Currently 8 active cross-disciplinary and social impact grants, fellowships and residencies open to applicants in Worldwide. Hand-curated and updated weekly. Almost every entry is funded; a few notable unpaid open calls and festival submissions are included as clearly flagged exceptions. Browse the list below, or use the interactive desk for filtering and shortlisting.
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Fellowship for emerging changemakers aged 18 to 35 using futures thinking and foresight to drive social and environmental impact. Fellows receive a $1,000 kick-starter grant, mentorship from expert foresight practitioners, capability-building training, access to a 900+ strong global community, regional hubs, and the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. Supports projects on climate transitions, democracy, emerging technologies, health and other systemic challenges.
The EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee supports individuals and organisations developing projects between Japan and European Capitals of Culture (past, present or future) as well as other Culture Next member cities. PURPOSE: support travel for research, project planning, and collaboration, building creative networks aimed at realising Japan-Europe arts and culture projects. THEMES (for Japan-Europe collaborative projects): Youth Empowerment; Nature & Green; Diversity (DEI); Social Regeneration. Projects may include participants from other regions (e.g. Asia) joining a Japan-Europe project. TARGET APPLICANTS: members of European Capital of Culture teams; artists and project organisers (including curators, designers, etc.); researchers in culture/arts; social entrepreneurs. TIMING: applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the travel date; this cut-off covers travel in April 2026 - September 2026. DEADLINE: this card is for the 15 August 2026 cut-off (other cut-offs each have their own card). APPLY via the Culture Next collaboration page.
Social Shifters, a Scottish-registered charity backed by corporate partners, runs its Global Innovation Challenge as a funnel into a longer founder-development pipeline rather than a one-off prize. ELIGIBILITY: founders aged 18 to 30 at submission, leading a fully youth-led venture that is already live and producing measurable social or environmental impact, aligned to at least one Sustainable Development Goal; concept-stage ideas and student projects do not qualify. Multiple winners receive up to USD 15,000 each, plus pitch coaching, a finalist showcase, and ongoing access to fellowships and paid work through the Shifters 100 alumni network. Free coaching is available from the moment you register, so the payoff to registering early is high. Submissions close 31 August 2026 (5pm UTC), with finalists announced in October and winners in December 2026. Apply at https://www.socialshifters.co/global-innovation-challenge/.
The Ernest Solvay Fund provides financial support for local-impact initiatives in three areas: scientific education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), planet progress (environmental initiatives) and better life (community well-being). ELIGIBILITY: organisations submitting a project must implement it within a 100 km radius of a Solvay industrial, R&I or administrative site. FUNDING: up to EUR 10,000 per initiative; the Fund covers expenses incurred only after the results are announced (mid-December 2026) and will not reimburse expenses incurred beforehand. APPLY: create or log in to an account at https://candidate.kbs-frb.be and complete the online application form (it can be saved and completed in several stages). Applications are open 15 April 2026 to 30 September 2026; results announced mid-December 2026.
The EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee supports individuals and organisations developing projects between Japan and European Capitals of Culture (past, present or future) as well as other Culture Next member cities. PURPOSE: support travel for research, project planning, and collaboration, building creative networks aimed at realising Japan-Europe arts and culture projects. THEMES (for Japan-Europe collaborative projects): Youth Empowerment; Nature & Green; Diversity (DEI); Social Regeneration. Projects may include participants from other regions (e.g. Asia) joining a Japan-Europe project. TARGET APPLICANTS: members of European Capital of Culture teams; artists and project organisers (including curators, designers, etc.); researchers in culture/arts; social entrepreneurs. TIMING: applications must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the travel date; this cut-off covers travel in October 2026 - March 2027. DEADLINE: this card is for the 14 February 2027 cut-off (other cut-offs each have their own card). APPLY via the Culture Next collaboration page.
Emergent Ventures funds entrepreneurs and thinkers worldwide with highly scalable, zero-to-one ideas for meaningfully improving society. It is aimed at individuals (applicants must be 13 or older) rather than institutions, and international and non-US applicants are eligible; grants are awarded to people around the world. Dedicated support is available for projects focused on India, Africa, the Caribbean or Ukraine. Grant amounts are not disclosed and are set per project. Applications are accepted on a rolling, continuous basis through an online form. The programme launched in 2018 and is administered by Tyler Cowen at the Mercatus Center.
Daily seed grants for early-stage volunteer-driven projects with social and environmental impact. Open to grassroots changemakers worldwide: individuals, informal groups and small nonprofits. Project budget under $10,000 and organisational budget under $50,000; no paid staff. Applications reviewed monthly; submit before month-end for that month's review.
Monthly $1,000 micro-grants for awesome ideas. Decentralised network of local chapters around the world; each chapter awards one grant per month. Apply via your nearest chapter on the site. Your idea stays yours, no equity taken.