who are nationals of emerging and developing countries. Grants are for up to US$2 thousand for field research by early-career researchers. Recipients who subsequently have their research accepted for presentation at a SMM biennial conference will receive $500 toward travel expenses to the conference. Applications are particularly welcome from scientists working in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, and Russia. The application period ends on 30 June 2026.

BBVA Foundation

Awards in Frontiers of Knowledge, Nominations 2026

2026-06-30

The BBVA Foundation annually makes awards to recognize innovative and fundamental advances in science, culture, and collaboration. Thematic areas include ecology and conservation biology; climate change; and development cooperation (among others). In each prize category, BBVA awards €400 thousand plus a diploma and commemorative artwork. The awards are open to individuals and organizations of any nationality. (Note: Self-nomination is not permitted.) The deadline for nomination is 30 June 2026.

Crosscutting

Regional Studies Association

Research Grants

2026-06-03

The Regional Studies Association (RSA) supports outstanding individual researchers on topics related to regional studies and regional science. Individuals can apply for up to £5 thousand for projects of up to 18 months in duration. Please note that applicants have to be RSA members (non-members may apply and join RSA at the same time). Grants have no geographical limitation, past grant holders come from Egypt, Argentina, China, etc. Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by 03 March 2026.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships

2026-06-03

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) supports the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries. The scholarships fund cultural and academic exchanges and are awarded across many subjects, including climate resilience and life sciences. Eligibility extends to citizens of (or with refugee status in) a Commonwealth country other than the country hosting the award. Scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses (stipend) for the duration of the award, return economy flight, one-off arrival allowance, and research support grant (on request). The application deadline is 03 June 2026.

Sony

Women in Technology Award with Nature

2026-06-05

Sony invites applications for the Sony Women in Technology Award to recognize outstanding women researchers whose work drives positive impact for society and the planet. The award is open to women in early- to mid-career stages—defined as being within 25 years of completing an undergraduate degree—who work in academia, research institutions, or university spinout companies globally. Three winners will each receive US$250 thousand to support and accelerate their research, along with opportunities to showcase their achievements on nature.com. The deadline for applications is 05 June 2026.

Stiftung Entrepreneurship

Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition 2026

2026-06-05

The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) invites entrepreneurs from all around the world to submit innovative answers and ideas to solve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Young entrepreneurs (age 15-35) submit their ideas and projects in the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship category. Entrepreneurs over 30 years apply to the Adult Citizen Entrepreneurship category. The winners receive a certificate and international recognition. The deadline for entries is 05 June 2026.

Together Women Rise

Empowering Women and Girls living in Extreme Poverty

2026-06-05

Together Women Rise (formerly Dining for Women) makes grants to non-profit organizations that support women and girls living in extreme poverty in developing countries. Thematic areas include access to clean water and sanitation, food security, and education, among other themes. Together Women Rise accepts applications in the range of US$35 thousand to $50 thousand. Eligibility extends to US 5.01(c)3 corporations or international organizations with a fiscal sponsor. The grant cycle to submit letters of intent is open from 05 May to 05 June 2026.

European Commission Erasmus Mundus

International Masters Degree in Environment 2026-2028

2026-06-07

MESPOM is a two-year Erasmus Mundus master's course in environmental sciences, policy, and management operated by four European and two North American universities. MESPOM invites applications from all countries. MESPOM aims to prepare students for identifying and implementing solutions to complex environmental sustainability challenges, especially in an international context. Graduates receive MSc degrees from the Central European University, Lund University, and the University of Manchester. The program offers several forms of financial assistance, including tuition fee waivers and living stipends. Candidates applying for financial aid should submit their applications before 07 January 2026.

D-Prize

Funding Entrepreneurs to Alleviate Poverty

2026-06-07

The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 17 May (early deadline); 07 June (regular deadline); or 28 June 2026 (limited extension).

TiE WOMEN

Support for Female Entrepreneurs

2026-06-10

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.

