Global EbA Fund: grants of up to $500,000 for ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change for NGOs, universities, research institutions and consortia, apply by 16 November

The Global EbA Fund has announced a call for proposals under its Medium-Size Grants window to support innovative ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change. Implemented under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German government, the fund is jointly administered by a secretariat run by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Selected initiatives will receive grant funding of up to USD 500,000 per project for interventions lasting up to 24 months. The fund seeks catalytic projects that address systemic barriers to scaling adaptation solutions, generate global learning, and strengthen national policy frameworks.

The submission window opens on 12 October 2026 and closes on 16 November 2026. All applications must be completed and submitted via the donor’s official online platform.

What is funded

The call provides financing for collaborative, innovative initiatives that overcome systemic barriers to EbA adoption and support strategic policy dialogue. Projects should strengthen enabling environments, embed EbA into national frameworks, and connect climate, biodiversity, land, and sustainable development priorities.

While applicants may submit under a general track, alignment is welcomed across three priority topics: innovative finance solutions to unlock private capital and blended finance, EbA for human development and security in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, and operational interlinkages across global conventions such as the Rio Conventions and the Sendai Framework. Interventions must demonstrate clear pathways toward commercial viability, conflict reduction, or multi-convention operational coherence.

Who can apply

Eligible entities include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international NGOs, intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), and Indigenous People’s Organisations. Universities, academic institutions, research institutes, think tanks, and private sector companies are also eligible.

Consortia of organisations promoting collaborative impact around EbA are welcome to apply. Government entities may participate as members of a consortium, provided they do not receive any direct funding or sub-grants from the Global EbA Fund. Consortia must clearly designate an eligible lead applicant organisation to serve as the responsible contracting party.

Conditions and requirements

Projects can request up to USD 500,000 and must be implemented within a maximum timeframe of 24 months. Proposed activities must meet high standards for innovation and scalability, facilitating EbA uptake, local implementation, and targeted knowledge exchange.

In compliance with IKI policies, direct grants or sub-grants to governments at any level are strictly prohibited. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to collaborate closely with national, sub-national, and local government partners to foster enabling environments and advance policy uptake without transferring funds to public entities.

How to apply

The official call launches on 24 August 2026, and full applications must be submitted via the online platform between 12 October and 16 November 2026. A complete application package consists of the Medium-Size Grants Application Form, Theory of Change, Logframe and Project Activities Form, Project Proposal Budget Template, Due Diligence and Financial Capacity Questionnaire, Applicant Declaration, and Co-applicant Mandate.

Practical tip. Download all templates early and draft your application offline before the submission portal opens, ensuring your Theory of Change and logframe clearly explain how your intervention overcomes systemic barriers to EbA scaling without allocating any direct funding to government partners.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: globalebafund.org.