The IKI Medium Grants 2026 call offers €300,000–€800,000 for climate action and biodiversity projects in developing and emerging economies. Germany-based organisations can apply by 12 January 2027.
Background & Grant Description
The International Climate Initiative (IKI), supported by the German Federal Government, has opened its 2026 Medium Grants funding call to support innovative climate protection and biodiversity conservation projects in developing and emerging economies.
The programme encourages civil society organisations, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations based in Germany to collaborate with local partner organisations in the Global South.
Successful projects will receive funding of between €300,000 and €800,000 for activities lasting two to three years. Projects must be implemented in collaboration with partner organisations in one or two implementing countries.
The call opened on 13 October 2026, with applications closing on 12 January 2027 at 11:59 a.m. Central European Time (CET). The German Government has allocated a total budget of up to €8 million for this funding round.
Grant Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | IKI Medium Grants 2026 |
| Funding organisation | International Climate Initiative (IKI) |
| German government ministry | Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) |
| Total funding budget | Up to €8 million |
| Grant amount | €300,000–€800,000 per project |
| Project duration | 2–3 years |
| Eligible applicants | Civil society organisations, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations based in Germany |
| Implementation | One or two countries in the Global South |
| Application opening date | 13 October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 12 January 2027, 11:59 a.m. CET |
| Official application information | IKI Medium Grants 2026 |
Funding Priorities
The IKI Medium Grants 2026 call focuses on two thematic priorities.
1. Green Skills for Local Climate Action
This funding priority supports projects that connect local climate action with economic development and social inclusion.
Eligible project concepts may focus on community-based renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and low-emission construction methods. Projects should also strengthen green skills, create income-generating opportunities and empower women, young people and marginalised groups.
Organisations developing practical approaches that combine climate protection with community development may find this priority relevant.
2. Future-Proof Coasts: Digital and Practical Solutions for Marine Ecosystems
The second priority focuses on protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems through locally driven conservation and accessible digital solutions.
Projects may include biodiversity monitoring, community participation in ecosystem management and evidence-based approaches to conservation. The objective is to strengthen the long-term resilience of coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
Organisations working in marine conservation, coastal resilience and biodiversity management may consider developing project proposals under this priority.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The programme is intended for organisations rather than individual applicants.
According to the published call, the principal applicant organisations should be based in Germany and fall within the following categories:
- Civil society organisations.
- Academic institutions.
- Not-for-profit organisations.
Projects must be developed in collaboration with local partner organisations in the Global South and implemented in one or two countries.
Applicants should review the official funding announcement and selection criteria to confirm the detailed eligibility conditions, partnership requirements and assessment standards before preparing a proposal.
Important: The published information identifies Germany-based organisations as the intended applicants. Organisations based elsewhere should not assume they can apply directly as lead applicants; they should review the rules and consider whether collaboration with an eligible German-based organisation is appropriate.
Additional Information
The ideas competition opened on 13 October 2026 and closes on 12 January 2027 at 11:59 a.m. CET.
The IKI has published supporting application documents, including the funding announcement, selection criteria, concept note template and sample outline form. Applicants should use the official documents when preparing their project proposals.
An online seminar in English is also listed for 19 November 2026 to provide information about the current call.
How to Apply
Visit the official IKI Medium Grants 2026 page to access the application information and download the relevant documents.
Review the following resources before submitting a proposal:
- Funding Announcement – IKI Medium Grants 2026
- Selection Criteria – IKI Medium Grants 2026
- Concept Note Template
- Sample Outline Form
- Frequently Asked Questions
For written enquiries, applicants can use the IKI contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the IKI Medium Grants 2026?
The IKI Medium Grants are a funding programme supporting projects that contribute to international climate action and biodiversity conservation in developing and emerging economies.
2. How much funding is available?
Individual projects can request between €300,000 and €800,000, while the total budget for this funding round is up to €8 million.
3. Who can apply for the IKI Medium Grants?
The call targets civil society organisations, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations based in Germany that collaborate with local partners in the Global South.
4. Can individuals apply for the grants?
The published call is designed for organisations, not individual applicants. Interested researchers or professionals would need to explore participation through an eligible organisation or project partnership.
5. Which countries can benefit from the projects?
Projects are intended for implementation in developing and emerging economies in the Global South. Each project must involve one or two implementing countries and local partner organisations.
6. What are the main funding priorities?
The two priorities are Green Skills for Local Climate Action and Future-Proof Coasts: Digital and Practical Solutions for Marine Ecosystems.
7. How long can funded projects run?
Projects are expected to last between two and three years.
8. When is the application deadline?
Applications close on 12 January 2027 at 11:59 a.m. CET.
9. Where can applicants find the application documents?
The funding announcement, selection criteria, concept note template, sample outline form and FAQs are available through the official IKI Medium Grants 2026 page.
10. Is there an information webinar?
Yes. The published call lists an online seminar in English for 19 November 2026.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The IKI Medium Grants 2026 offer substantial funding for organisations developing practical solutions to climate change and biodiversity challenges. The programme may be particularly relevant to German-based non-profits, academic institutions and civil society organisations seeking to work with local partners on green skills, sustainable livelihoods, marine conservation or coastal ecosystem resilience.
The main consideration is the applicant eligibility requirement: the call specifically identifies organisations based in Germany as applicants. Interested organisations should review the official selection criteria carefully before investing time in a proposal.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares grant and funding opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the International Climate Initiative or the German Federal Government and does not administer the funding. Applicants should confirm eligibility, funding conditions and submission requirements through the official programme documents.
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