The Global EbA Fund, co-led by IUCN and UNEP with support from Germany’s International Climate Initiative, is accepting proposals for its 2026 Medium-Size Grants call. Grants reach up to USD 500,000 each for projects of up to 24 months. The submission window runs from 12 October to 16 November 2026. This call suits established organisations that already have Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) work to scale, not first-time ideas.
Global EbA Fund Medium-Size Grants at a glance
| Deadline | 16 November 2026 (the official page gives no time zone) |
| Submission window | 12 October to 16 November 2026 |
| Grant size | Up to USD 500,000 per grant, up to 24 months |
| Who can apply | Legally recognised organisations: NGOs, community and Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, universities, research institutes, think tanks, some private sector entities and consortia |
| Geography | Global or thematic projects, or projects targeting only ODA-eligible countries |
| Cost to apply | No fee is mentioned on the official page |
| Official page | globalebafund.org/medium-size-grants |
Who can apply?
The Fund lists these eligible applicants: NGOs, international NGOs, intergovernmental organisations, community-based organisations, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, universities and academic institutions, research institutes and think tanks, private sector companies (under conditions) and consortia. Lead applicants and partners must be legally recognised entities. A consortium must name one lead Applicant Organisation, which becomes the contract party.
Individuals are not eligible, although an individual’s institution may apply on their behalf. UNEP and IUCN offices are not currently eligible. Government entities cannot receive funds directly or through sub-grants, but they can act as partners or beneficiaries. The Fund does not finance for-profit activities, sector-specific obligations or compensatory measures.
Project rules matter as much as applicant type. A project must qualify as EbA, show catalytic and innovative potential, build on existing work, partner with local institutions and explain how results will last. It must address one Strategic Objective and no more than two Action Pillars, and include at least three indicators from the Core Indicator Framework. Standalone projects, projects limited to field implementation and seed grant programmes are not accepted.
What does the call fund?
Up to USD 500,000 per grant over up to 24 months. The call has a General Track on strategic scaling and global influence, where alignment with a priority topic is welcome but optional. Three priorities are listed: innovative finance solutions for EbA, EbA for human development and security, and interlinkages between people, nature, climate and land, linking the Rio Conventions and the Sendai Framework.
How to apply
- Read the Grants Procedure Manual on the official Medium-Size Grants page.
- Download the call package: Applicant Declaration, Co-applicant Mandate, Application Form, Budget Template and Due Diligence Questionnaire.
- Prepare the Theory of Change, Logframe and Project Activities Form, which are uploaded directly to the portal.
- Complete the forms offline and submit everything through the online portal by 16 November 2026. The portal link is published on the official page from 12 October 2026.
Submissions must be in English, and official documents and registration records must be translated into English. Only successful applicants are contacted.
Advice from the Impact DOTS team
This call is built for NGO leaders and research institutions that can show prior EbA work and a credible next step. If your organisation is still testing a first pilot, the “must build on existing work” rule is the first criterion to check.
- Map your project to one Strategic Objective and at most two Action Pillars before drafting anything else.
- Choose three or more indicators from the Core Indicator Framework early, since the logframe depends on them.
- Name a local institutional partner and describe what continues after the grant ends. Sustainability is one of the stated evaluation criteria.
- Confirm that every target country is on the OECD DAC list, or frame the work as Global or Thematic.
- Start the due diligence questionnaire and English translations of registration documents now.
FAQ
Can an individual researcher apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible, but their institution can apply on their behalf.
Is there an application fee?
The official page does not mention any fee.
Can a previous grantee apply again?
Yes, in a different project area. A second phase of an already funded project will not be funded.
Sources
Global EbA Fund, Medium-Size Grants Call for Proposals 2026
