20 Grants, Scholarships & Global Opportunities Open in March 2026

Are you searching for grants, scholarships, or global opportunities to advance your career, studies, or projects? The 20 Grants, Scholarships and Global Opportunities Currently Open list highlights key chances available as of March 2026. This article details each one with descriptions, deadlines, and application info. Students, professionals, and activists worldwide can use these to gain funding, skills, or networks. They offer real support for growth in writing, health, media, and more.

1. Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026

The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools. The Royal Commonwealth Society has run it since 1883. It welcomes young writers from around the world. Click here to apply | Deadline: April 30, 2026

Purpose: Encourages creative writing on Commonwealth themes.
Who can apply: School-aged young writers globally.
Prizes: Not specified, but winners get recognition and publication.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | April 30, 2026

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

This program funds small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries. It matches Global Affairs Canada’s priorities and relies on local partners. It also builds ties between Canada and recipient nations. Up to $50,000 CAD available. Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 13

Funding amount: Up to $50,000 CAD.
Focus areas: Development priorities like governance and rights.
Eligibility: Local partners in Dominican Republic.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Apr. 13

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

Human Rights Defending organizations in Africa can use AI to boost their work. The Digitalise Youth consortium through Code for Africa offers five seed grants. Targets Sahel, West, and East Africa. Up to $3,000 each. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 30

Who qualifies: HRD CSOs in specified African regions.
Grant amount: Up to $3,000.
Purpose: Super-power work with AI tools.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 30

4. SOAS Teaching Scholarships 2026/2027

These full-time MPhil/PhD scholarships help eligible students pursue advanced studies. Open to Black British students and those based in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 21

Scholarship type: Full-time MPhil/PhD.
Eligibility: Black British or from Africa, Asia, Middle East.
Benefits: Full funding for studies.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 21

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

This award honors leadership, innovation, and real impact that helps women and girls. It spotlights those who drive change. $100,000 prize. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 20

Award focus: Women’s empowerment through leadership.
Prize: $100,000.
Who it’s for: Leaders improving lives of women/girls.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 20

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

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network offers grants to media groups in low- and middle-income countries. Supports projects on biodiversity reporting. 3-4 grants of 10,000-12,000 EUR each, plus mentors. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 28

Grant size: 10,000-12,000 EUR.
Purpose: Boost biodiversity news coverage.
Support: Mentoring included.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 28

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

This funded workshop focuses on “Translating Peace into Action: Leveraging Media and the Arts for Youth Advocacy.” Partners include APCEIU, UNESCO MGIEP, and GCED Youth Network. Click here to apply | Deadline: March 26

Theme: Peace action via media and arts.
Funders: APCEIU, UNESCO MGIEP, GCED Network.
Fully funded: Covers participation costs.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | March 26

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

Roche offers fully-funded spots at the One Young World Summit in Cape Town. It links climate change to health, with goals like Net Zero by 2045. Click here to apply | Deadline: May 6

Location: Cape Town.
Funding: Fully funded.
Theme: Climate, planetary, and human health.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | May 6

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

This fully-funded scholarship takes winners to the One Young World Summit in Cape Town. Focuses on climate adaptation, mental well-being, social equity, and crises. Click here to apply | Deadline: May 6

Pillars: Climate, mental health, equity, crises.
Funding: Fully funded.
Location: Cape Town summit.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | May 6

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

The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest, “Your Story, Our Ocean,” invites stories on personal ocean ties. Open to coastal or landlocked people. $1,000 prize. Click here to apply | Deadline: June 8

Theme: Personal ocean connections.
Prize: $1,000.
Open to: All with ocean stories.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | June 8

11. Cornell Public Health Fellowships 2026

These fellowships train the next generation of public health leaders. They tackle big problems and rebuild systems. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 23

Purpose: Prepare leaders for public health challenges.
Focus: Rebuild systems and capacity.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 23

12. IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship 2026 (Funded)

This six-month funded fellowship aids women and nonbinary journalists. Covers human rights and social justice. Honors Elizabeth Neuffer. Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 19

Duration: Six months.
Focus: Human rights, social justice.
Eligibility: Women/nonbinary journalists worldwide.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Apr. 19

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

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network offers grants to media groups in low- and middle-income countries. Supports biodiversity reporting projects. 10,000-12,000 EUR each, with mentoring. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 28

Grant size: 10,000-12,000 EUR.
Purpose: Improve biodiversity coverage.
Support: Mentors provided.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 28

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

FAST helps young entrepreneurs with training, networks, and support. Partners include Mastercard Foundation, CCHub, and others. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 20

Support offered: Business training, mentors, networks.
Partners: Mastercard Foundation, CCHub, etc.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 20

15. John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellowship 2026

This one-year postdoctoral fellowship, renewable, offers a salary like AIP’s. Named for astronomy advocate John Bahcall. Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 15

Duration: One year, renewable.
Salary: Matches AIP Congressional level.
Honor: For John N. Bahcall.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Apr. 15

16. INMA Africa Elevate Scholarship 2026

This scholarship builds news media careers with journalism and business skills. Helps connect passion to impact. Click here to apply | Deadline: Apr. 17

Focus: Journalism plus business acumen.
Benefits: Training for media careers.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Apr. 17

17. UNU-IIGH Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme 2026

PhD candidates gain from UN global health policy work. Offered by UNU-IIGH. Click here to apply | Deadline: Unspecified

Purpose: Engage in UN health policy.
Level: PhD candidates.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Unspecified

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

The “Your Story, Our Ocean” contest shares how oceans sustain and inspire. Open regardless of location. $1,000 prize. Click here to apply | Deadline: Jun. 8

Theme: Ocean’s value in your life.
Prize: $1,000.
Open to: Coastal or landlocked.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Jun. 8

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

Entrepreneurs in off-grid solar submit plans for West, Sahel, Central Africa. Aims to speed clean energy access. $10,000 prize. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 21

Region: West, Sahel, Central Africa.
Prize: $10,000.
Focus: Standalone solar businesses.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 21

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

In its second year, this empowers young leaders on women and girls’ issues. Fully funded to Cape Town summit. Click here to apply | Deadline: Mar. 27

Focus: Challenges for women/girls.
Funding: Fully funded.
Location: Cape Town, SA.
Link/Deadline: Click here to apply | Mar. 27

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition for?

It encourages school-aged young writers worldwide to submit creative pieces on Commonwealth themes, with winners gaining recognition and publication.

Who can apply for the SOAS Teaching Scholarships?

Black British students or those based in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East can apply for full funding to pursue full-time MPhil/PhD studies.

What does the Roche Scholarship to One Young World Summit cover?

It fully funds attendance at the Cape Town summit, focusing on links between climate change, planetary health, and human health.

Are there opportunities for journalists in this list?

Yes, options like the EJN Biodiversity Media Grants and IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship provide funding and training for biodiversity reporting and human rights coverage.