Forest and biodiversity conservation, climate action and adaptation, environmental and urban research, professional development, eco-focused artistic creation, and natural heritage protection are some of the topics with open calls in March 2026.
Discover opportunities that can boost conservation and sustainable development!
AIM4Forests: Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests. The Young Forest Champions Initiative program is aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 from Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Uganda, and Zambia who want to lead forest conservation and climate action in their communities. Through mentoring and training in technologies such as remote sensing, they will strengthen their capacities to restore forests, monitor ecosystems, and protect key landscapes. It is aimed at students or recent graduates with intermediate or higher English language skills and availability during 2026. Applications from women, indigenous youth, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged. Closing date: March 21st. Apply here.
Urban Studies Foundation (USF): The goal is to fund innovative, rapid-response research proposals that address the most pressing urban challenges (climate, housing, health, technology, etc.), contributing to more just, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures. The research must generate new evidence and be clearly situated in the field of urban studies. Closing date: March 23rd. Apply here.
Team Up for Climate 2026: The competition calls on students and young graduates from around the world to form teams of 2 to 5 members to design innovative solutions that help communities adapt and coexist in the face of climate risks. The process includes mentoring by scientific experts and training in social entrepreneurship with the NGO Makesense. The winning teams will receive funding, specialized support, and opportunities for international visibility, including a study trip to Paris and access to incubation spaces and professional development opportunities. Closing date: March 28th. Apply here.
Midori Prize: The MIDORI Prize recognizes that protecting biodiversity requires the participation and cooperation of all stakeholders: citizens, governments, international organizations, NGOs, researchers, and the private sector. Therefore, its main objective is to highlight and collaborate with those who contribute significantly to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Closing date: March 31st. Apply here.
Young Champions of the Earth Award: The Young Champions of the Earth Award is UNEP’s flagship global youth initiative and seeks to recognize and promote young innovators between the ages of 18 and 30 (including entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, and communicators) who have actively developed an environmental idea or solution for at least six months. Original and viable proposals that respond to the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste, and that demonstrate the potential to generate tangible benefits for people and the planet, are valued. Closing date: March 31st. Apply here.
LGT Venture Philanthropy: LGT Venture Philanthropy’s call for applications offers experienced professionals the opportunity to apply their skills for 12 months in non-profit organizations or social and environmental impact companies in its global portfolio, mainly in Latin America, Africa, India, and Europe. Through an in-person commitment, fellows strengthen the organizational capacity of these entities by implementing systems and processes and transferring knowledge to local teams to scale their impact. It is aimed at professionals with at least two years of post-graduate work experience, proficiency in English, and full-time availability for one year, with experience in areas such as finance, strategy, project management, data analysis, or fundraising. Closing date: March 31st. Apply here.
COAL Award: The COAL Award invites artists from around the world to submit projects that address the annual theme of “the night” as a common good and a fundamental ecological challenge. The call seeks innovative proposals that reflect on night as a refuge for biodiversity, the right to rest, and darkness in the face of light pollution, promoting an “ecology of rhythms” that revalues its natural and cultural dimension. Originality, environmental relevance, pedagogical approach, eco-design, and collaboration with conservation actors are valued. Closing date: April 28th. Apply here.
Environmental Impact Fund for Climate Intervention: This fund seeks to finance field tests of climate interventions that include significant investments in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), predictive impact modeling, and/or participation of potentially affected stakeholders. Closing date: May 1st. Apply here.
Grants from Rapid Response Facility (RRF): The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) provides emergency support to natural World Heritage sites in times of crisis. The RRF is a partnership between the UNESCO World Heritage Center and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). RRF grants are available to UNESCO natural World Heritage sites. The RRF only funds actions at a site facing an ‘emergency’ threat to its biodiversity. They do not fund ongoing problems, even if they require urgent action. Closing date: No deadline. Apply here.
Rufford Grants Program: This grant program offers grants for nature conservation projects in the developing world. There are five consecutive funding schemes: Rufford Small Grant, 2nd Rufford Small Grant, Booster Grant, 2nd Booster Grant, and Completion Grant. The primary requirement is that the work must be pragmatic in nature and have a substantial and lasting impact on the issue at hand (conservation). There will often be a significant human element in a successful proposal, with community education and participation being very important. The Foundation has a broad scope of interest. In addition to the conservation of animals in their habitat, it also wishes to support conservation work focused on threatened habitats and other organisms such as plants, fungi, or insects. Closing date: No deadline. Apply here.
