[August 2026]
Explore a curated collection of grants, innovation challenges, research funding, awards, fellowships, and calls for applications focused on advancing innovation. Discover funding opportunities that empower innovators, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, academic institutions, and changemakers to develop and scale groundbreaking ideas and transformative solutions worldwide.
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]
Call for Applications: Global Innovation Challenge 2026
Deadline: August 31, 2026
The Global Innovation Challenge 2026 is requesting applications to support young social entrepreneurs and innovators leading projects and startups that create positive social and environmental impact worldwide…[more]
Apply Now: GCSP Prize for Innovation 2026
Deadline: 23-September-2026
The GCSP Prize for Innovation celebrates outstanding and innovative contributions that support impactful solutions in global security and peace. The prize recognizes bold achievements across disciplines, including initiatives, inventions, research publications, technological innovations and organisational accomplishments…[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]
Apply for Clinical Cancer Research Funding Programme
Deadline: 23-November-2026
The Clinical Cancer Research Programme supports clinical studies that aim to advance cancer treatment and improve outcomes for patients…[more]
Call for Nominations: RTIH Innovation Awards 2026
Deadline: October 02, 2026
The RTIH Innovation Awards recognise innovative technology solutions and achievements across the global omnichannel retail sector…[more]
Entries open for TII OrbitSight Challenge
Deadline: 09-September-2026
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched a global innovation challenge seeking AI-powered solutions that can process neuromorphic vision sensor (NVS) data for resident space object (RSO) detection, tracking, and visualization…[more]
Request for Proposals: Fast-Track To Impact Programme
Deadline: 31 December 2026
The Fast-track To Impact Programme is currently accepting applications to support alternative protein startups with mentorship, networking, and resources to accelerate sustainable food innovation…[more]
Call for Proposals: Seed Grant Program
Deadline: 01-September-2026
The Uncle Kory Foundation Seed Grant Program provides funding support for innovative early-stage brain cancer research projects focused on improving disease understanding, diagnosis, and treatment. Eligible academic researchers worldwide can receive up to $50,000 for one year, with the possibility of a second-year renewal based on progress and available funding…[more]
Starter Grant Programme for International Researchers
Deadline: 15-September-2026
The University of Bayreuth Starter Grant Programme 2027 supports outstanding international researchers in developing collaborative research projects with researchers at the University of Bayreuth, Germany…[more]
Open Call: Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants Program
Deadline: 15-August-2026
The Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants Program was launched by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) to support innovative community-led projects that protect democracy and promote peace, justice, and nonviolence…[more]
Request for Applications: Resilient Futures Grant Program
Deadline: 04-September-2026
The Resilient Futures Call 2026 supports non-partisan changemakers worldwide with grants for innovative ideas and proven approaches that strengthen democratic leadership and climate resilience…[more]
Open Call for Deep Tissue Healing QuickFire Challenge
Deadline: 18-September-2026
The Deep Tissue Healing QuickFire Challenge supports global innovators developing scientific and technological solutions that promote durable tissue repair in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases…[more]
Transforming Oral Peptide Delivery QuickFire Challenge
Deadline: 09-September-2026
The Transforming Oral Peptide Delivery QuickFire Challenge supports global innovators developing new technologies to improve oral peptide drug delivery and create more patient-friendly treatment options…[more]
Applications open for Urban Research Grant Program
Deadline: 15-November-2026
The Urban Research Grant Program funds collaborative research projects that develop, test, or evaluate innovative solutions for urban development and infrastructure challenges in eligible countries…[more]
Advancing Intratumoral Treatments QuickFire Challenge: Korea and Beyond
Deadline: 04-September-2026
Johnson & Johnson is inviting global oncology innovators to submit differentiated solutions that advance image-guided intratumoral interventions for solid tumors…[more]
Apply Now: Sony Research Award Program
Deadline: 15-September-2026
The Sony Research Award Program provides research funding to university faculty and researchers working on innovative technology projects in collaboration with Sony’s research and development teams…[more]
Submission Open for Active Play Challenge 2026
Deadline: 14-August-2026
The Active Play Challenge 2026 is a global innovation initiative that supports organisations developing practical solutions to make active play more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for children and young people aged 0–25 years…[more]
Nominations Open for GovTech Innovation Challenge
Deadline: August 21, 2026
This challenge invites startups, scale-ups, and SMEs worldwide to propose AI-driven solutions for automating public procurement auditing in Morocco, in partnership with the Supreme Audit Institution (Cour des Comptes), the World Bank, and Trust Valley…[more]
Apply Now: GovTech Innovation Challenge for AI Solutions
Deadline: August 21, 2026
This challenge invites startups, scale-ups, and SMEs worldwide to propose AI-driven digital solutions to modernise public finance auditing for Morocco’s General Inspectorate of Finance, with all travel and participation costs covered for selected teams…[more]
Call for Applications: Heritage Innovation Grant
Deadline: 17-September-2026
The Mondriaan Fund Heritage Innovation Grant supports museums, archives, and cultural heritage organisations in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to develop innovative heritage projects and research…[more]
Request for Proposals: International Innovation Grant
Deadline: 27-August-2026
