Deadline: 20-Feb-2026
The GEO Mountains Small Grants Call supports projects that strengthen mountain monitoring, data generation and knowledge sharing across key global mountain regions. With funding up to CHF 10,000 per project, the programme prioritises practical, collaborative, and data-driven initiatives that enhance sustainable mountain development. Selected projects must deliver measurable outputs and contribute to the GEO Mountains community.
Overview
The GEO Mountains Small Grants Call provides funding for researchers and practitioners working to improve mountain monitoring, data systems and information flow in some of the world’s most vulnerable and high-priority mountain regions. The programme is designed to advance scientific understanding, support sustainable development and strengthen community resilience through high-quality data and collaborative research.
Priority Regions
The call focuses on five critical mountain regions that require stronger data generation and analytical insights:
• Andes
• Central Asia
• East Africa
• South Caucasus
• Hindu Kush Himalaya
Projects may consolidate existing knowledge, expand monitoring systems or introduce new research capacities that support long-term sustainability and decision-making.
Funding Details
• Up to CHF 10,000 per project
• Up to two funded projects per region
• Competitive selection with preference for proposals leveraging additional resources
• Project duration: up to 14 months
• All activities must conclude by August 2027
The funding structure supports targeted, practical work capable of delivering clear and measurable results.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Maintain a complete and updated profile in the MRI Expert Database
• Join the GEO Mountains network upon selection
• Demonstrate relevant expertise and collaborative capacity
• Encourage involvement of early-career researchers and scholars from developing countries
These criteria ensure strong contributions to the GEO Mountains community and promote inclusive participation.
Eligible Activities
Funding may be used for:
• Workshops and meetings
• Researcher or data developer time
• Essential equipment for producing project outputs
• Student support
• Publication costs associated with datasets
Ineligible costs include:
• Personal travel to conferences
• Institutional overheads
The emphasis is on supporting direct, output-oriented research activities.
Interdisciplinary and Stakeholder Engagement
The call strongly encourages interdisciplinary approaches combining natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and multiple data types such as:
• In situ observations
• Remote sensing
• Modelling
Engagement with non-academic stakeholders—including NGOs, practitioners and community groups—is also welcomed to ensure real-world relevance and wider impact.
Project Requirements and Reporting
Selected applicants must:
• Sign a grant agreement
• Maintain communication with the GEO Mountains Secretariat
• Ensure visibility of project activities through GEO Mountains communication channels
• Submit final activity and financial reports within six weeks of project completion
All outputs must acknowledge GEO Mountains support.
Why It Matters
Mountain regions are essential for biodiversity, water resources, climate regulation and the livelihoods of millions. However, they face significant environmental and social vulnerabilities. By improving data systems and promoting collaborative research, this grant programme helps generate the knowledge needed to guide sustainable development and informed policymaking.
How to Apply
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Prepare a project concept aligned with priority regions and thematic focus.
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Ensure your MRI Expert Database profile is complete and up to date.
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Develop a proposal outlining objectives, methods, outputs, timeline and budget.
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Highlight interdisciplinary integration and stakeholder engagement.
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Demonstrate how additional funding or resources enhance impact.
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Submit your application through the official GEO Mountains platform as outlined in the call documentation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Submitting proposals without clear, measurable outputs
• Proposing activities unrelated to data generation or monitoring
• Neglecting interdisciplinary aspects
• Ignoring requirements for profiles or network membership
• Budgeting for ineligible costs such as conference travel
• Providing a vague or unrealistic implementation timeline
FAQ
1. How much funding can each project receive?
Up to CHF 10,000 per project, with up to two projects funded per region.
2. Do applicants need to join the GEO Mountains network?
Yes, all selected applicants must join the network and maintain an active profile.
3. Can early-career researchers apply?
Yes, early-career participation is encouraged, especially from developing countries.
4. What types of data are prioritized?
In situ observations, remote sensing, modelling data and integrated multi-source datasets.
5. Are travel or overhead costs allowed?
No. Conference travel and institutional overheads are not eligible for funding.
6. What is the maximum project duration?
Projects may run for up to 14 months and must finish by August 2027.
7. Are collaborative projects preferred?
Yes. Interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaborations are strongly encouraged.
Conclusion
The GEO Mountains Small Grants Call is a valuable opportunity for researchers seeking to strengthen global mountain knowledge, improve monitoring systems and support sustainable development in high-priority regions. By funding impactful, data-driven and collaborative projects, the programme helps build a more integrated understanding of mountain environments and their crucial role in global ecological and social systems.
For more information, visit GEO Mountains.