20 Grants, Scholarships and Global Opportunities Open Now in 2026

Time is running out on some amazing chances to win funding, scholarships, and global experiences. As of March 26, 2026, these 20 Grants, Scholarships and Global Opportunities Currently Open offer paths for writers, leaders, journalists, and innovators. From writing contests to fully funded summits, this list covers diverse fields like media, health, and sustainability. Each one includes direct action links and deadlines to help you apply fast.

Here’s a quick summary table to scan deadlines, funding, and who can apply:

#	Opportunity Name	Funding Amount	Deadline	Category	Brief Eligibility
1	Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026	N/A	April 30, 2026	Writing Competition	School-aged children globally
2	Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Dominican Republic 2026	Up to $50,000 CAD	April 13, 2026	Grant	Local organizations in Dominican Republic
3	Code for Africa AI Sandbox Seed Grant 2026	Up to $3,000	March 30, 2026	Grant	HRD organizations in Sahel, West, East Africa
4	SOAS Teaching Scholarships 2026/2027	Full-time scholarships	March 21, 2026	Scholarship	Black British students; those in Africa, Asia, Middle East
5	Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment 2026	$100,000	March 20, 2026	Award	Leaders with impact on women and girls
6	EJN Biodiversity Media Grants 2026	Up to 12,000 EUR	March 28, 2026	Media Grant	Media organizations in low/middle-income countries
7	UNESCO MGIEP/APCEIU 12th Youth Leadership Workshop on GCED 2026	Funded	March 26, 2026	Workshop/Fellowship	Youth leaders
8	Roche Scholarship to Attend the One Young World Summit 2026	Fully-funded	May 6, 2026	Scholarship	Young leaders in health/sustainability
9	Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship to attend One Young World Summit 2026	Fully-funded	May 6, 2026	Scholarship	Vulnerable youth leaders
10	Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest 2026	$1,000 prize	June 8, 2026	Competition	Youth artists/writers
11	Cornell Public Health Fellowships 2026	N/A	March 23, 2026	Fellowship	Public health candidates
12	IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship 2026	Funded	April 19, 2026	Fellowship	Women/nonbinary journalists globally
13	EJN Biodiversity Media Grants 2026	Up to 12,000 EUR	March 28, 2026	Media Grant	Media organizations in low/middle-income countries
14	Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program 2026	N/A	March 20, 2026	Program/Grant	Alumni startups
15	John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship 2026	Salary provided	April 15, 2026	Fellowship	Astronomy advocates
16	INMA Africa Elevate Scholarship 2026	N/A	April 17, 2026	Scholarship	Aspiring journalists in Africa
17	UNU-IIGH Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme 2026	N/A	Unspecified	Fellowship	PhD candidates
18	Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest 2026	$1,000 prize	June 8, 2026	Competition	Youth artists/writers
19	ROGEAP Regional Solar Business Plan Competition 2026	$10,000 prize	March 21, 2026	Competition	Entrepreneurs/startups in off-grid solar, Africa
20	Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship to Attend One Young World Summit 2026	Fully-funded	March 27, 2026	Scholarship	Emerging changemakers on women/girls issues

Detailed descriptions and apply links follow below.

1. Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026

The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition stands as the world’s oldest international writing contest for schools. The Royal Commonwealth Society has run it since 1883. Young writers can submit stories or essays on themes that matter to them. Click here to apply | Deadline: April 30, 2026. This fits the Writing Competition category and welcomes school-aged children from around the world.

2. Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – Dominican Republic 2026 (up to $50,000 CAD)

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives supports small-scale projects with big impact in developing countries. These projects match Canada’s goals and come from local partners. The fund also builds stronger ties between Canada and those nations. Click here to apply | Deadline: April 13, 2026. Open to local groups in the Dominican Republic, this falls under the Grant category.

3. Code for Africa AI Sandbox Seed Grant 2026 (up to $3,000)

This grant helps human rights groups in Africa boost their work with AI tools. The Digitalise Youth group and Code for Africa offer five seed grants. They target civil society organizations in the Sahel plus nearby West and East Africa spots. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 30, 2026. HRD organizations in those regions qualify for this Grant.

4. SOAS Teaching Scholarships 2026/2027

These scholarships cover full-time MPhil or PhD studies at SOAS. They go to Black British students and those living in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. The program builds skills for teaching and research. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 21, 2026. This Scholarship targets those specific student groups.

5. Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment 2026 ($100,000 award)

$100,000 prize

This award honors leaders who bring new ideas and real change for women and girls. It spots those who make lives better through bold actions. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 20, 2026. Leaders showing strong results can apply in the Award category.

