50+ Newly Listed Global Awards, Prizes & Challenges for NGOs, Innovators & Changemakers

[August 2026] Discover 50+ newly listed global awards, prizes, challenges, competitions, and recognition opportunities for NGOs, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, youth, artists, journalists, and changemakers. Explore opportunities across diverse fields, including innovation, sustainability, climate action, healthcare, education, technology, conservation, social impact, and more. Check the eligibility criteria and deadlines to find the opportunities that best match your work, ideas, research, or initiatives.

Call for Nominations: Global Prize for Innovation in Water

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) invites innovators, researchers, universities, research teams, and specialized institutions worldwide to submit groundbreaking solutions to major water-sector challenges…[more] Nomination open for Stockholm Water Prize

Deadline: 15-September-2026

The Stockholm Water Prize is an international award recognizing individuals, institutions, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to water research, sustainable water management, policy, or practical solutions…[more] Nominations Open for IWRS Teaching Innovation Award

Deadline: 15-November-2026

The IWRS Teaching Innovation Award provides funding to instructors developing or implementing innovative teaching approaches that improve learning while promoting the 3Rs—replacement, reduction, and refinement in the use of invertebrates…[more]

Call for Nominations: Whitley Award for Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation

Deadline: 30-October-2026

The Whitley Awards provide £50,000 in project funding to grassroots conservation leaders who are delivering proven, science-based solutions for threatened ecosystems and biodiversity…[more]

CFAS: Stephenson Exploration Advancement Program Award

Deadline: 02-October-2026

The Stephenson Exploration Advancement Program Award provides US$10,000 awards to support college undergraduates, graduate students, and independent explorers conducting hands-on marine research and conservation fieldwork…[more] Apply for Wege Prize Circular Economy Challenge

Deadline: 04-October-2026

The Wege Prize is an international competition that challenges student teams to develop innovative, circular solutions to real-world problems affecting people, businesses, and the environment…[more]

Call for Nominations: OPEC Award for Research

Deadline: 30-November-2026

The OPEC Award for Research recognizes an outstanding individual researcher whose work has made a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding of the petroleum industry and oil-related issues…[more] Submit Entries for Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award

Deadline: 08-January-2027

The Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award supports individuals developing ambitious projects that reflect the values of the Transglobe Expedition, including exploration, personal challenge, scientific discovery, education, humanitarian engagement, and environmental or cultural understanding…[more] Nominations open for CitiesToBe Photo Award

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The CitiesToBe Photo Award is accepting applications from photographers and artist collectives worldwide for photographic projects exploring the theme of “third places”—informal social spaces beyond home and work that shape urban life…[more] Entries open for Robotics for Good Youth Challenge

Deadline: 01-September-2026

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2026–2027 is an international youth competition that promotes AI, robotics, creativity, and problem-solving by challenging young people to design, build, and program robots that address real-world problems…[more] Young Inventors Prize for Sustainable Solutions

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The Young Inventors Prize 2027, organised by the European Patent Office (EPO), recognizes young innovators from around the world who are developing technology-driven solutions that address global sustainability challenges and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)…[more] Nominations open for Social Economy Awards 2027

Deadline: 02-April-2027

The Social Economy Awards invite young people across Europe to create innovative works that highlight the role of the social economy in building a fairer, greener, and more inclusive future…[more] Global Youth Awards 2026 for Young Changemakers

Deadline: 01-September-2026

The Global Youth Awards 2026 are accepting nominations from young people aged 11–25 years who are creating positive social and environmental change…[more] Global Youth Awards Song Competition 2026 for Young Musicians

Deadline: 01-October-2026

The Global Youth Awards Song Competition 2026 is accepting applications from young musicians, songwriters, lyricists, and creative groups aged 11–25 years worldwide…[more]

CFPs: UNCTAD 2nd Supply Chain Innovation Challenge

Deadline: 04-September-2026

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is inviting innovators worldwide to submit original proposals that use frontier technologies to make global supply chains more resilient, sustainable, efficient, and inclusive…[more] Entries Open for Georg Forster Research Award

Deadline: 31-October-2026

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is accepting nominations for the Georg Forster Research Award 2026, which recognizes internationally renowned researchers from developing and transition countries whose work has made outstanding academic contributions and supports sustainable development…[more] Submissions open for Young Investigator Award

Deadline: 14-September-2026

The Young Investigator Award is designed to attract early-career faculty with original research ideas to the field of melanoma…[more]

Apply Now: ISC Innovator Award for Social Innovation

Deadline: 07-September-2026

The ISC Innovator Award recognizes individuals, organizations, and collectives using contemporary sculpture to create social impact, innovation, and positive change…[more] WAVEMAKER Business Creation Award for Blue Economy Ventures

Deadline: Au