Circular Economy grants — page 5
658 listings tracked right now · page 5 of 14
Circular economy funding has moved from a niche industrial-decarbonization sub-theme to a top-line priority in the EU (Circular Economy Action Plan, Horizon Cluster 6), the UK (DEFRA Resources & Waste Strategy), and a growing list of MDB programmes. The 2024–2026 wave concentrates on textiles, electronics, plastics, and battery materials. Listed below are the open circular economy grant calls in that landscape, taken from each funder's own notice and re-checked on every refresh.
Industrial grants are capital-heavy and correspondingly slow. The recurring large pots are the EU Innovation Fund, the US Industrial Demonstrations Program, and the UK Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, all of which expect a named site, a credible counterfactual for emissions saved, and matched investment already committed. Smaller circular-economy and waste calls come through EU LIFE, national environment agencies and local authorities, where the eligibility is broader and the cheques are far smaller.
This page lists open circular economy grants currently tracked by Raise Lens — 658 of them right now, sorted with the soonest deadline first. Every listing has been classified against the sustainability taxonomy rather than matched on keywords, so what appears here is circular economy work rather than anything whose description happens to mention it.
The funders publishing circular economy grants here include Bonventure, Formas, Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO), among 2 others. Who is funding matters as much as what: eligibility, reporting burden and the realistic timeline to a decision vary far more between funders than between individual calls.
Geographic coverage on this page spans GLOBAL, LATAM, NORTH-AMERICA, AFRICA, GLOBAL-SOUTH. Eligibility is usually tied to where the work happens or where the applying organisation is registered, and the two are not always the same — worth checking before investing time in an application.
a European sustainable-consumption venture fund
••••• organisation
The funder 2 is an impact-focused venture fund making equity investments in sustainable food and consumption companies, with portfolio companies like Followfood demonstrating a focus on food-systems traceability and transparency. The fund targets early-stage startups and scale-ups working on sustainable consumption and food-systems innovation.
Swedish Research Foundation Annual Open Call
••••• organisation
The funder' annual open call funds research proposals across sustainable development topics, with applicants submitting through the Prisma system. The call is broad-based and welcomes research addressing environmental and sustainability challenges.
Financing for Nordic Companies
••••• organisation
NEFCO provides loan financing and financial support to help Nordic small and medium-sized companies scale green solutions and sustainability initiatives on global markets. The programme targets SMEs with proven business models seeking growth capital for environmental and climate-positive ventures.
Funding for Circular Economy Civil Society Organizations
••••• Foundation
The funder funds civil society organizations driving the transition from linear to circular economy models, with emphasis on plastic waste reduction and environmental protection. Eligible applicants are nonprofits and civil society groups working on circular economy and waste-reduction initiatives.
Private Equity (Sustainable Private Equity Fund II)
••••• organisation
The funder's Sustainable Private Equity Fund II invests up to $1 billion in established, sustainability-focused companies that are ready for scale but prefer long-term aligned private capital over public markets. The fund targets proven sustainability platforms across cleantech and related sectors.
A sustainability-focused venture fund — Pre-seed to Series A
••••• organisation
The funder provides follower equity cheques for pre-seed through Series A climate, energy, AI, and sustainability companies across the USA, Europe, and Latin America. The fund is led by experienced founders, operators, and investors backing ventures in renewable energy, circular economy, carbon markets, and related deep-tech sectors.
Funding Initiative: Raw Materials for the Energy Transition
••••• Foundation
This grant funds sustainable sourcing, processing, and use of critical raw materials (lithium, cobalt, rare earths, etc.) essential for renewable energy and energy-transition technologies. It targets organizations working on circular economy, responsible mining, material efficiency, and supply-chain sustainability in the energy sector.
Industrials & Materials
••••• Authority
QIA offers equity investments in industrials and materials companies globally, with a sustainability focus. This is a portfolio-level investment programme targeting companies in the industrial and materials sectors that align with sustainability objectives.
Climate Tech & Sustainable Infrastructure Growth Equity
••••• organisation
This is a growth equity investment programme connecting privately held Climate Tech and Sustainable Infrastructure companies (Late Seed to Series A stage) with a network of 120+ investors across UK, Europe, and North America. It focuses on hard-to-decarbonise sectors including advanced mobility, energy storage, food & agriculture, carbon management, and circular economy.
Long-Term USD Debt Investment for Textile Manufacturers
••••• Fund
The funder provides long-term USD loans to textile and apparel manufacturers in India and Bangladesh to finance adoption of sustainable production technologies that achieve at least 50% reduction in materials, energy, or water use. Loans up to $2.5M are paired with technical, environmental, and social expertise to support investees.
Invent: Innovation programme focused on developing and scaling new technologies and business models for mining and resources operations
••••• organisation
BHP Invent is an innovation programme that funds development and scaling of new technologies and business models for mining and resources operations, with focus on automation, sustainability, and operational efficiency. It targets entrepreneurs, startups, and technology developers who can solve challenges across BHP's mining value chain.
