Global — Global EbA Fund 2026 Medium-Size Ecosystem-based Adaptation Grants (Up to $500,000; November 16)

Global EbA Fund 2026 Medium-Size Grants offer up to $500,000 per eligible climate-adaptation project, lasting up to 24 months. NGOs, community and Indigenous organizations, universities, research institutions, and other qualifying entities may apply by November 16, 2026. Projects must be global/thematic or operate in ODA-eligible countries; local partnership and compliance requirements apply.

Broad Eligibility

Legally recognized NGOs/INGOs, community-based and Indigenous Peoples organizations, IGOs, universities, researchers, think tanks, certain private companies and consortia with experienced lead applicant. Projects global/thematic or located in ODA-eligible countries; country-level projects require qualified local organizations and at least 25% budget allocation to local partners. Governments may partner but may not receive grant funding. No individual applicants.

Atlas Analysis

2026 Global EbA Fund Medium-Size Grants

The Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Fund, administered by IUCN and UNEP, is accepting applications for its 2026 Medium-Size Grants. These are competitive applicant-facing financial-assistance grants for established, innovative projects that remove barriers to scaling ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. This is the medium-size call, distinct from the small-size call that closed on October 26, 2026; it is not a procurement contract.

Individual applicant funding and duration

Up to US$500,000 per grant for projects lasting no more than 24 months. The award limit applies to an individual grant proposal, not to a program-wide funding pool. No mandatory matching contribution is stated in the controlling grant procedures; co-financing is encouraged but is not an eligibility requirement. Award payments and reporting are governed by the agreement and grant procedures, including periodic financial reporting.

Eligible applicants and geography

Eligible legally established organizations include NGOs and international NGOs, community-based and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, intergovernmental organizations, universities, academic and research institutions, think tanks, certain private-sector entities and eligible consortia. The lead organization signs the grant agreement and must pass organizational and financial due diligence. Individual applicants and government agencies do not qualify as direct grantees. Government entities may collaborate but must not receive grant funding or government subgrants. Private-sector projects must deliver public benefit and cannot subsidize ordinary for-profit or regulatory obligations.

Projects may be global or thematic, or focus on one or more countries on the OECD DAC list of official development assistance (ODA) recipients. A lead applicant need not be headquartered in a beneficiary country but must have relevant experience and local partners. For country-level activities, the controlling solicitation requires consortium collaboration with local organizations and allocation of at least 25% of the project budget to local partners, subject to diligence. A U.S.-based organization is not automatically disqualified as a lead, but an ordinary U.S.-only local project is not automatically eligible.

Project fit and restrictions

Projects must build on existing EbA work or knowledge and demonstrate scalable, catalytic, measurable impact. Relevant priorities include innovative finance, climate adaptation and human security, and integration of biodiversity, land, climate and disaster-risk reduction policy. Proposals must address one Fund strategic objective and no more than two action pillars, address defined climate vulnerabilities, substantiate a Theory of Change, and include at least three suitable core indicators. Standalone routine field implementation, individual educational study, direct government transfers and unrelated commercial activity are not eligible. Applicants must review all cost-eligibility, environmental and social safeguards, audit and reporting requirements in the Grants Procedure Manual.

Application window and required materials

Applications opened October 12, 2026 and close November 16, 2026. The official funding page does not state an exact closing time or time zone; applicants should submit early rather than assume a local-midnight deadline. Proposals must be submitted online, in English, using the Fund’s application portal. The official package includes the applicant declaration, co-applicant mandate where applicable, application form, Theory of Change/logframe and activities form, project budget template, and due diligence and financial capacity questionnaire. Provide legal recognition and appropriate organizational records, with English translations where required. Applicants should verify the portal’s current submission instructions before sending.

Official application and controlling sources

Official Medium-Size Grants 2026 funding announcement, application package, FAQ and linked official Call for Proposals. IUCN grant application portal. The funder also links the controlling Grants Procedure Manual on its official program page. Source and eligibility terms researched and verified November 5, 2026. No closing time or time zone was published in the official materials reviewed.