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From Africa to Latin America and the Caribbean
This initiative supports current UNESCO and International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) priorities to strengthen geoscience research, capacity-building, and international scientific cooperation.
In 2025, the IGCP Council launched a special call for Africa, attracting more than 300 expressions of interest from 45 countries. Following a competitive process, three projects were selected for funding of up to USD 50,000 annually for three years, supporting work on groundwater, mineral resources, climate change, linked to UNESCO Global Geoparks in Africa.
Building on this experience, the 11th session of the International Geoscience Programme Council, held on 10 and 30 March 2026, launched a new special call for Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen regional scientific cooperation, capacity-building, and sustainable development. Jointly funded by UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences with USD 150,000 and based on IGCP project criteria, the call supports internationally relevant geoscience research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity-building in the region.
How to apply
Interested applicants must submit an online expression of interest by 13 July 2026 here.
The form will guide applicants through all required information, including:
- Project title
- Main project leaders and co-leaders (names, countries, and affiliations)
- Project description, including objectives, methods, timeline, deliverables, and requested IGCP funding. Description of how IGCP funding will be used
- Description of how the project relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and relevant regional priorities for the concerned region.
- List of additional partner institutions and their potential financial or in-kind contributions.
- Up to five relevant publications authored or co-authored by the project leader(s)
- A maximum three-page CV of the project leader(s) and co-leaders, including grants, publications, and supervised Master’s and PhD students.
Submissions sent by email will not be considered.
The IGCP Council will review all applications received and invite selected projects to provide a full proposal for further evaluation.
Selection criteria
Projects should meet the following criteria:
- Align with at least one of the six IGCP themes:
- Earth resources
- Global change and the evolution of life
- Geohazards
- Hydrogeology
- Geodynamics
- Geoheritage
- Demonstrate the ability to achieve project goals within the planned project period and with the requested funding
- Demonstrate a clear alignment with UNESCO and IUGS priorities to strengthen geoscience research in Latin America and the Caribbean region
- Include capacity-building activities such as workshops, field trips, training for Master’s or Doctoral students, support for postdoctoral researchers, early-career professionals, local communities, geological surveys, universities, UNESCO Global Geoparks, or other relevant institutions
- Provide details of existing funding and potential funding sources, if applicable
Project leaders must:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent degree
- Be currently employed at a relevant institution in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as a university, research centre, geological survey, UNESCO Global Geopark, or other relevant scientific institution.
Funding
Successful projects may receive up to USD 50,000 for an initial one-year period, with the possibility of renewal for up to three years. Funding levels after year one will be at the IGCP Council’s discretion, based on satisfactory progress, and subject to ranking, availability of funds, and successful delivery.
Funds may be used for:
- Fieldwork expenses
- Laboratory analyses
- Travel expenses for scientific meetings, including for graduate students working on their thesis under the research project
- Capacity-building activities such as workshops, training, field schools, or regional knowledge-sharing activities
Funds may not be used for:
- Stipends or salaries
- Purchase of computer hardware, software, or laboratory equipment
- Publication fees
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/call-expressions-interest-geoscience-funding-latin-america-and-caribbean?hub=701
