• ImpactShip
  • Posts
  • September’s Opportunities Map Just Dropped

September’s Opportunities Map Just Dropped

Grants, fellowships, and jobs you’ll want on your radar this month.

September 02, 2025

👥 Get on the Radar – Join the ImpactShip Directory

Want to get matched with funding, spotlighted for speaking gigs, or looped into mission-aligned job ops? The ImpactShip Directory is where it happens.

We're launching it very soon and it’s how we’ll start pairing you directly with relevant opportunities, collaborators, and decision-makers.
Think of it as your all-access pass to the climate impact scene. But here’s the thing, to be in the loop, you’ve gotta be on the list.
Sign up now, and lock in your spot before the board goes live.

Would you like to Nominate anyone (or yourself!) to feature on this platform and get visibility in front of thousands of Social Impact Professionals? Email us at [email protected]

This is just the start. We send updates every week with fresh fundings and can’t-miss opportunities. Subscribe now and make sure you never miss out.

IMPACTSHIP: Grants. Fellowships. Climate Events. Funding.
All in One Place.

We’ve packed this issue with funding, fellowships, accelerator programs, and major climate events happening in 2025.

🔍 Stop searching- we’ve already done the work for you.
💰 Apply smarter- funding deadlines are closing fast.
📅 Get in the right rooms - climate events where decisions (and deals) happen.

This is just the start. We send updates twice a week with fresh fundings and can’t-miss opportunities. Subscribe now and make sure you never miss out.

THE OPPORTUNITIES DOCK
Your go-to for grants, funding, and investment opportunities- so you don’t waste time searching.

BRIDGE Women Gender Mainstreaming Grants 2025
Funding: Up to CHF 15,000 | Eligibility: Registered, non-profit River Basin Organizations (RBOs) or transboundary water institutions in eligible basins (Africa, Asia, South America) with statutory capacity to manage grants | Description: Supports 6–9 month projects that strengthen women’s leadership and participation in freshwater governance, including gender assessments, strategies, action plans, and capacity building | Deadline: 7 September 2025 (23:59 CEST) | Link:https://iucn.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/guidelines-for-applications_bridge-women_grant1_gender-mainstreaming.pdf

Catapult Development Grant 2025
Funding: Up to USD 25,000 (≈15 grants) | Eligibility: Independent documentary filmmakers (feature or short) in development; 18+; not enrolled; no docuseries | Description: Early-stage support to create a fundraising piece; two-step application process | Deadline: 8 September 2025 (5:00 PM PT) | Link: https://catapultfilmfund.org/how-to-apply/development/

Skills in Action Photo Competition 2025 – UNESCO-UNEVOC
Funding: USD 750 (1st), 500 (2nd), 350 (3rd) + certificates & global visibility | Eligibility: Photographers 18+ who own copyright of their entries | Description: Submit high-res photos showcasing how TVET equips youth with AI, digital, green, or peacebuilding skills; winning entries featured globally | Deadline: 15 September 2025 | Link

IMG Leave Your Mark Grant 2025 | Funding: $3,500 (2 orgs) + $1,000 (3 individuals) | Eligibility: Mission/social good organizations and individuals participating in mission, volunteer, or service trips | Description: IMG will award 5 grants to support global outreach efforts, empowering organizations and individuals to expand their impact | Deadline: 12 September 2025 | Link:https://www.imglobal.com/leave-your-mark#

National Geographic Extreme Weather Grants 2025
Funding: Up to USD 50,000 (2 years) | Eligibility: Applicants 18+ worldwide with expertise in science-based solutions to extreme weather; individuals only (not staff of NatGeo) | Description: Supports innovative projects on resilience, adaptation, and response to hazards like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and heatwaves, with winners joining the NatGeo Explorer Community | Deadline: 19 September 2025| Link: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/grants-and-investments/rfp-extreme-weather-and-natural-hazards-solutions/

DevelopSpace Grants 2025 (Mars Exploration Focus)
Funding: USD 500–2,500 + possible in-kind support | Eligibility: Open globally to students, volunteers, researchers, and organizations (some limits for non-US entities) | Description: Supports open science/engineering projects on Mars surface resources, mission concepts, power, mobility, and related tools; priority on work with ongoing value for human exploration | Deadline: 20 September 2025 (8 PM US CDT) | Link: https://developspace.org/grants/

Giga Accelerator 2025
Funding: USD 50,000 non-dilutive grant | Eligibility: Legally registered entities in ITU Member States with TRL 4+ open-source products (or commitment), financial solvency, and no major litigation | Description: Virtual program by the Giga Technology Centre (Barcelona) supporting school connectivity solutions with funding, mentorship, interoperability support, and telecom sector partnerships | Deadline: 21 September 2025 | Link: https://giga.global/accelerator-programme/

