The Global EbA Fund is accepting proposals for medium-size grants of up to US$500,000 for ecosystem-based adaptation projects. Eligible organisations can apply for funding for projects lasting up to 24 months. The application window closes November 16, 2026.
Background & Grant Description
The Global EbA Fund Medium-Size Grants Call for Proposals 2026 is inviting eligible organisations to submit innovative projects that advance ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and strengthen resilience to climate change.
The fund supports initiatives that use biodiversity and ecosystem services to help communities adapt to climate impacts. The current call prioritises projects that address systemic barriers to scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation, strengthen enabling environments and contribute to global learning and policy dialogue.
Eligible organisations can request up to US$500,000 per grant for projects lasting up to 24 months.
The application window opened on October 12, 2026, and closes on November 16, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the fund’s online application platform.
The Global EbA Fund is supported through an international initiative involving the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
Grant Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding programme | Global EbA Fund Medium-Size Grants |
| Funding focus | Ecosystem-based adaptation and climate resilience |
| Maximum grant | US$500,000 |
| Project duration | Up to 24 months |
| Application window | October 12 – November 16, 2026 |
| Eligible applicants | Organisations and eligible consortia |
| Geographic scope | Global, thematic or projects targeting ODA-eligible countries |
| Funding type | Project grants |
| Application fee | No application fee stated in the supplied call information |
| Submission method | Online application platform |
| Official website | Global EbA Fund |
Funding Priorities
The current call focuses on strategic scaling and global influence, encouraging collaborative and innovative approaches that address the challenges preventing ecosystem-based adaptation from expanding.
Applicants are encouraged to develop projects aligned with one of the following priority themes.
1. Innovative Finance Solutions for Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
This priority supports innovative partnerships with private-sector actors, financiers, innovators and local champions to mobilise private capital and blended finance for ecosystem-based adaptation.
Projects should explore how adaptation initiatives can move beyond subsistence approaches towards commercially viable, scalable models that encourage conservation while addressing climate risks.
2. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Human Development and Security
This theme addresses the relationship between climate resilience, security and sustainable development, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Projects should identify barriers that prevent investment in adaptation in high-risk areas. These may include policy, regulatory, financial or awareness-related challenges.
Proposals should demonstrate how ecosystem-based adaptation can help protect vulnerable communities, reduce pressure on shared natural resources and contribute to social cohesion.
3. Interlinkages for People, Nature, Climate and Land
This priority supports organisations working with national governments to connect climate, biodiversity, sustainable land management and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
Projects should demonstrate practical collaboration across international environmental agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The aim is to improve coordination, reduce duplication and help countries and communities achieve multiple environmental and development benefits through integrated interventions.
What the Grant Can Support
The call seeks projects that demonstrate how ecosystem-based adaptation can reduce communities’ vulnerability to climate change while addressing institutional and systemic barriers.
Proposals should show how their interventions can deliver measurable results and create benefits beyond the immediate project period.
Relevant activities may include strengthening policies and institutions for ecosystem-based adaptation, improving financing mechanisms, building partnerships, addressing capacity gaps and integrating adaptation measures into national or local frameworks.
However, funding is not intended for every environmental or climate-related project. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposal qualifies as ecosystem-based adaptation and meets the fund’s criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Organisations
The Global EbA Fund identifies the following types of organisations as eligible for review:
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
- International non-governmental organisations (INGOs).
- Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs).
- Community-based organisations (CBOs).
- Indigenous Peoples’ organisations.
- Universities and other academic institutions.
- Research institutes and think tanks.
- Private-sector companies, subject to the fund’s conditions.
- Consortia of organisations working collaboratively on ecosystem-based adaptation.
Eligible applicants must be legally recognised entities and satisfy the fund’s due diligence requirements.
Can Government Institutions Apply?
The fund does not provide grants directly to government partners, and sub-granting to governments at any level is not permitted.
However, government entities may participate in eligible consortia as long as they do not receive funding from the Global EbA Fund. Collaboration with national, subnational and local authorities is encouraged to help establish supportive policy environments and strategic partnerships.
Private-sector applicants are also subject to specific restrictions. The fund does not provide funding for sector-specific obligations, compensatory or replacement measures, or for-profit activities of the prohibited kinds described in the call. Public interest remains a priority.
Eligible Project Requirements
To qualify for review, a proposal must meet the fund’s requirements, including:
- Clearly qualify as ecosystem-based adaptation and align with the fund’s EbA qualification criteria and quality standards.
- Demonstrate catalytic and innovative potential to address barriers to scaling up adaptation.
- Identify the climate impacts being addressed and explain how the project will reduce them.
- Fit within a maximum of one Global EbA Fund Strategic Objective and two Action Pillars.
- Have a global or thematic scope, or target only countries eligible for official development assistance (ODA).
- Request no more than US$500,000.
- Last no longer than 24 months.
- Build on existing work rather than being an entirely standalone initiative without an existing foundation.
- Demonstrate how results will be maintained or developed after funding ends.
- Work with local institutions and organisations.
- Incorporate local communities, Indigenous Knowledge and gender perspectives.
- Meet the required legal recognition and due diligence standards.