LEAP Africa

Social Innovators Program

2026-06-12

LEAP Africa invites applications for its Social Innovators Programme. This nine-month fellowship supports early-stage social entrepreneurs by providing them with mentorship, capacity-building training, and access to investors to help scale their ventures. To be eligible, applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of an African nation, between 18 and 35 years old, and the founder or co-founder of an impact-driven social venture located within an African community. No direct cash prize or grant amount is specified, but fellows gain strategic visibility and opportunities to pitch their enterprises to potential funders. The deadline for applications is 12 June 2026.

African Design Centre

Fellowship

2026-06-14

The MASS Design Group African Design Centre (ADC) Fellowship supports emerging African designers and architects in transforming project insights into real-world social impact. The fellowship provides mentorship, training, and resources to catalyze innovation rooted in local contexts and community needs. Open to early-career professionals leading design-driven projects across Africa, fellows engage in capacity building and collaborative learning to scale sustainable architectural solutions. Applicants must be nationals of an African country and be no older than 35 years. Interested applicants should complete an online application by 14 June 2026.

Global Citizens

Waislitz Global Citizen Award 2026

2026-06-14

The Waislitz Global Citizen Award is an annual cash prize recognizing the excellence of one individual in their work to end extreme poverty. The program is open to applicants aged 18 and older from any country, provided they represent a legally registered entity, such as a non-profit organization, social enterprise, or for-profit business. Rather than funding future project proposals, the awards serve as cash prizes recognizing established proof of concept, scalability, and system-changing solutions. The program features three distinct cash prizes of US$100 thousand each: the Grand Prize, the Disruptor Award, and the Choice Award, totaling US$300 thousand in unconditional funding. The deadline for self-nominated applications is 14 June 2026.

Learning Planet Institute

Youth Design Challenge

2026-06-15

The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: Community Engagement, Socio-emotional Development, and Sustainability (planetary health and regenerative economy). The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 15 January 2026.

World Academy of Sciences

TWAS-CUI Fellowship Programme for Postgraduate Research

2026-06-15

The TWAS-CUI Fellowship Program for Postgraduate Research offers fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to obtain their PhD in natural sciences. Fellowships are tenable in the departments and laboratories of the campuses of the COMSATS University Islamabad (Pakistan). Duration is from six months to a maximum of 3 years (18 months for a sandwich program). CUI will provide a monthly stipend which should be used to cover living costs. The call for applications is open until 15 June 2026.

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Digital Green Talents Award

2026-06-15

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) recognizes young researchers worldwide working at the intersection of digitalization and sustainability. Awardees receive a fully funded three-month research stay in Germany. Eligible applicants are Master's students in their final year or current PhD candidates (or recent graduates within three months), under 30 years old, with strong academic records. Past winners include many in renewable energy, water management, and environmental engineering. The deadline is 15 June 2026.

SOAS University of London

Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship

2026-06-17

SOAS University of London offers two postgraduate scholarships aimed at nurturing future African leaders. The program supports international students starting a full-time, one-year taught master’s degree program in the 2026/27 academic year. Preference is given to applicants who are ordinarily resident in an African nation and who demonstrate a clear academic or professional interest in governance or development on the continent. Each of the two available awards provides a total value of £45,479, which covers full tuition fees and provides the remaining balance as a direct maintenance stipend for living expenses. The deadline for online applications is 17 June 2026.

Global Development Network

Global Development Awards Competition 2026

2026-06-17

The Global Development Awards Competition is open for applications. The awards recognize excellence in policy-oriented research, support research capacity development of researchers in low and middle-income countries, and fund innovative social development projects benefiting marginalized groups in the developing world. The program targets non-profit NGOs and CSOs that are currently implementing projects focused on science, technology, and innovation to support marginalized groups. Three winners will receive grants totaling US$125 thousand: two first-prize winners receive US$50 thousand each, and one second-prize winner receives US$25 thousand, all accompanied by technical advising. Additionally, the first-prize winners may later compete for a Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) grant of up to US$200 thousand after a twelve-month implementation period. The application deadline is 17 June 2026.