The International Innovation Grant (IIG) by Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, provides up to $20,000 in funding for one-year innovative cancer research projects in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)…[more]
Special Call for Low-Income Country-Based Researchers
Deadline: 16-August-2026
The Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries programme is inviting researchers currently based in eligible low-income countries to apply for its sixth special Exploratory Research Grants call…[more]
8th Special ERG Call for Proposals from PhD Students
Deadline: 16-August-2026
The Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL) programme is offering the eighth special Exploratory Research Grants (ERG) call for PhD students conducting research on private enterprise development in low-income countries…[more]
GRAPPA Open Call for Circular Agri-food Innovation Projects 2026
Deadline: October 20, 2026
The GRAPPA Open Call supports SMEs in developing and commercialising innovative solutions that maximise the valorisation of agri-food biomass and side-streams…[more]
CGP: Opportunity and Innovation Grants 2026
Deadline: 02-November-2026
The CGP Opportunity and Innovation Grants support civil society organisations (CSOs) developing new approaches to promote peace, dialogue, and social cohesion in the Western Balkans…[more]
CFAs: HEDGE-IoT Open Call for SMEs and Innovators
Deadline: August 25, 2026
The HEDGE-IoT Open Call is designed to empower SMEs and startups by providing financial support and resources to develop innovative, IoT-enabled, data-driven energy services within the HEDGE-IoT framework…[more]
Eurostars Call 11 for Collaborative R&D and Innovation Projects
Deadline: 10-September-2026
The Eurostars Call 11 supports international collaborative research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) projects led by innovative SMEs working with international partners…[more]
FS4Africa Launches Open Calls to Support 15+ Innovation Projects
Deadline: August 31, 2026
The FoodSafety4Africa is pleased to announce its applications to support innovation hubs to train FS4Africa use case partners and Open Call 1 beneficiaries through mentoring and capacity-building programmes that accelerate innovative business concepts, including social innovation and upscaling…[more]
9th African Call for Proposals for Malaria Drug Discovery
Deadline: 29-August-2026
Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is inviting African scientists to submit research proposals for innovative malaria drug discovery projects…[more]
Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
Deadline: September 08, 2026
The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation awards commercialisation support and prize funding to ambitious entrepreneurs from sub-Saharan Africa developing scalable engineering solutions to local challenges…[more]
NourishNext West Africa: Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge
Deadline: 08-September -2026
The NourishNext West Africa Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge supports young innovators developing scalable solutions to improve fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa…[more]
2026 CELTIC-NEXT: Innovation Projects Funding Programme
Deadline: October 26, 2026
The CELTIC-NEXT Call for Projects invites international research and development projects focused on innovative products, processes, or services with the goal of commercialisation…[more]
Apply Now: RIS Innovation Projects for Raw Materials
Deadline: 16-October-2026
The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) is inviting proposals for Innovation Projects that strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain through sustainable technologies, circular economy solutions, and innovative business models…[more]
Entries open for Afreximbank Edordu Research Competition
Deadline: 30-September-2026
The Afreximbank–Edordu Research Competition 2026 supports Master’s and PhD students from Africa and eligible CARICOM countries to develop research on trade, industrialization, AfCFTA implementation, digital commerce, creative industries, and regional economic development…[more]
Apply Now: Future of Energy Excellence Award
Deadline: 14-August-2026
The Future of Energy Excellence Award 2026 is now open for applications. Organized by the Europe Chapter of the Intervention & Coiled Tubing Association (ICoTA), the award recognizes outstanding young professionals who have made significant technical and operational contributions to the well intervention sector across the UK, Europe, and Scandinavia…[more]
Call for Residents: Culture Moves Europe 2027
Deadline: 05-September-2026
IDRA Teatro has opened applications for “Residences of Change – Harnessing the Transformative Power of the Creative Practice,” a 31-day international residency programme in Brescia, Italy, supported by the Culture Moves Europe programme…[more]
CFPs: Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism Sustainable Tourism
Deadline: 29-October-2026
The Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM) Sustainable Tourism Capitalisation Projects Call provides €8.2 million in EU funding to support cross-border projects that promote sustainable tourism, innovation, climate resilience, SME competitiveness, and regional cooperation across the Mediterranean…[more]
Grants for Youth-Led Projects to Strengthen Flood and Drought Resilience
Deadline: 31-August-2026
The Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) Youth-Led Projects Grant 2026–27 supports innovative youth-led initiatives that strengthen community resilience to floods and droughts through practical climate action…[more]
WAVEMAKER Business Creation Award for Blue Economy Ventures
Deadline: August 31, 2026
The Innovation Fund of Montenegro is inviting applications for the WAVEMAKER Business Creation Award, a regional competition that supports innovative ventures developing scalable solutions for the blue economy…[more]
RFAs: Buried Asset Health Monitoring Innovation Project
Deadline: 14-September-2026
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is inviting proposals for a research project focused on advancing asset health monitoring technologies for buried water infrastructure…[more]
Knowledge Synthesis Grants: The Changing Nature of Security and Conflict
Deadline: 03-December-2026
The NordForsk Knowledge Synthesis Grants (KSG), launched in partnership with Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), support collaborative projects that synthesize existing research on the changing nature of security and conflict…[more]