About this opportunity
Global EbA Fund Small-Size Grants 2026: Up to $250,000 for Climate and Nature-Based Projects
Organizations working on climate adaptation, biodiversity, environmental protection and nature-based solutions have a new funding opportunity in 2026. The Global EbA Fund Small-Size Grants 2026 is currently accepting applications for projects that help people and ecosystems adapt to climate change.
The grant can provide up to US$250,000 per project, with applications accepted online from 28 September to 26 October 2026. The call is open to eligible organizations, including NGOs, universities, research institutions, community-based organizations and certain private-sector entities.
For Ethiopian organizations, this opportunity is particularly worth examining because Ethiopia is included on the OECD’s DAC list of ODA-eligible countries. However, applicants should note that this particular Global EbA Fund call has a primary geographic focus on small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs). Applications from other ODA-eligible countries can still be considered when they demonstrate exceptional ambition and strong opportunities to scale ecosystem-based adaptation.
Global EbA Fund Small-Size Grants 2026 at a Glance
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant name | Global EbA Fund Small-Size Grants |
| Grant amount | Up to US$250,000 |
| Application opening | 28 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | 26 October 2026 |
| Project duration | Up to 24 months |
| Application method | Online |
| Application language | English |
| Eligible applicants | Organizations with established legal status |
| Geographic eligibility | ODA-eligible countries, with priority on SIDS and LDCs |
| Main theme | Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) |
| Individual applicants | Not eligible |
| Ethiopia | Potentially eligible, subject to the call’s criteria |
The official call states that each Small-Size Grant can be worth up to US$250,000, while projects can run for up to 24 months. All applications must be submitted through the online platform.
What Is the Global EbA Fund?
The Global EbA Fund supports innovative approaches that help communities and ecosystems become more resilient to climate change.
EbA stands for Ecosystem-based Adaptation. In simple terms, it means using or restoring ecosystems to help people adapt to climate-related risks.
Examples can include approaches involving:
- Forest restoration
- Wetland protection and restoration
- Watershed management
- Sustainable agriculture
- Ecosystem restoration
- Drought resilience
- Climate-resilient landscapes
- Biodiversity conservation linked to climate adaptation
- Nature-based solutions
- Community-led environmental adaptation
- Climate information and evidence generation
However, this grant is not simply a general environmental project fund. The proposed project must clearly demonstrate how an ecosystem-based approach will reduce vulnerability or improve resilience to identified climate risks. The Fund also wants projects that can contribute to wider systemic change and scaling.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Successful applicants can request up to US$250,000 under the Small-Size Grants window.
The Fund expects projects to have a maximum duration of 24 months. Applicants therefore need to develop a realistic project scope, timeline and budget rather than proposing activities that cannot reasonably be completed within the funding period. The requested amount should also be clearly connected to the proposed activities, expected results and project outcomes.
Who Can Apply for the Global EbA Fund Grant?
One of the important features of this opportunity is that individuals cannot apply for funding personally. The Fund accepts applications from legally recognized organizations and eligible institutional partnerships. LinkedIn for Ethiopian Job Seekers
Eligible applicant categories include:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- International NGOs
- Intergovernmental organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Indigenous Peoples’ organizations
- Universities and academic institutions
- Research institutes
- Think tanks
- Certain private-sector organizations
- Consortia of organizations
A consortium can apply, but it must have a clearly identified lead organization that will act as the applicant and responsible contract party if the proposal is selected.
Can Ethiopian Universities Apply?
Yes, universities and other academic institutions are included among the eligible organization types.
This could make the opportunity relevant to Ethiopian universities, research centers and academic partnerships working on areas such as climate adaptation, agriculture, water, biodiversity, environmental health or ecosystem restoration.
However, eligibility of the organization alone does not mean that every project will qualify. The proposed project must satisfy the Fund’s specific Ecosystem-based Adaptation requirements and evaluation criteria. Top University Departments in Ethiopia
Are Ethiopian Organizations Eligible?
Potentially, yes.
The Global EbA Fund states that the call can consider projects in ODA-eligible countries. Ethiopia is currently included on the OECD DAC list of ODA recipients.
However, there is an important qualification.
The 2026 Small-Size Grants call says its primary geographic focus is on ODA-eligible SIDS and LDCs. Applications from other ODA-eligible countries can nevertheless be considered where they demonstrate exceptional ambition and unique opportunities to scale ecosystem-based adaptation.
Therefore, an Ethiopian applicant should not assume that simply being located in Ethiopia is enough.
A competitive Ethiopian proposal should clearly explain:
- The climate problem being addressed.
- Why an ecosystem-based approach is appropriate.