French Institutes for Advanced Study

Fellowship Program

2026-06-25

The French Institutes for Advanced Study Fellowship Programme offers 10-month fellowships at the seven Institutes of Aix Marseille, Cergy, Loire Valley (Orléans-Tours), Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes and Paris. It welcomes applications from high-level international scholars and scientists to develop their innovative research projects in France. The FIAS Fellowship Programme is open to all disciplines in the Social Sciences and the Humanities. Fellows receive a living allowance (2,200€ per month), social security coverage, accommodation, a research and training budget, plus coverage of travel expenses. Researchers from all countries are eligible to apply. The deadline for submission is 25 June 2026.

Association of Commonwealth Universities

Fellowships

2026-06-25

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) provides fellowships for the academic and professional staff to facilitate collaboration at a distance and the creation of valuable new partnerships between ACU member universities across the Commonwealth. ACU provides financial support of up to £5,000 per fellowship. Applications close on 25 June 2026.

School of International Futures

Next Generation Foresight Fellowship

2026-06-26

The Next Generation Foresight Fellowship is an opportunity for young professionals to have more support as they begin to explore the futures and foresight field. Each fellow receives a US$1,000 prize to develop and accelerate their project. By the end of their fellowship, all fellows have the chance to run for the Fellowship Main Prize, which consists of US$10 thousand. The fellowship is open to anyone aged between 18 and 35. The closing date for submissions is 26 June 2026.

Watson Institute

Education in Social Entrepreneurship

2026-06-28

The Watson Institute offers a 16-week program designed for entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their ventures with access to a global network, training designed to strengthen skills, and mentorship with seasoned professionals, venture capitalists, and executives. Fellows can earn up to US$6,000 in seed funding for their venture. Eligibility extends to entrepreneurs leading an early-stage social impact venture, with a preference to applicants from the USA, Brazil, China, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The Watson Institute accepts applications until 28 June 2026.

UNIDO

World Sustainability Awards

2026-06-30

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization invites applications for its ONE World Sustainability Awards. The program recognizes market-ready solutions and businesses driving sustainable industrial development across three categories: sustainable supply chains, innovative start-ups, and women in industry. Eligible applicants include companies, manufacturers, cooperatives, and start-ups worldwide that demonstrate measurable environmental and social contributions aligned with sustainable development goals. Winners receive international visibility, networking opportunities, and a platform to showcase their work at the awards ceremony in Vienna, Austria. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026.

Financial Times

Africa Sustainable Futures Awards

2026-06-30

The Financial Times invites entries for the Africa Sustainable Futures Awards. This program recognizes innovative, private sector-led solutions that address development challenges across Africa in sectors such as energy access, agribusiness, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure. The awards are open to businesses and organizations operating commercially viable initiatives that demonstrate impact, scalability, and financial sustainability within the continent. While the awards provide significant international visibility and networking opportunities at the FT’s Africa Summit in London, specific cash prize amounts are not publicly specified. The deadline for submitting entries is 30 June 2026.

L'Oreal and UNESCO

Women in Science International Awards

2026-06-30

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards recognize five outstanding women researchers in the life and environmental sciences. Each laureate represents one of five geographic regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. Candidates must be actively involved in scientific research and demonstrate excellence within the international scientific community. Each of the five laureates receives €100 thousand to support their continued contribution to scientific progress. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2026.

World Academy of Sciences

TWAS-Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences

2026-06-30

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Biological Sciences. Eligible nominees are female scientists national of a low-income African country. The prize is a US$5 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 30 June 2026.

Zayed Sustainability Prize

Call for Applications

2026-06-30

The Zayed Sustainability Prize recognizes achievements that are driving impact, innovation and inspiration in environmental stewardship and global sustainability. The Prize is awarded across several categories: (i) Health; (ii) Food; (iii) Energy; (iv) Water; and (v) Global high schools (i.e., high schools in six world regions). The winners in each category receive US$600 thousand each. The closing date for applications and nominations is June 2026.

World Academy of Sciences

Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award

2026-06-30

The Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Prize recognizes woman scientists from least-developed countries with scientific achievements in clean and renewable energy; sustainable agriculture and agro-biodiversity; plastic pollution and microplastics, water purification and sanitation, climate change, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and other themes related to sustainability. The winner will receive a cash award of US$4 thousand. Candidates should be working and living in an LDC country for at least two years prior to nomination. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2026.