Application Deadline: October 1st, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2026 Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge. The Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge is one of the Elsevier Foundation’s flagship partnerships. Together with Elsevier’s Chemistry journals, the Elsevier Foundation provides funding of 25,000 USD for 2 winning projects per year, implementing green & sustainable chemistry solutions in the Global South – advancing both Climate Action (SDG 13) and Gender Equity (SDG 5).
Requirements
- In-scope: scale-ups of early-stage projects where the prize represents most of the overall needed budget; innovative green & sustainable chemistry solutions implemented in the global South. For example, projects looking at Sustainable Chemistry Solutions: Waste Utilization; Alternative Energy Sources; Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health; Climate Change Mitigation; Community Empowerment; Sustainable Agriculture; Water Resource Management; Health and Well-being.
- Out-of-scope: projects to be implemented outside of low-and-middle income countries; projects with no gender component, educational projects without a strong scientific green & sustainable chemistry component; prize money mainly used on expensive equipment; prize money mainly used on personnel; projects in the Global South without a local implementation partner.
Award
- The winning projects will receive a prize of $25,000 each. The winners will be announced at the 10th Elsevier Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference (18-20 May, 2026) in Dresden, Germany.
Application Timeline
The Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge is articulated in the following phases:
- Final presentation: The Top 5 finalists will be invited to present their proposals at the 10th Elsevier Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference (18-20 May 2026, Dresden, Germany) to compete for the two Challenge prizes. The winners will be announced at the end of the conference.
- Submission phase: Proposals can be submitted during the general submission period from July 7, 2025, to October 1, 2025.
- Reviewing phase: A panel of expert reviewers will evaluate all submissions and select a shortlist of proposals to advance to the judging phase. The shortlist will be announced by October 30, 2025.
- Judging phase: Our scientific jury will thoroughly assess the shortlisted proposals to identify the Top 5 finalists. The finalist proposals will be announced on our website on January 15, 2026.
Selection Criteria
- The list of the shortlisted proposals advancing to the judging phase will be published on the Elsevier Foundation website on October 30, 2025.
- The Top 5 finalists will be announced on our website on January 15, 2026.
- The winners of the Challenge will be announced on May 20, 2026 – at the 10th Elsevier Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference and on our website.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge
