Two international research grants for 2026 are now open:
1. Whitley Awards (Deadline: 30 Oct 2026)
2. SEARCA Seed Fund for Research and Training (Deadline: 31 Oct 2026)
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1. Whitley Awards
Whitley Awards fund grassroots conservation leaders in the Global South. The Awards are for dynamic, mid-career conservationists who are seeking to scale up proven work, that is embedded in the local community and would benefit from further funding, a profile boost and international support.
Funding Organization: Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN)
Scope: Nature conservation
Eligibility:
• Wildlife conservation projects based in countries that are not defined as a High Income Economy by the World Bank.
• Nationals of the country in which they are working.
• Projects that are based on scientific evidence and understanding – this can be in the leader, expertise on the team, or via partners/collaboration. Projects need to demonstrate evidence of success.
• Work involving (and benefitting) the local community and stakeholders is essential.
• Ecosystem / landscape level projects are preferred.
Awards: Winners receive £50,000 in project funding over one year to support their conservation efforts.
Application Process: The application must be submitted online via the Whitley Fund for Nature | Whitley Award portal https://wfn.eformsolutions.com/landing/sign-in
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
Further information: https://whitleyaward.org/apply-for-conservation-funding/apply-for-a-whitley-award/
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2. SEARCA Seed Fund for Research and Training
The Seed Fund for Research and Training (SFRT) provides start-up funds to Southeast Asian researchers and scientists whose work contribute to sustaining transformation of Southeast Asian agricultural systems through innovation.
Funding Organization: Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
Scope: Agricultural research and training contributing to any of the following outcomes:
• Increased farmers’ income
• Improved food security and nutrition
• Greater climate resilience of agricultural systems
• Empowered farmers, farmer groups, and agricultural stakeholders and their institutions
Eligibility:
All proponents must:
1. Be a Southeast Asian national with at least a four-year degree and limited research start-up funds
2. Submit a project proposal that
• Is an innovative concept accompanied by an appropriate plan for developing it into a potentially large-scale research/training program greatly relevant to the ARD needs of the region
• Can be completed in one year or less
• Shows a detailed plan for securing long-term funding
• Has high potential to attract significant follow-on support
• Specifies a strategy for disseminating results and policy recommendations to various stakeholders in appropriate modes
3. Submit the following as part of the project outputs:
• At least one policy brief (following the prescribed format)
• Final research report that can be published as a technical paper, as determined by the technical reviewer
• Presentation of research results in at least one scientific forum/conference, whenever possible
Awards: Up to USD 15,000
Application Process: The application must be submitted online via the SEARCA portal Grants Information System, https://grants.searcaapps.org.
Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
Further information: https://www.searca.org/sfrt
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For more information, please contact
Ms. Panida Suwannatheerak and Ms. Mananchaya Pissaparn
Tel. 0-2470-9654
Email: researchfollowup@kmutt.ac.th