- The communities and ecosystems that will benefit.
- What is innovative about the proposed approach.
- How the results can be replicated or scaled.
- How the project builds on existing work.
- How local institutions and communities will participate.
- How the project can influence policy, investment or wider adoption.
What Types of Projects Does the Fund Support?
The 2026 call focuses on projects that address barriers preventing ecosystem-based adaptation from being adopted or scaled.
The Fund specifically highlights several areas.
1. Institutional and Technical Capacity
Projects can address gaps in institutional or technical capacity that prevent effective ecosystem-based adaptation.
For example, an organization could develop technical capacity among local institutions to incorporate ecosystem-based approaches into climate adaptation planning.
2. Data and Evidence
The Fund is interested in improving the availability and quality of data and evidence.
This can include applied research designed to solve specific barriers to ecosystem-based adaptation.
3. Investment Readiness
Projects can help develop investment-ready concepts and project pipelines that could later attract larger climate financing.
This means the grant can potentially help move a promising adaptation idea toward larger-scale financing.
4. Innovative Technologies
The Fund encourages proposals involving innovative technologies that can adapt or scale tested solutions within specific socio-ecological systems.
5. Learning and Knowledge Networks
Projects can strengthen knowledge exchange and learning among organizations working on ecosystem-based adaptation.
6. Collaboration With Other EbA and Nature-Based Solution Initiatives
The Fund encourages projects that can connect with existing initiatives and create opportunities for collaboration and additional financing.
What Makes a Strong Ethiopian Application?
For Ethiopian applicants, one of the most important points is scalability.
Because the current call gives primary geographic emphasis to SIDS and LDCs while allowing applications from other ODA-eligible countries in exceptional cases, a proposal should go beyond describing a small local environmental activity.
For example, instead of simply proposing:
“Restore a small forest area in one community.”
a stronger concept could explain how the project will:
- Develop and test an ecosystem-based adaptation model.
- Generate evidence about its effectiveness.
- Involve local communities.
- Build the capacity of local institutions.
- Connect results with relevant policies.
- Develop a model that can be replicated in other Ethiopian landscapes.
- Prepare the concept for larger climate financing.
The Fund specifically expects projects to address systemic barriers and demonstrate catalytic and innovative potential.
Important Eligibility Requirements
Before spending significant time preparing a proposal, applicants should check the official eligibility requirements carefully.
The project must:
- Qualify as Ecosystem-based Adaptation.
- Have catalytic and innovative potential.
- Clearly identify the climate impacts being addressed.
- Explain how those impacts will be reduced.
- Target an ODA-eligible country where applicable.
- Request no more than US$250,000 under the Small-Size Grants window.
- Have a project duration of up to 24 months.
- Build on existing work rather than being an entirely standalone intervention.
- Demonstrate how results will continue beyond the funding period.
- Partner with local institutions and organizations.
- Demonstrate relevant experience among the lead applicant and partners.
- Include local communities, Indigenous Knowledge and gender perspectives where relevant.
- Be submitted by a legally recognized organization.
- Meet the Fund’s due-diligence requirements.
Can Individuals Apply?
No.
The Global EbA Fund specifically states that grants are open to organizations with established legal status and cannot be used to fund individual study, such as a person’s PhD.
An individual’s university or another eligible legal organization may potentially apply on their behalf where the proposed project meets the Fund’s requirements.
Therefore, students, individual researchers and independent applicants should not treat this as a personal scholarship or individual research grant.
What Documents Are Required?
Applicants should prepare the required documents before submitting through the online portal.
The Small-Size Grants application package includes:
- Applicant Declaration
- Co-applicant Mandate, where applicable
- Small-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.
Application Language
Applications must be submitted in English.
The Fund also states that official organizational documents and registration entries must be translated into English where necessary.
For Ethiopian organizations, this means it is important to prepare the proposal and supporting institutional documents well before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
How Will Applications Be Evaluated?
The Global EbA Fund uses several evaluation areas.
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation — 40%
This is the most heavily weighted area.
The proposal needs to demonstrate a clear ecosystem-based adaptation approach and explain how it will reduce climate vulnerability or improve resilience.
Innovative and Catalytic Contribution — 20%
The Fund wants projects that can produce broader change rather than simply finance routine activities.
Sustainability — 20%
Applicants should explain what happens after the grant ends and how results can continue, be replicated or scaled.
Institutional Arrangements and Budget — 20%
The organization needs appropriate structures, financial capacity, technical expertise and internal controls. The budget should also be clearly connected to the proposed activities and results.
Gender and Social Inclusion Matter
The Fund also evaluates how projects involve diverse stakeholders.
