Looking to advance your career or gain international recognition? Check out these 23 global competitions and fellowships currently open to professionals from diverse sectors. Whether you’re in technology, arts, science, or social impact, these opportunities can help you showcase your skills, connect with peers worldwide, and unlock new possibilities. Don’t miss your chance, apply now!
1. International Computer Science Competition 2025.
The ICSC is a global educational program that empowers students to challenge their logical thinking, deepen their computer science knowledge, jumpstarting their journey into the world of technology.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 24
2. International Photography Contest “Educating the Eye” 2025.
Are you passionate about photography? Do you have a story to tell through your lens? Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, this is your moment to shine on the global stage! Apply for the International Photography Contest “Educating the Eye” 2025.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 22
3. Standard Chartered Bank Women in Tech Incubator – Ghana 2025.
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, in partnership with Village Capital is excited to announce the call for applications for the 5th Cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (FWIT) Incubator Program. A flagship initiative under Standard Chartered’s global Futuremakers program and implemented by the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, empowers women-led and women-owned businesses with the tools, training, and funding needed to leverage technology and build scalable, innovative businesses that address Ghana’s pressing economic and environmental challenges for sustainable growth and social impact.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 30
4. Startupbootcamp X Meta Llama Design Drive 2025.
This is a hands-on accelerator for startups in MENA to build and deploy Llama-powered Al agents that solve real-world problems in healthcare, education, tourism, public services, economic development, and more – with direct support from Meta.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 22
5. Call for Videos: PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival 2025
PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival 2025. PLURAL+ is a youth video festival that encourages and empowers global youth to explore the issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia and to share their creative vision with the world.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 15
6. United Nations FAO Global Agrilnno Challenge 2025.
Are you a bold youth innovator, a passionate agri-tech entrepreneur, or a startup with a vision to transform global food systems? Applications are open for the United Nations FAO Global Agrilnno Challenge 2025. The Global Agrilnno Challenge 2025 is your stage to shine, scale, and shape the future of sustainable agriculture!
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 7, 2025
7. Global Development Awards Competition 2025.
The Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) is GDN’s largest and longest-running programme that brings together a rich community of researchers and development practitioners. It is an award scheme that:
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 18
8. Taiwan OCA/GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge 2025.
The Youth Innovation Challenge invites applicants from 15 to 30 years of age to propose a solution to address marine issues, including conservation, biodiversity, and marine debris. Solutions can incorporate a variety of approaches but must include environmental education. Solutions must be innovative, feasible, and informed by research.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 30
9. Colorado Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF) 2025/2026.
The Colorado Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF) is a nonpartisan program that places scientists, social scientists, engineers, and technical experts in support of the Colorado State Legislature for one- to two-year appointments to ensure the state’s competitiveness in science and technology.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 31
10. Google for Startups Al First 2025 for MENA and Turkey.
Google for Startups Accelerator: Al First is a ten-week equity-free accelerator program for Seed to Series A startups based in MENA and Turkey. The Accelerator aims to connect the best of Google’s resources to empower startups to scale their Al-driven tech business.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 16
11. New Commons Challenge 2025.
The New Commons Challenge is an initiative led by Microsoft and the Open Data Policy Lab, in partnership with DirectRelief, the Harvard Institutional Data Initiative, and UNESCO (international observer).
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 2
12. One Young World Break the Hate Challenge 2025.
This is your moment. If you’re done playing nice with hate, if you want to call it out, tear it down and refuse to shut up…they have a challenge for you.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 16
13. Good Soil Forum Seed Capital Pitch Competition 2025.
This is your chance to showcase your business, gain national exposure, and compete live for transformative funding in front of investors and a national audience.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 23
14. Democracy Firewall Hackathon 2025
Ready to rethink the future of democracy? Join the Democracy Firewall Hackathon 2025 and turn bold ideas into powerful solutions against disinformation. Apply to join them in Strasbourg and win €3,000 and help shape Europe’s response to disinformation!
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 28
15. AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship 2025.
The AWARD Climate Action (ACA) Fellowship seeks to achieve a twin goal of increasing the number of African women leading climate change action and catalyze production of climate solutions that work for women smallholders.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 30
16. Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2026.
The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) brings together bold and principled leaders who are committed to facing critical challenges and interested in exploring lessons learned during the administrations of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. They are looking for people who have the desire and capacity to build upon their strengths to improve people’s lives.
Click here to apply | Deadline: July 20
17. Forrest Research Foundation Fellowships 2026.
Forrest postdoctoral fellows are more than just intellectually brilliant. They are adventurous, curious, open to ideas from anywhere. They embrace unusual approaches to problem-solving and take risks that others may not. They enjoy breaking with convention – the path less travelled is appealing because new frontiers offer new opportunities for discovery. They are intellectually generous and take time to understand and challenge ideas, collaborating to improve outcomes for the community and the world.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 30
18. S+T+ARTS Afropean Intelligence Residencies Program 2025.
S+T+ARTS Afropean Intelligence (#AI) opens a call for artists to support 10 artistic residencies in Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gallery of Code will be hosting three residencies this year under the STARTS initiative, with support from the European Commission and their consortium partners.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 27
19. IOM Youth Capacity Enhancement Programme on Climate Mobility 2025-2026
Are you a youth-led organisation driving solutions to address the intersection of human
mobility, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and environmental sustainability? Do you want to strengthen your knowledge on the nexus, expand your impact to implement or scale up your Climate Mobility solutions? The International Organization for Migration (10M) invites you to apply for the Youth Capacity Enhancement Programme on Climate Mobility 2025-2026: Accelerating Youth-Led Action in Addressing Climate Mobility in Africa.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 15
20. EY SDG Accelerator for Women Entrepreneurs 2025.
Women entrepreneurs remain underrepresented in the Al and tech sectors and face significant barriers to accessing the financing they need to scale their businesses. Despite these challenges, they are driving some of the most impactful innovations for social and environmental change.
Click here to apply | Deadline: June 15
21. Constellations Fellowship Summer 2025.
They are fostering the next generation of climate leaders by connecting students and recent graduates to professional opportunities within their global network of climate organizations. Fellows gain real-life, hands-on professional development and career-building skills. The Constellations Fellowships are virtual, part-time positions that will run 12-14 weeks, starting on Monday, June 9,2025.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 18
22. Centre for the Governance of Al DC Fellowship 2025/2026.
GovAl is launching a DC-based edition of their flagship Seasonal Fellowship program. Seasonal Fellowships provide an opportunity for early-and mid-career professionals to deepen their understanding of Al policy, connect with a network of experts, and build their skills and professional profile, all while conducting an Al policy research project under expert guidance.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 25
23. Heinrich Böll Foundation Thessaloniki Green Foreign Policy Fellowship 2025/2026.
The fellowship aims to support scholars, practitioners and experts from across the world to galvanize certain critical discussions, provide space, access and experience in the realm of progressive foreign & security policy.
Click here to apply | Deadline: May 31
For more information, visit OD Blog.
