The conservation of forests and biodiversity, climate action and adaptation, environmental and urban research, professional strengthening, artistic creation with an ecological approach and the protection of natural heritage 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 between the ages of 18 and 30 from Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Uganda and Zambia who wish to lead forest conservation and climate action in their communities, through mentoring and training in technologies such as remote sensing, 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 level of English and availability during 2026. Women, indigenous youth and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Closing date: March 21. 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. Research should 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 invites 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 from scientific experts and training in social entrepreneurship with Makesense NGO. Winning teams will receive funding, specialized mentoring and international visibility opportunities, including a study trip to Paris and access to incubation and career development spaces. Closing date: March 28th. Apply here.
- Midori Prize. The MIDORI Award recognizes that the protection of 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 31. 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 encourage young innovators between the ages of 18 and 30 (including entrepreneurs, scientists, artists and communicators) who have been actively developing 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, pollution and waste, and that demonstrate the potential to generate tangible benefits for people and the planet, are valued. Closing date: March 31. Apply here.
- LGT Venture Philanthropy. The LGT Venture Philanthropy Fellowship offers experienced professionals the opportunity to apply their skills for 12 months at nonprofit organizations or social and environmental impact companies in its global portfolio, primarily in Latin America, Africa, India and Europe. Through a face-to-face engagement, 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, English proficiency and full-time availability for one year, with experience in areas such as finance, strategy, project management, data analysis or fundraising. Closing date: March 31. Apply here.
- COAL Award. The COAL Prize invites artists from around the world to submit projects that address the annual theme of “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 the darkness in the face of light pollution, promoting an “ecology of rhythms” that revalues its natural and cultural dimensions. Originality, environmental relevance, pedagogical approach, eco-design, and collaboration with conservation stakeholders are all taken into account. Closing date: April 28. Apply here.
- Environmental Impact Fund for Climate Intervention. This fund seeks to finance field trials 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 1. 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 Centre and Fauna & Flora International (FFI). RRF grants are available for natural UNESCO 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. Apply here.
- Rufford Grants Program. This grant program offers funding for nature conservation projects in the developing world. There are five consecutive funding schemes: the Rufford Small Grant, the 2nd Rufford Small Grant, the Booster Grant, the 2nd Booster Grant, and the 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). A significant human element is often present in a successful proposal, with community education and engagement being crucial. The Foundation has a broad scope of interest. In addition to the conservation of animals in their natural habitats, it also seeks to support conservation work focused on threatened habitats and other organisms such as plants, fungi, and insects. Apply here.