Applicants should consult the official Grants Procedures Manual before developing their proposal.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
The fund assesses proposals against its published evaluation framework. Important considerations include:
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and Project Approach: The proposal must demonstrate how its activities will reduce community vulnerability or improve resilience to identified climate impacts. The approach should have a clear, logical results chain and measurable outcomes.
Design and Methodology: The theory of change, activities, timeline, logical framework and indicators should be coherent and achievable. Budgets must align with planned activities and results.
Gender and Social Inclusion: Proposals should involve diverse stakeholders, including women, young people, Indigenous Peoples and other marginalised groups where relevant. Participatory methods and appropriate use of local knowledge are encouraged.
Innovation and Catalytic Contribution: Projects should have potential to create broader systemic change, such as influencing policy, improving institutional capacity or developing new financing mechanisms.
Sustainability: Applicants must show how results will continue beyond the funding period and how activities connect with relevant national and global policies.
Institutional Arrangements and Budget: The lead organisation must demonstrate adequate technical capacity, financial management systems, staffing and experience to implement the proposed project.
The supplied call information assigns 40% to the project approach/EbA criterion, 20% to innovative and catalytic contribution, 20% to sustainability, and 20% to institutional arrangements and budget. Applicants should consult the complete evaluation framework for the detailed assessment of design, methodology and social inclusion.
Proposals must also incorporate at least three relevant indicators from the Global EbA Fund Core Indicator Framework into the project’s logical framework.
Additional Information
Application Deadline
The submission window runs from October 12 to November 16, 2026.
Applications must be submitted through the online platform. The fund recommends working on the application form offline before transferring and submitting the completed materials online.
Required Application Documents
The call package identifies the following documents for medium-size grant applications:
- Applicant Declaration.
- Co-applicant Mandate.
- Medium-Size Grants Application Form.
- Theory of Change, Logframe and Project Activities Form.
- Project Proposal Budget Template.
- Due Diligence and Financial Capacity Questionnaire.
The Theory of Change, Logframe and Project Activities Form must be uploaded directly to the application portal.
Applicants should download the official templates and confirm the latest submission instructions before preparing their documents.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the call for proposals.
Visit the Global EbA Fund website and locate the Medium-Size Grants Call for Proposals.
Step 2: Read the Grants Procedures Manual.
Study the eligibility requirements, EbA qualification criteria, quality standards and due diligence rules.
Step 3: Confirm organisational eligibility.
Make sure your organisation is legally recognised, has relevant implementation experience and can satisfy the fund’s financial and institutional requirements.
Step 4: Develop a qualifying project proposal.
Identify the climate risks your project will address, explain the proposed ecosystem-based adaptation interventions and describe measurable results. Demonstrate local partnerships, gender and social inclusion, innovation and sustainability.
Step 5: Prepare all required documents.
Complete the application form, theory of change, logical framework, project activities, budget and due diligence documents. Include at least three applicable core indicators.
Step 6: Submit the application online.
Follow the official submission instructions and ensure the complete application is submitted by November 16, 2026.
Visit the Global EbA Fund Website
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much funding can organisations receive?
Eligible projects can request grants of up to US$500,000 under the medium-size grants call.
2. What is the application deadline?
The application window closes on November 16, 2026. Submissions opened on October 12, 2026.
3. How long can funded projects last?
Projects can run for a maximum of 24 months.
4. Can individuals apply for funding?
No. The eligibility criteria identify organisations and eligible consortia as applicants. The call is not an individual scholarship or personal research grant programme.
5. Which organisations are eligible?
Eligible categories include NGOs, INGOs, IGOs, community-based organisations, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, universities, research institutes, think tanks and qualifying private-sector companies.
6. Can government institutions receive funding?
The fund does not award grants directly to government partners and does not permit sub-granting to governments. Government entities can participate in eligible consortia but cannot receive funding from the fund.
7. What types of projects are prioritised?
The call prioritises innovative ecosystem-based adaptation approaches addressing financing challenges, human development and security, and connections between climate, biodiversity, land management and disaster risk reduction.
8. Can a new project be submitted?
The criteria state that projects must build on existing work. A proposal should therefore demonstrate a foundation of previous work rather than present a wholly standalone initiative without an existing basis.
9. What documents are required?
Applicants must submit the relevant declaration, co-applicant mandate, application form, theory of change and logical framework, project activities, budget template and due diligence questionnaire.
10. Where can organisations apply?
Applications must be submitted through the online application platform linked from the official Global EbA Fund website.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Global EbA Fund Medium-Size Grants call may be relevant to established organisations working on climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, sustainable land management and community resilience.
With grants of up to US$500,000, the programme offers substantial potential support for eligible projects that can demonstrate measurable climate-resilience benefits, strong local partnerships and a sustainable impact beyond the funding period.
The key consideration is that this is organisational project funding, not an individual scholarship or personal grant. Applicants must satisfy the fund’s detailed ecosystem-based adaptation, legal, financial and institutional requirements.
Eligible organisations should review the official application package immediately and work towards the November 16, 2026 deadline.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares external funding opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the Global EbA Fund, IUCN, UNEP or IKI and does not participate in funding decisions. Applicants should verify the latest call documents, eligibility conditions, templates and submission instructions through the official fund website.
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