Applicants are encouraged to meaningfully involve:
- Women
- Youth
- Indigenous Peoples where relevant
- Marginalized groups
- Local communities
- Relevant local institutions
The proposal should explain who will benefit, how they will participate and how social and gender considerations are integrated into the project.
For an Ethiopian project, this could be particularly important when designing interventions involving rural communities, natural resources, agriculture, pastoral areas or vulnerable populations.
How to Apply for the Global EbA Fund Grant
Applications must be submitted online through the Global EbA Fund application platform.
The submission window is:
28 September 2026 – 26 October 2026
The Fund recommends preparing the application form offline before submitting it through the online platform. This is particularly useful for applicants who may experience unreliable internet connectivity.
Application Steps
Step 1: Check your organization’s eligibility
Make sure your organization has the required legal status and relevant experience.
Step 2: Check whether your project qualifies as EbA
The project should clearly connect ecosystems, climate risks and adaptation outcomes.
Step 3: Download the application documents
Review the application form, budget template, Theory of Change/logframe requirements and due-diligence documents.
Step 4: Develop your project concept
Clearly identify the climate problem, ecosystem, target communities, intervention, expected results and scaling pathway.
Step 5: Prepare the budget
Make sure the requested funding is realistic and directly connected to project activities.
Step 6: Prepare supporting documents
Complete the required organizational and financial information.
Step 7: Submit online
Submit the complete application through the official Global EbA Fund online application platform before 26 October 2026.
Deadline: 26 October 2026
The official submission window closes on:
26 October 2026
Applications must be submitted through the online platform during the stated submission window.
Because applications require multiple documents and institutional information, eligible organizations should not wait until the deadline day.
Important Warning for Ethiopian Applicants
This is a competitive institutional grant, not a general-purpose cash grant.
Being Ethiopian does not automatically mean an applicant will receive funding. Ethiopia is an ODA-eligible country, but this particular call gives primary geographic focus to SIDS and LDCs and says other ODA-eligible countries may be considered where proposals demonstrate exceptional ambition and unique opportunities for scaling EbA.
Applicants should therefore carefully read the official call documents before preparing a proposal.
Also remember that the grant is not intended to finance individual study, personal expenses, ordinary business activities or unrelated environmental projects.
Related Opportunities and Career Resources
If you are looking for more funding, scholarships and opportunities, explore other resources on The Index.
You can also read our guide on top university departments in Ethiopia to understand fields connected to growing career opportunities in the country.
For graduates and job seekers, our guide on LinkedIn for Ethiopian job seekers explains how to build a professional profile and find employment opportunities online.
If you are interested in earning online, our guide to legitimate work-from-home opportunities provides additional information about remote and online work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Global EbA Fund grant open to Ethiopia?
Potentially, yes. Ethiopia is an ODA-eligible country, and the Fund says applications from other ODA-eligible countries can be considered. However, the current Small-Size Grants call primarily focuses geographically on ODA-eligible SIDS and LDCs, so Ethiopian proposals need to demonstrate exceptional ambition and strong scaling potential.
How much can an organization receive?
The Small-Size Grants window offers grants of up to US$250,000 per project.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is 26 October 2026. Applications are accepted from 28 September through 26 October 2026.
Can an individual Ethiopian apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible to apply directly. Eligible organizations such as universities, NGOs and research institutions can apply if they meet the requirements.
Can Ethiopian universities apply?
Universities and other academic institutions are among the organization types eligible for review, subject to the full project and organizational requirements.
What does EbA mean?
EbA means Ecosystem-based Adaptation. It involves using biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of a strategy to help people adapt to climate change.
Must the project be new?
Not necessarily. The Fund says projects should be built on or leverage existing work, knowledge, standards, partnerships or experiences rather than being purely standalone interventions.
Can a government office receive the grant directly?
No. The Fund states that it does not provide grants directly to government partners. Government entities can participate in partnerships, but they should not receive the funding.
Is the application online?
Yes. Applications for the Small-Size Grants call must be submitted through the online platform.
Final Takeaway
The Global EbA Fund Small-Size Grants 2026 is a substantial funding opportunity for eligible organizations developing innovative ecosystem-based approaches to climate adaptation.
For Ethiopian NGOs, universities, research institutions and eligible partnerships, the opportunity is worth investigating because Ethiopia is an ODA-eligible country. However, applicants should pay close attention to the call’s geographic priorities and build a proposal that demonstrates innovation, climate relevance, local participation, sustainability and strong potential for replication or scaling.
With funding of up to US$250,000 and a deadline of 26 October 2026, eligible organizations should begin preparing their application as early as possible.