6. EJN Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 (up to 12,000 EUR)

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network gives grants to media groups in low- and middle-income countries. The funds help projects that improve news on biodiversity loss and fixes. This first listing highlights better reporting skills. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 28, 2026. Media organizations qualify for this Media Grant.

7. UNESCO MGIEP/APCEIU 12th Youth Leadership Workshop on GCED 2026 (Funded)

APCEIU and UNESCO’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute host this workshop. The theme is “Translating Peace into Action: Leveraging Media and the Arts for Youth Advocacy.” It trains young people to push for peace through creative tools. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 26, 2026. Youth leaders fit this Workshop/Fellowship category.

8. Roche Scholarship to Attend the One Young World Summit 2026 (Fully-funded to Cape Town)

Roche is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions globally by 2045 and halving the environmental impacts of its products and operations.

Climate change links planet health to human health, says Roche. This scholarship sends winners to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town. It backs sustainable health ideas. Click here to apply | Deadline: May 6, 2026. Young leaders in health or sustainability apply for this Scholarship.

9. Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship to attend One Young World Summit 2026 (Fully-funded to Cape Town)

The Z Zurich Foundation works on climate change adaptation, mental health, social fairness, and crisis response. These pillars tackle big issues for people and communities. The scholarship funds trips to the One Young World Summit. Click here to apply | Deadline: May 6, 2026. It suits vulnerable youth leaders in the Scholarship category.

10. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest 2026 (Win $1,000 prize)

$1,000 prize

The theme “Your Story, Our Ocean” asks entrants to share personal ocean ties. It does not matter if you live by the sea or far inland. The contest celebrates how oceans shape our lives. Click here to apply | Deadline: June 8, 2026. Youth artists and writers enter this Competition.

11. Cornell Public Health Fellowships 2026

These fellowships train the next wave of public health experts. They focus on fixing broken systems and tough health problems. Cornell aims to rebuild strong public health work. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 23, 2026. Public health candidates qualify for this Fellowship.

12. IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship 2026 (Funded)

This six-month program trains women and nonbinary journalists on human rights and social justice. The International Women’s Media Foundation started it in 2005 to honor Elizabeth Neuffer. She won their Courage award before her death in Iraq. Click here to apply | Deadline: April 19, 2026. Journalists from any country apply for this Fellowship.

13. EJN Biodiversity Media Grants 2026 (up to 12,000 EUR)

This repeat listing offers 10,000-12,000 EUR per grant to three or four groups. Winners get mentors to boost biodiversity stories. It aims to grow coverage and skills on nature threats. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 28, 2026. Media organizations in low/middle-income countries take this Media Grant.

14. Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program 2026

FAST gives business help, training, and networks to young entrepreneurs. Key partners include:

• CCHub Nigeria
• MDF Global
• Concree
• Scale up
• Savannah Innovations Lab
• Center for Enterprising Organizations
• Inkomoko
• Africa Leadership Academy

Click here to apply | Deadline: March 20, 2026. Alumni startups join this Program/Grant.

15. John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship 2026

This full-time spot lasts one year and can renew for another. Pay matches the AIP Congressional Science Fellowship level. It honors John Bahcall, a top astronomy voice and researcher. Click here to apply | Deadline: April 15, 2026. Astronomy advocates fit this Fellowship.

16. INMA Africa Elevate Scholarship 2026

This program blends journalism passion with business know-how. It helps those eyeing news media careers but short on training. Participants learn to shape society through smart reporting. Click here to apply | Deadline: April 17, 2026. Aspiring African journalists apply for this Scholarship.

17. UNU-IIGH Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme 2026

PhD students gain from work on UN global health policies. The United Nations University program adds real-world policy skills to studies. It links research to action. Click here to apply | Deadline: Unspecified. PhD candidates enter this Fellowship.

18. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest 2026 (Win $1,000 prize)

This second listing repeats the “Your Story, Our Ocean” theme. It draws out stories on how oceans sustain and inspire us all. Coastal or not, everyone has a link. Click here to apply | Deadline: June 8, 2026. Youth artists and writers join this Competition.

19. ROGEAP Regional Solar Business Plan Competition 2026 ($10,000 prize)

The contest seeks smart plans for off-grid solar power. It targets West Africa, the Sahel, and Central Africa. Winners speed up clean energy access. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 21, 2026. Entrepreneurs and startups in off-grid solar apply for this Competition.

20. Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship to Attend One Young World Summit 2026 (Fully-funded to Cape Town, SA)

Now in year two, this scholarship aids leaders on women and girls’ issues. It gives tools, knowledge, and a world stage for change. The One Young World Summit in Cape Town awaits. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 27, 2026. Emerging changemakers qualify for this Scholarship.

SHARE THIS POST WITH OTHERS

Frequently Asked Questions