Three international research grants for 2025 are now open:
1. Danforth Conservation Grants Program (Deadline: 1 Jan 2026)
2. Startup Innovation Challenge (Deadline: 4 Jan 2025)
3. Simons Foundation Targeted Grants in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (Deadline: An LOI can be submitted at any time.)
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1. Danforth Conservation Grants Program

The program prioritizes field studies, environmental education, and multidisciplinary approaches to protecting wildlife and habitats, while promoting ethical, community-focused conservation practices.

Funding Organization: The Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund (SDCBF)

Scope: Wildlife conservation

Eligibility:
• Applicants must be affiliated with an organization (e.g., NGO, university) capable of receiving funds. Funding is awarded to organizations, not individuals.
• There are no nationality restrictions for applicants.
• Applications must be developed and written by the applicant. Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to draft, edit, or otherwise produce content is strictly prohibited.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo does not need to be a collaborator for eligibility.
• Expenses for project activities completed prior to funding are not eligible.
• Projects involving highly invasive or terminal research, or those requiring the collection/vouchering of specimens, will not be considered.
• Partial project funding may be considered if:
o A specific component is independently supported and feasible, or
o Additional funding from other sources is secured or pending.
• Projects previously funded by SDCBF are eligible for a second year of support, provided:
o A new application is submitted according to guidelines, and
o A progress report from the first year is included.

Maximum Award: Up to $1,000.

Application Process: All application materials should be submitted electronically to SophieDanforth@rwpzoo.org by the deadline.

Application Deadline: 1 January 2026

Further information: https://www.rwpzoo.org/danforth-conservation-grants/
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2. Startup Innovation Challenge

Energie AG Oberösterreich, a provider of electricity, gas, heat, water as well as waste disposal and ICT services, seeks innovative startups with ideas and solutions to create a more sustainable habitat for future generations.

Funding Organization: Energie AG Oberösterreich

Scope: The 2026 Startup Innovation Challenge has three topics:
• Digital Customer Service World – Regional Presence with Avatars & AI
• Renewables SiteFinder – Boosting Wind and PV transition with AI Solutions
• AI Enabled Energy Audit and Consulting for SMEs – Optimizing Power Consumption for Energy Audits

Eligibility: Applications are open to startups and established companies from around the workd. Applicants should be well-established startups or companies with a track record of conducting business operations. Also, the startup or company should demonstrate the capacity to not only come up with innovative ideas but also to effectively execute and manage projects. This includes having the necessary resources, expertise, and infrastructure to successfully run the project proposed in the challenge.

Maximum Award: The winning startups of each challenge will receive up to €50,000 in funding to develop a Proof of Concept (PoC) or Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Successful solutions demonstrating strong alignment and impact may also lead to a long-term partnership with Energie AG Oberösterreich..

Application Process: All applications must be submitted online at https://www.startupchallenge-energieag.at

Application Deadline: 4 January 2026

Further information: https://www.startupchallenge-energieag.at
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3. Simons Foundation Targeted Grants in Mathematics and Physical Sciences

The Simons Foundation Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) program supports high-risk theoretical mathematics, physics and computer science projects of exceptional promise and scientific importance on a case-by-case basis.

Funding Organization: Simons Foundation

Scope: Mathematics, physical sciences, and computer science.

Eligibility: Applications are open to established U.S. and foreign public and private educational institutions and stand-alone research centers. PIs and co-Investigators must have a Ph.D. and a tenure-track or tenured position at said institutions or centers at the time of application. There are no citizenship or department requirements for PIs.

Maximum Award: The program provides funding for up to five years. The funding level and duration is flexible and should be appropriate based on the type of support requested in the proposal. There is no recommended or assumed funding level for this program.

Application Process: Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) via the Simons Award Manager (SAM), https://sam.simonsfoundation.org/. Approved LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal through SAM.

Application Deadline: An LOI can be submitted at any time.

Further Information: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/targeted-grants-in-mps/
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For more information, please contact
Ms. Panida Suwannatheerak and Ms. Mananchaya Pissaparn
Tel. 02 470 9654
Email: researchfollowup@kmutt.ac.th