The FID funds innovative solutions—whether technological, social, financial, methodological, or environmental—with high impact potential to combat poverty and inequality in low- and middle-income countries. Mexico is listed on the OECD’s DAC list as an eligible upper-middle-income country.

The priority sectors are education, health, climate change, and gender equality, although the fund is open to any sector that addresses poverty and inequality. The FID works at different stages of a project’s development, from the design and prototyping of an early-stage idea (Prepare Grants, up to €50,000), through piloting (Pilot Grants, up to €200,000), impact assessment and growth (Scale Grants, up to €1.5 million), to the transition to mass scale (up to €4 million).

Universities, research institutes, governments, NGOs, and companies may apply, either independently or as part of a consortium; individuals and multilateral organizations may not apply.

The Spencer Foundation’s Vision Grants are planning grants that bring together a team of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community partners for 12 to 18 months to collaboratively develop ambitious research projects aimed at transforming education systems toward greater equity. It is an open-ended program that spans disciplines such as education, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, economics, history, and neuroscience as they relate to central questions about education.

The application process has two key deadlines: first, the letter of intent must be submitted no later than August 12, 2026; second, the complete proposal must be submitted no later than September 16, 2026. Receiving a Vision Grant is a prerequisite for subsequently applying for a larger grant (“Transformative Research Grant”).

Funding is not awarded directly to individuals; all proposals must be submitted through an administering organization (such as a university), and the Foundation accepts applications from organizations outside the United States. Important: The focus is specifically on research into educational and pedagogical systems, not the social sciences in general.

The Lloyd’s of London Foundation invites university scholars and research institutions to submit projects that improve the understanding and management of risk, for the public good and accessible to all.

The specific thematic area of this call for proposals is climate change adaptation and mitigation, including current and future climate- and humanitarian-related risks arising from fires, floods, droughts, changes in weather patterns, and other natural disasters, both in the United Kingdom and globally.

Research that has a clear connection to the financial dimension of risk and its impact on society is particularly valued, as is a clear path toward practical impact through collaboration with non-academic stakeholders.

Proposals that aim for immediate commercial results, lack a clear research methodology, or do not involve non-academic stakeholders will not be accepted.

The DAAD, as part of its bilateral agreement with Mexico (through ANUIES, the Ministry of Education, and UNAM), invites professors and researchers with doctoral degrees who are affiliated with Mexican universities that are members of ANUIES to undertake short-term research stays at institutions of higher education or research centers in Germany.

This call for applications funds stays ranging from 14 days to 3 months, with monthly payments of 2,000 (assistant professors/lecturers) to 2,150 (professors) euros, depending on the applicant’s academic rank. Important: As this is a bilateral program, the award of the fellowship aims to maintain a balanced exchange in both directions between Mexico and Germany; however, unlike other DAAD funding lines, this specific call for Mexico (through ANUIES) does not require the researcher to already have a confirmed German counterpart at the time of application.

A call for proposals that supports partnerships between higher education institutions in Mexico and the United Kingdom to strengthen gender-sensitive policies, systems, and practices, including topics such as women’s leadership, employability, safe institutional spaces, and women’s participation in STEM.

Funding of up to £25,000 per project for two 17-month fellowships beginning in January 2027. Important: UP may only participate as a Mexican partner institution; the application must be initiated and led by a UK institution.

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC), with support from The LEGO Foundation, invites early-career researchers to participate in the LEGO Foundation Fellowship program, which aims to strengthen research on learning, child development, and education.

This call for proposals supports research projects focused on learning through play and other innovative strategies that contribute to the holistic development of children and youth. It is aimed at researchers with experience in education, learning sciences, psychology, child development, and related disciplines, and also promotes international collaboration and academic exchange.

The OpenAI Foundation is calling on universities, research centers, and organizations to submit projects that promote the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence to generate social benefits.

The call for proposals funds initiatives aimed at applying AI in areas such as education, health, economic development, civic engagement, and well-being, with an emphasis on ethical, inclusive, and people-centered solutions.

It is aimed at institutions and multidisciplinary teams that develop projects with the potential for social impact and scalability.

The Common Good Cyber Fund invites universities, research centers, and organizations to submit projects aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and digital infrastructure as public goods.

The call for proposals funds applied research and development initiatives in areas such as cybersecurity, open-source software, digital resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and strengthening the Internet ecosystem, with an emphasis on projects of public interest.
It is aimed at institutions and research teams developing innovative solutions that have an impact on the security and sustainability of the digital environment.

The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) invites researchers affiliated with universities and research centers in low- and middle-income countries to submit proposals for applied research projects on the responsible use of digital technologies in humanitarian action.

The call for proposals funds research related to artificial intelligence, privacy and data protection, digital trust, and other technologies applied to disaster preparedness and response, with the aim of generating evidence to strengthen decision-making and humanitarian policies.

It is open to researchers affiliated with accredited academic institutions. Projects will have a maximum duration of 8 months and may receive funding of up to USD $10,000.

Through ScotiaINSPIRA, Scotiabank invites nonprofit organizations to submit projects aimed at strengthening the economic resilience of individuals and communities, with an emphasis on employability, financial literacy, and economic inclusion.

The initiative funds applied projects with a direct social impact that have clearly defined beneficiaries, measurable outcomes, and the capacity for implementation. Proposals that are already underway or ready to be implemented, with clear impact indicators and the potential for scalability, are given priority.

This is not a traditional call for academic research, but rather for projects with a practical focus and concrete results on the ground.
It is open to nonprofit organizations with legal status; individual applications and purely theoretical projects will not be accepted.

The Mexico–United States Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (COMEXUS) invites Mexican researchers to apply for the Fulbright-García Robles Research Fellowship Program, which aims to strengthen academic collaboration between Mexico and the United States.

This call for applications is open to individuals with a Ph.D. or those in postdoctoral positions who are interested in conducting research projects at U.S. institutions in various fields of study.

The program offers stays of three to nine months in the United States, with financial support and access to an international academic environment.

COECyTJAL is calling on universities, research centers, and organizations in Jalisco to submit applied research and technological development projects focused on innovation and collaboration with the private sector.

It is aimed at public and private institutions based in the state that carry out projects with an impact on strategic sectors such as health, agribusiness, and technology.

The COECyTJAL is calling on institutions in Jalisco to submit applied research and technological development projects that have an impact on strategic sectors and are linked to the productive sector.

It is aimed at universities and research centers in the state that have the capacity to carry out innovation projects.

The Federation of Mexican Private Institutions of Higher Education (FIMPES) and The University of Queensland (UQ) are inviting research teams to apply for their joint seed fund, which is designed to strengthen international academic collaboration and support the development of early-stage research projects.

The call for proposals will fund up to two projects, each with a grant of $10,000, for activities that promote collaboration, such as academic mobility, workshops, working meetings, and the development of joint proposals. Projects must have a maximum duration of 12 months.

It is open to teams composed of researchers from at least two FIMPES member institutions and one UQ institution, in fields such as energy, health, the environment, infrastructure, agri-food, and advanced manufacturing.

The BBVA Foundation is launching its Leonardo Scholarships program for the first time in Latin America, targeting mid-career researchers and creators in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.

The call for proposals will award 65 grants of up to $50,000 for projects in fields such as basic sciences, engineering, artificial intelligence, the environment, the humanities, and the arts. Projects may be carried out over a period of 12 to 18 months, with flexibility in their implementation.

It is aimed at professionals between the ages of 30 and 45 who have established careers and high potential, with the goal of promoting scientific innovation and cultural creation in the region. This initiative is part of the international expansion of a program that has supported hundreds of researchers in Spain since 2014.