The agriculture sector continues to be a critical area for innovation, sustainability, and economic development, with numerous funding opportunities available in October 2025 for researchers, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and various organizations. These opportunities span a wide range of focus areas, from autonomous agriculture and advanced research to food security and rural development
Current opportunities
1.MassChallenge SUSTAINABLE FOOD CHALLENGE 2026 : Get your idea exposed to 8 leading food corporations and gain the chance of a pilot or investment
MassChallenge seeks startups and corporations with proven solutions or technologies in the areas of Sustainable Food & Feed Solutions, AgTech, and others. The Challenge allows participants to work together, create a joint pitch, and scale up innovative solutions. Selected corporate partners will be invited to the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge Day (June 2026). Selected startups will receive CHF1,000 to contribute towards travel to the event. Applicants can be from any geography. However, partners are headquartered in Europe, so physical collaboration would be mostly in Europe. The application deadline is 17 November 2025.
MORE DETAILS – sustainable Food Solutions Challenge
2.Submit your innovation to the annual Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge
Hosted by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and funded by the Seeding The Future Foundation (STF), the Challenge is intended to recognize and support breakthrough innovations that can spark transformations of our food systems, with a particular focus on addressing critical challenges in the Global South. The Challenge will award up to eight US$25 thousand grants. Nonprofits or academic or research institutions located in any country and early-stage U.S.-based for-profit companies are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. However, teams of students or researchers may participate as part of an organization’s submission. Applications are due on 15 December 2025.
3.Common Fund for Commodities — Support for Commodity Development
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises for production, value chains, and marketing across a wide group of commodities (agricultural crops, tree crops, timber, bamboo and rattan, minerals, and others). Projects need to focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Innovative solutions for new agritech applications, access to renewable energy, or expanding environmental services are especially welcome. All interested SMEs, enterprises, cooperatives, and governments must submit proposals no later than 01 April 2026.
MORE DETAILS – Common Fund for Commodities
4.Farm Radio International — Farm Radio Awards
The George Atkins Communication Award recognizes individual radio broadcasters for their outstanding commitment and contribution to food security and poverty reduction in low-income countries. The winners will receive a certificate and C$500. Farm Radio International broadcasting partners in Africa can apply. The deadline to apply is 17 October 2025.
More information- Farm Radio Awards
5.ICAW Poster Contest
The International Compost Awareness Week Committee invites submissions for its annual poster contest. This year’s theme is “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us”. The winning poster will serve as the promotional piece of the 2026 International Compost Awareness Week and the winner will receive US$500. The contest is open to anyone from 9th grade (age 14) or older from anywhere in the world. The contest runs until 14 November 2025.
About the poster contest
6.Marine Stewardship Council — Ocean Stewardship Fund
The Marine Stewardship Council invites fisheries, scientists, NGOs and postgraduates to apply for grants from the Ocean Stewardship Fund. The fund supports best practices in sustainable fishing with the aim to increase the number of sustainable fisheries around the world. Grants are also available to support small-scale fisheries and fisheries in the developing world. Furthermore, the Student Research Grant awards funding to support postgraduate students who are carrying out research with fisheries engaged or working towards the MSC program. Awards of between £5 thousand to £50 thousand are available across five different strands. The application deadline is 01 December 2025.
7.Startupbootcamp — Food & Agritech
Startupbootcamp provides access to funding, supporting the development of innovative solutions across sectors such as vertical farming, regenerative agriculture, food supply chain optimization, agritech hardware, sustainable packaging, alternative proteins, precision agriculture, food waste reduction, and agri-fintech. The accelerator supports startups developing solutions with the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Participants have access to a 3-month in-person accelerator designed to enable growth at speed, and €25 thousand cash investment per startup to cover expenses during the program, plus €100 thousand in-kind services. Applications close on 07 December 2025.
More details -Accelerator Food & Agritech
8.Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture — Seed Fund for Research and Training
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture provides up to US$15 thousand in start-up grants to Southeast Asian researchers to support innovative, short-term research or training projects aimed at improving food security, farmers’ incomes. Proposals must include a clear plan for scaling and long-term funding, and deliverables. The application deadline is 31 October 2025.
More info : Seed Fund for Research and Training
9.Forward Fooding — FoodTech 500
FoodTech 500 showcases the latest developments from international startup and scaleup companies across the food supply chain. FoodTech companies gain recognition in the AgriFoodTech industry and get the opportunity to be a speaker or exhibitor at international gatherings, conferences, and meetups. All companies from the Food Tech (or ‘AgriFoodTech’) sector can apply. The application deadline is 15 November 2025.
More About FoodTech 500 >>.
10.Hatch Blue — Women in Ocean Food
The Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio is a 12‑month accelerator for female founders and leadership teams across the blue economy—covering sustainable aquaculture, marine biotech, seafood value chains, ocean conservation, and blue carbon. The program provides tailored business strategy support, mentorship from global industry experts, post‑program guidance, and access to investor networks. Travel, accommodation, and meals are fully covered for two team members. Eligible applicants are women-led ventures in Latin America & the Caribbean, including early‑stage teams without formal registration. Applications close on 31 October 2025.
More about the Women in Ocean Food
11.Efico Foundation — Support for Coffee Producers
EFICO Foundation supports coffee farmers and their families through training and education programs, sustainable income increase, resilience for climate change, infrastructure support, and natural resource protection. About every 3 years, the Foundation organizes a project initiation round and funds projects that aim to improve the living conditions of coffee producers and their communities. Preference is given to projects having a clear strategy to become self-sustaining and creating a leverage effect. Applicants receive a full application form after contact.
More details : Efico Foundation