Bob and Diane Fund Grant 2025
Funding: USD 5,000 | Eligibility: Photographers worldwide (still photography only); past participants may reapply | Description: Supports projects on Alzheimer’s or dementia that need completion, publishing, or exhibition, aiming to raise awareness and inspire action | Deadline: 21 September 2025 | Link: https://www.bobanddianefund.org/bob-and-diane-fund-grant

develoPPP Classic Ideas Competition 2025
Funding: €100,000–€2 million (up to 50% of project costs) | Eligibility: Established companies (≥8 employees, €800k+ turnover, 2+ audited financial statements) from EU, EFTA, or OECD-DAC countries | Description: BMZ program funding sustainable business projects in 60+ developing/emerging countries that combine long-term business goals with development benefits (e.g., training, supply chains, sustainability standards) | Deadline: 30 September 2025 | Link: https://www.developpp.de/en/funding-programme/companies

Freelance Writer – D-Prize Challenge Document (East Africa)
Funding: USD 1,000 (2-week contract) | Eligibility: Writers based in Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania with clear, engaging writing style; familiarity with social impact preferred | Description: Remote short-term project in August to draft a 1,000–1,500 word challenge document, making research-based content compelling and accessible for global applicants | Link: https://form.jotform.com/252035759967067 

5050 Program – Fifty Years VC 
Eligibility: AI researchers and founders building startups in AI safety and alignment | Description: A founder program (Sep–Dec 2025) by Fifty Years, A Free 13-week program supporting AI researchers to turn ideas into startups tackling global problems, with mentorship and investor access | Link:https://www.fiftyyears.com/5050/ai

Safe AI Fund (SAIF) – Early-Stage Venture Funding
Funding: $100,000 (SAFE with $10M cap) | Eligibility: Founders with deep expertise and scalable, monetizable ideas aligned with AI safety | Description: VC fund led by YC President emeritus Geoff Ralston, supporting startups in AI safety, security, and responsible deployment with funding, mentorship, and investor network access |Link: https://www.saif.vc/about

AAUW International Fellowships 2026
Funding: $20,000 (Master’s), $25,000 (Doctorate) | Eligibility: Women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents; must be admitted/enrolled in a U.S. master’s or doctoral program (or GWI members for study abroad); GPA ≥3.5; full-time study required | Description: Supports international women pursuing postgraduate studies or research in the U.S. (with up to 5 awards for GWI members in other countries). Fellows are expected to return home to apply their expertise, empowering women and girls in their communities | Deadline: 30 Sept 2025 | Link: https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/international-fellowships/

📩 Know an opportunity we should feature? Let us know by replying to this email.

🌍 Opportunities & Resources to Get Involved in Climate Action

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Decoding complex policy terms into plain English so you can focus on making an impact.

Clean Air Conference 2025 – Call for Youth Exhibitors
Eligibility: Youth-led projects/startups (majority under 35) focused on clean air, waste, health, or climate resilience | Description: Showcase innovations at the Clean Air Conference in Accra, connect with policymakers, investors, and stakeholders under the theme “Clean Air, Collective Action” | Deadline: 10 September 2025 (23:59 GMT) | Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMQ1fyG2luh6C7rhXYcbCAQFvmtCJQixRLy35MtmomndzMoQ/viewform

Intern – Resilient Rural Areas & ELD Secretariat (GIZ)
Funding: €2,205.04/month (gross) | Eligibility: Students or recent grads (≤6 months) available full-time in Bonn, 15 Sep 2025–14 Mar 2026; strong interest in rural development, land economics, climate/agroecology | Description: Support BMZ advisory work on land governance, sustainable land management, and the Economics of Land Degradation; contribute to research, analysis, and coordination | Deadline: 07 September 2025 | Link: https://jobs.giz.de/index.php?ac=jobad&id=76508 

FELLOWSHIPS & GRANTS FOR YOU !
Your go-to for grants, funding, and investment opportunities- so you don’t waste time searching.

Ocean Reporting Network Fellowships 2025–2026 – Pulitzer Center
Funding: Reporter’s salary (1 year) + expenses | Eligibility: Professional journalists worldwide with ocean/investigative reporting experience | Description: Year-long fellowship starting Jan 2026 to produce in-depth ocean stories with training, mentorship, and global collaboration | Deadline: 12 September 2025 | Link: https://pulitzercenter.org/grants-fellowships/opportunities-journalists/apply-join-ocean-reporting-network-orn

World Bank Treasury Summer Internship 2026
Funding: Paid ($21.80–26.20/hour, ~400 hours) | Eligibility: Rising seniors in a 4-year degree program with interest in finance, trading, or investment; global applicants (visa sponsored) | Description: A 10-week full-time internship (May 26–Aug 3, 2026) in Washington, DC with rotations across Treasury teams, mentorship, technical training, and a capstone project | Deadline: 12 October 2025 | Link: https://treasury.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/treasury/about/student-and-graduate-careers

Bush Fellowship 2026
Funding: Up to USD 150,000 (for 2 years) | Eligibility: Leaders from any sector (business, nonprofit, government) in the U.S. with a clear plan to grow their leadership capacity | Description: A self-designed leadership program supporting up to 30 Fellows annually with resources, time, and flexibility to advance bold leadership journeys | Deadline: 7 October 2025 | Link: https://www.bushfoundation.org/opportunities/bush-fellowship/

Post-graduate Study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST) Fellowship 2026 – UN/Japan/Kyutech
Funding: Full MEXT scholarship (≈144,000 JPY/month + tuition, travel, exam fees) | Eligibility: Nationals of developing or non-space-faring countries; up to 3 Master’s (2 yrs) and 3 Doctoral (3 yrs) candidates | Description: Earn a Master’s or PhD in space engineering at Kyutech with hands-on nano-satellite development and testing, supporting national space ecosystem building | Deadline: 30 November 2025| Link: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/access2space4all/PNST/PNST_Rounds.html

Youth-Led Green Business Accelerator 2025
Eligibility: Youth-led (founder/CEO under 35) legally registered businesses in developing countries; tracks: Land Restoration or Green & Circular Economy | Description: 10-week Bootcamp and Accelerator (with Fast-Track option for scale-ready firms) offering mentorship, visibility, and investor access; inclusive of women, LDCs, SIDS, and underrepresented founders | Deadline: 14 September 2025 | Link: https://social.yecommunity.com/topics/49027/page/apply-now

SurveyCTO Primary Data Collection Research Grant 2025
Eligibility: Terminal degree candidates (e.g., PhD) conducting rigorous research requiring high-quality primary data | Description: Supports emerging researchers with funding, tools, and visibility to advance impactful research projects | Deadline: 30 September 2025 | Link: https://www.surveycto.com/data-collection-research-grant/

John Z. Duling Grant Program 2025
Funding: Up to USD 15,000 (1–3 years) | Eligibility: Research proposals from academic/technical institutions on arboriculture; LOI required by Sept 15, 2025 | Description: Provides seed funding for innovative, early-stage research benefiting arborists; 2025 focus includes propagation, plant selection, new varieties, planting/establishment, and arboriculture theory/practice | Deadline: 1 October 2025 (LOI by 15 Sept) | Link: https://treefund.org/researchgrants/duling

Tree and Soil Research Fund Grant 2025
Funding: Up to USD 10,000 (1–3 years) | Eligibility: Research proposals from academic/technical institutions; LOI required by Sept 15, 2025 | Description: Supports research on urban tree and soil design, propagation, diversity, root/canopy improvement, planting/maintenance practices, and soil management; projects must benefit the landscape architecture community | Deadline: 1 October 2025| Link: https://treefund.org/tree-and-soil-research-fund-grant-program

Dermatology Research Grants 2025 (Round 3)
Eligibility: Open to researchers worldwide with projects on dermatology mechanisms, symptoms, clinical issues, or societal impacts | Description: Competitive grants supporting innovative dermatology research to improve understanding, treatment, and quality of life outcomes for people with skin diseases | Deadline: 11 September 2025 | Link: https://leo-foundation.org/en/grants-and-awards/research-grants/

Powering Healthcare (PHC) Innovation Fund – Round 2 (UNOPS/SEforALL) Funding: Not specified | Eligibility: Open to entities with innovative solutions for healthcare facility electrification in eligible countries (see full list) | Description: Call for Proposals to scale energy access for healthcare facilities through innovative approaches, supporting resilience, clean energy adoption, and improved health outcomes. Managed by SEforALL with UNOPS support under the Transforming Energy Access platform | Deadline: 8 September 2025 (17:00 GMT+2) | Link: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/273237

📩 Know an opportunity we should feature? Let us know by replying to this email.

THE JARGON DECODER
Decoding complex policy terms into plain English so you can focus on making an impact.

📌 Term: Greenwashing →

What it actually means:
When companies (or even governments) make themselves look sustainable without really changing much. Think: slapping “eco-friendly” on a product wrapped in plastic, or announcing “net zero by 2050” while still expanding oil projects.

Why it matters:
Greenwashing makes it harder for people, funders, and policymakers to know who’s genuinely driving change. It confuses the public, slows progress, and lets big polluters off the hook.

Quick tip:
If you’re reading about a new “green” initiative, ask:
Is there proof? (data, third-party audits)
Is it measurable today, not just by 2050?
Does it actually reduce harm-or just shift the blame?

📩 Need help navigating policy? Let us know what topics we should cover by replying to this email.

THE CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS
That’s (not) it for today! Here is how we can help -

🚢 Drop Your Anchor
Got a funding or job opportunity? Share it with the Impactship community so it reaches the right people by replying to this email. (or email us at -[email protected] )

👥 Join the Crew- ImpactShip Directory
Want to connect with peers, get speaking opportunities, or be referred for impact-driven roles? Add yourself to the ImpactShip Directory - we’re here to back you up.

Would you like to Nominate anyone (or yourself!) to feature on this platform and get visibility in front of thousands of Social Impact Professionals? Email us at [email protected]

Because creating impact is complicated. Reading about it shouldn’t be. (And if we can make you laugh along the way, even better.)

📩 Subscribe now and be part of this community.