Corporate venture capital fund investing in early-stage and growth companies developing mining and resources technologies
••••• organisation
BHP Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund investing in early-stage and growth companies developing technologies for mining and resources operations, with focus on decarbonisation, productivity, and sustainability innovation. The fund targets entrepreneurs and companies building solutions relevant to BHP's operational challenges and climate/sustainability goals.
Venture funding for supply chain, logistics, and port technology from a global shipping operator
••••• organisation
PSA Ventures invests in startups and growth-stage companies developing supply chain, logistics, and port technology innovations that advance agility, resilience, and sustainability in global trade. The fund targets entrepreneurs aligned with PSA International's strategic priorities in these sectors.
Circular Investments
••••• organisation
The funder is investing in circular economy businesses and models that reduce waste and enable resource circularity aligned with its sustainability goals. The fund targets entrepreneurs and companies developing circular business solutions.
Corporate venture funding for food and agriculture technology startups
••••• organisation
ADM Ventures invests in early-stage food and agriculture technology startups developing innovations in human nutrition, animal nutrition, industrial biosolutions, and related agri-food technologies. The fund targets cutting-edge startups solving problems across the food and agriculture value chain.
General Grants Programme
••••• Foundation
The funder's General Grants Programme funds organisations tackling climate and nature crises, reducing societal polarisation, promoting equitable economic models, and advancing justice for marginalised communities. Eligible organisations have annual income between £100k–£10m and apply via a rolling two-stage process.
a Swiss specialty-chemicals venture fund
••••• organisation
The funder Ventures is a corporate venture fund investing in early-stage startups developing innovations in nutrition, health, beauty, and sustainability that complement the funder's core businesses in taste, texture, perfumery, and animal nutrition. The fund targets companies advancing sustainable food systems, alternative proteins, and health-focused biotechnology.
Corporate Venturing / Startups & Open Innovation
••••• organisation
Repsol's corporate venturing arm invests in early to growth-stage startups developing low-carbon technologies, renewables, circular economy solutions, advanced mobility, and digitalisation aligned with energy transition. The fund operates through open innovation pipelines targeting companies that advance decarbonisation and sustainability across multiple sectors.
Nuclear Techniques Initiative for Microplastics Monitoring and Radiation-Based Recycling
••••• organisation
NUTEC Plastics is an IAEA-backed initiative that uses nuclear and radiation techniques to monitor microplastics in water systems and develop radiation-based recycling technologies to address plastic pollution. The grant supports organizations working on plastic waste reduction and environmental monitoring through nuclear science applications.
A Japanese chemicals company's corporate venture capital arm
••••• organisation
The funder's corporate venture capital arm invests in early-stage startups developing innovative materials, chemicals, and solutions that align with the group's core business verticals: housing, infrastructure, plastics, electronics, healthcare, and sustainability. The fund targets companies whose technologies complement or extend Sekisui's existing portfolio in advanced materials and chemical solutions.
South Climate Loan (PACA Regional Recovery Loan)
••••• organisation
A participatory loan programme from the funder supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the PACA region to finance ecological and energy transition investments. The loan covers working capital and intangible investments related to environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate-related improvements at preferential fixed rates with minimal collateral requirements.
Extended producer responsibility for packaging: become a compliance scheme
••••• Agency
This is a regulatory compliance pathway for organizations seeking approval as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance schemes under UK packaging regulations. It guides producers and scheme operators through registration, responsibility-taking, and ongoing compliance requirements for packaging waste management.
Open Innovation Challenge – Circular Economy
••••• organisation
An open innovation challenge funding substantive solutions for circular economy models based on sharing, reusing, and repairing materials. The programme links Italy and Africa to develop inclusive and sustainable production/consumption alternatives.
Environmental Conservation
••••• Foundation
This grant supports environmental protection, ecological diversity, and sustainability projects, including environmental awareness and incentive systems for sustainable economies. It is open to organizations working on conservation, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Challenge Funds
••••• Agency
SIDA's Challenge Funds is a competitive grant mechanism supporting private sector and other partners to develop innovative solutions that advance sustainable development goals. The fund targets breakthrough ideas and business models with potential for scalable impact across development and sustainability sectors.
Practice and Action Projects
••••• Fund
This grant funds community-led projects that convert environmental awareness into measurable personal and collective sustainable behaviors and lifestyle changes. It targets nonprofits, community groups, and social enterprises working on behavior change and sustainable living adoption at the local level.
Global Innovation Challenge 2025
••••• organisation
A global competition for youth-led startups and impact projects that deliver measurable social or environmental outcomes, offering grants up to $15,000 plus founder support and network access. Eligible projects span social entrepreneurship, environment, education, health, energy, and agriculture sectors.
Grant for Early-career Researchers
••••• organisation
The funder offers a dedicated grant programme for early-career researchers conducting work in sustainable development and related thematic areas. The grant supports research projects aligned with the funder' sustainability priorities, though specific funding amounts and application deadlines are not detailed in this listing.
Explore: One of a Swedish research-funding agency's most competitive calls, using a lottery-based or chance element to fund highly innovative…
••••• organisation
The funder' highly competitive research grant call that funds innovative sustainability and research proposals, using a lottery-based selection process for shortlisted applications. Designed for researchers and institutions pursuing cutting-edge work in sustainable development and environmental research.
