Fueling Innovation: Grants and Opportunities for Bold Ideas

[September 2026] What if the right funding could help turn innovative ideas into meaningful discoveries? Explore a curated selection of grants supporting innovation, new ideas, scientific advancement, and knowledge development across diverse fields. Designed for researchers, academics, students, institutions, and other eligible applicants, these opportunities can help transform ideas into impactful solutions and discoveries.

Bennington Young Musicians Awards: Celebrating High School Musical Innovation

Deadline: 1-November-2026

The Bennington Young Musicians Awards, part of the Bennington College Young Creators Awards, recognize outstanding high school students worldwide for their original compositions and musical innovation…[more] Early Career Investigator Award for Ataxia Research

Deadline: 18-November-2026

The National Ataxia Foundation Early Career Investigator Award provides $50,000 for a one-year research project addressing the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, or treatment of ataxia…[more] National Ataxia Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award 2027

Deadline: 18-November-2026

The National Ataxia Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award provides $40,000 for one year to early-career researchers conducting innovative studies on the causes, mechanisms, or treatment of ataxia…[more] Graduate Research Fellowship Grant for Ataxia Research

Deadline: 18-Novemebr-2026

The National Ataxia Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship provides $25,000 for one year to outstanding PhD or equivalent research-degree students conducting basic, translational, or clinical research on ataxia…[more] Nominations open for iF Design Student Award

Deadline: 03-February-2027

The iF Design Student Award invites current students and recent graduates from design-related programs worldwide to submit innovative concepts addressing the first 15 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals…[more]

Classical: NEXT Project Pitches for Art Music Innovators

Deadline: 09-October-2026

Classical:NEXT is inviting applications from music professionals worldwide to pitch innovative art music and classical music projects to an international audience of delegates, industry professionals, artists, and potential collaborators…[more]

Open Call for Classical: NEXT Showcase Proposals

Deadline: 09-October-2026

Classical:NEXT is inviting applications from soloists and ensembles worldwide to propose innovative live showcases for its 2027 festival, providing artists with an opportunity to perform before an international community of music professionals…[more]

Call for Entries: AMBSO Impact Research Initiative

Deadline: 16-October-2026

The AMBSO Impact Research Initiative provides grants of up to USD 10,000 for innovative early-stage research, proof-of-concept studies, and pilot projects addressing priority health challenges…[more]

Diamond Challenge: Global Entrepreneurship Competition for High School Students

Deadline: 14-January-2027

The Diamond Challenge is a global entrepreneurship competition that helps high school students develop business and social venture concepts while competing for a $100,000 prize pool…[more] Open Call for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award recognizes individuals, organizations, research centers, and innovators developing renewable-energy-powered solutions for producing, purifying, storing, distributing, and monitoring clean water…[more] Call for Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Deadline: 01-March-2027

The CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early-career scientists developing expertise at the intersection of cancer immunology, immunology, computational biology, data science, and genomics…[more] Nominations open for Planet Forward Storyfest Awards

Deadline: 15-January-2027

The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards recognize outstanding student storytelling on environmental innovation and positive solutions for the planet…[more] Apply now for the 2027 Kectil Program

Deadline: 15-November-2026

The 2027 Kectil Program is a free, yexar-long leadership initiative for young changemakers aged 17–26 who live in developing countries…[more]

Call for Applications: GFF x CIVIC VOICES Subgrants

Deadline: 07-October-2026

The GFF x CIVIC VOICES initiative is providing subgrants to partnerships of local civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth-led organizations in 20 African countries to strengthen advocacy, civic engagement, health financing accountability, and health and nutrition outcomes for women, children, and adolescents…[more]

Open Call: European Prize for Women Innovators

Deadline: 01-December-2026

The European Prize for Women Innovators recognises women entrepreneurs who have developed impactful innovations and contributed to research, technology, and entrepreneurship in Europe…[more]

Request for Proposals: Rising Innovators Grant Programme

Deadline: 01-December-2026

The Rising Innovators Grant Programme recognises and supports women under 35 who have founded or co-founded companies or organisations in the EU or Horizon Europe associated countries and have developed impactful, disruptive innovations…[more]

CFAs: Optimizing Enzyme Innovation for Industrial Plant-Based Processing

Deadline: 07-Novemebr-2026

Roquette is inviting innovators worldwide to develop custom enzyme solutions that can improve the processing of plant-based ingredients for industrial applications…[more] AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme for Innovation and Development Research

Deadline: 02-October-2026

The AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Programme (VFP) supports African PhD students conducting research at the intersection of innovation and development…[more] Call for Projects to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2027 in the Mediterranean

Deadline: 03-November-2026

MedWet is offering financial support of up to €300 for organizations in eligible Mediterranean countries to organize awareness and educational activities f