Annual Open Call
••••• organisation
The funder' annual open call funds research projects across sustainable development themes, accepting applications on a rolling or annual basis. The grant is designed for researchers and institutions working on sustainability and environmental challenges.
Murros-call: A special funding call focused on transformative environmental projects and systemic change
••••• Foundation
The Murros-call is a special funding opportunity from the funder focused on transformative environmental projects that drive systemic change. It supports organizations and initiatives working on environmental sustainability and climate-related interventions.
Green Youth Upskilling Programme
••••• Foundation
This grant programme awards funding to young innovators developing climate-sensitive and sustainable innovations, with recent cohorts receiving ₦20 million distributed among 10 recipients. It targets early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators focused on sustainability and climate solutions.
Raw Materials for the Energy Transition Initiative
••••• Foundation
This grant funds sustainable sourcing, processing, and use of critical raw materials (lithium, cobalt, rare earths, etc.) essential for renewable energy and energy-transition technologies. It targets organizations working on circular economy, responsible mining, material efficiency, and supply-chain sustainability in the energy sector.
Green Start-up: Funding programme targeted at green start-ups working on environmentally innovative solutions
••••• Foundation
This is a funding programme from the funder that supports green start-ups developing environmentally innovative solutions. Applicants can apply through a dedicated process to receive financial promotion for cleantech and sustainable product ventures.
Food: Programme focused on transforming the food system to be more sustainable, fair and inclusive for all actors in
••••• Foundation
This grant funds programmes that transform food systems to be more sustainable, fair, and inclusive across the entire supply chain. It targets organizations working on systemic food-system change that benefits all actors from producers to consumers.
Fashion: Programme supporting systemic change in the fashion industry to transition to sustainable and equitable practices
••••• Foundation
This grant programme funds systemic change initiatives in the fashion industry to transition toward sustainable and equitable practices. It targets organizations working on supply-chain transformation, labor equity, and environmental impact reduction across textiles and apparel.
Built Environment
••••• Foundation
This programme funds initiatives that transform the built environment sector toward sustainability, equity, and inclusion through green economy practices. It supports organizations working on decarbonization, circular practices, and fair transitions in construction, real estate, and urban development.
CC+ Pillar 1 – Promoting Competitiveness, Climate Action, and Inclusiveness
••••• organisation
This grant supports Caribbean businesses to enhance competitiveness, adopt climate-smart practices, and build inclusive operations through capacity-building in clusters, value chains, and technology extension. It targets private-sector enterprises and entrepreneurship ecosystems across the Caribbean region.
Planet Goal - Boosting innovation
••••• organisation
Planet Goal supports innovation projects that advance environmental and sustainable development goals, with a focus on environmental sustainability and innovation. The grant is open to organizations developing solutions aligned with UN sustainable development objectives.
Young Africa: Promoting youth employment in the green economy in Mozambique
••••• Foundation
This grant promotes youth employment opportunities in Mozambique's green economy sector. It targets young people seeking careers in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and related climate-positive industries.
Inclusive Collection
••••• organisation
This grant funds inclusive plastic collection systems that reduce pollution while improving livelihoods for informal waste pickers. It targets circular-economy and waste-reduction interventions with a focus on environmental justice and worker dignity in the Global South.
Reusable Systems & Climate Protection
••••• Foundation
This grant supports initiatives and projects focused on sustainable environmental protection, with emphasis on reusable systems and climate protection. It is open to organizations working on circular economy and climate mitigation through sustainable practices.
Great Nigeria Cleanup Waste Management & Recycling Project
••••• Foundation
This grant funds a national waste management and recycling initiative in Nigeria aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and circular economy practices. It is open to organizations working on waste reduction, recycling infrastructure, and environmental management.
Sustainability: Investments in sustainability-focused projects across the Middle East and North Africa region
••••• Foundation
This grant funds sustainability-focused initiatives across the Middle East and North Africa region, aligned with the funder's responsible investment mandate. Eligible applicants can pursue environmental and sustainability projects in the MENA region, though specific sectoral priorities and application procedures are not detailed in the listing.
A Swiss regional circular-economy programme launched through a public-private partnership between a local government and a major foundation
••••• Foundation
BaselCircular supports Basel-based companies in transitioning to circular business models through a public-private partnership between the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the funder. The grant funds businesses implementing circular economy practices and waste-reduction strategies.
Just Environmental Transition and Social Inclusion (France)
••••• Foundation
This grant from the funder supports projects in France advancing just environmental transition and social inclusion, with multi-year funding available for charities addressing local needs. It targets organizations working at the intersection of environmental sustainability and equitable social outcomes.
Research & Innovation
••••• Foundation
This grant funds research and innovation projects addressing global water challenges and supporting circular economy transitions in industrial production, with a primary geographic focus on Denmark. Eligible applicants include research institutions, companies, and organizations working on water sustainability and circular industrial systems.
beVisioneers: The Fellowship
••••• organisation
A global fellowship programme for innovators aged 16–28 that provides training, mentorship, and resources to develop and launch planet-positive projects across sustainability sectors. The programme has supported 1,228 projects and trained/reached 1.2 million people.