About this opportunity
The Exploration Co-Lab is Unearthodox's alternative incubator, built for what the organisation calls edge-walkers: innovators whose work does not fit neatly into conventional categories. Instead of treating visible symptoms, the programme works with people examining the systems, assumptions, institutions and relationships behind environmental and social problems, from reimagining the human relationship with the natural world to questioning anthropocentric assumptions and the effects of coloniality.
Each selected initiative receives a grant of CHF 10,000 to move its work forward, whether that means further research, refining a pilot, engaging communities, developing tools, building partnerships or strengthening a model. Alongside the cash there is a shared pool of non-financial support estimated at up to CHF 60,000 in value, tailored to the cohort and covering peer learning, individual coaching, expert guidance, systems mapping, futures thinking, strategic positioning and regenerative approaches to defining and measuring success. Your work may also be showcased through Unearthodox's communication channels.
The fit question matters more than the pitch. Your initiative should be early stage and at the intersection of environmental and societal change, and it must be beyond the basic idea stage, with some groundwork such as initial research, early testing, a pilot, community engagement or a developing model. A concept that exists only on paper, with no research, testing or engagement behind it, may not be suitable. The programme is not intended for projects that reinforce extractive or dominant systems, prioritise profit, speed or growth above purpose, address only surface-level symptoms, treat communities as passive recipients or focus exclusively on short-term outcomes.
The 2027 cohort runs its 10 month incubation from 1 March to 31 December 2027, primarily online and in English, with regular group calls scheduled within UTC minus 6 to UTC plus 6. Applications are open from 15 September to 16 November 2026, with shortlisting from 17 November to 11 December 2026, conversations between 14 and 18 December 2026, final selection with external jurors from 5 January to 4 February 2027 and notification and onboarding from 5 to 28 February 2027. As a Swiss-founded organisation, Unearthodox aims to include at least one Swiss-based initiative in each cohort, selected on the strength of its work alongside everyone else.
What you receive
- A CHF 10,000 grant to help move your initiative forward
- A 10 month incubation journey from 1 March to 31 December 2027 in an online cohort environment
- Access to a shared pool of tailored non-financial support estimated at up to CHF 60,000 in value
- Peer learning and shared exploration with an interdisciplinary cohort
- Individualised coaching and expert guidance
- Systems mapping and futures thinking support
- Strategic positioning for your initiative
- Regenerative approaches to defining and measuring success
- Visibility and amplification through Unearthodox's communication channels, helping you become more visible, findable and fundable
- A global community oriented to changemaker wellbeing, connection and collective transformation
Who can apply
- An early stage initiative at the intersection of environmental and societal change
- Work that is beyond the basic idea stage, with some existing groundwork such as initial research, early testing, a pilot project, community engagement, an emerging intervention, a developing model or early evidence of a problem-solution relationship
- A commitment to reimagining systems for a just, vibrant and regenerative future
- Willingness to participate in cohort activities, peer learning and collective exploration
- Able to take part in online group calls scheduled within the UTC minus 6 to UTC plus 6 time range, since all activities are conducted in English
- Open to applicants of any age, gender identity, geographic location, cultural background, professional background and lived experience, with underrepresented voices from the global majority and historically excluded communities welcomed
- Swiss-based initiatives are welcome, as Unearthodox aims to include at least one Swiss-based initiative in each annual cohort, selected on the strength and relevance of the work
Who should not apply
- A concept that exists only on paper, without any research, testing, engagement or practical development, may not be suitable for this call
- Projects that reinforce extractive or dominant systems
- Projects that prioritise profit, speed or growth above purpose
- Work that addresses only surface-level symptoms rather than deeper conditions
- Initiatives that seek individual advantage without genuine collective learning, or that show no meaningful interest in allyship
- Projects focused exclusively on short-term outcomes
- Work that treats communities as passive recipients rather than active participants
Documents to prepare
- Completed online application form on the YouNoodle page for the Edges of Possibility open call
- A clear explanation of the problem your initiative addresses and the deeper conditions behind it
- Evidence that your initiative is beyond the idea stage, such as initial research, early testing, a pilot, community engagement or a developing model
- An explanation of your approach to systems change and how you work with communities
- An outline of what you need to develop and how the CHF 10,000 grant will be used
- The applicant information document for the open call, which includes an application form preview, eligibility information, evaluation criteria, frequently asked questions, terms and conditions and guidance from previous applications
How to apply
- Read about the programme on the official page at https://unearthodox.org/exploration-co-lab/ and check that your initiative is beyond the idea stage
- Review the applicant information document for the Edges of Possibility open call, which includes an application form preview, eligibility details, evaluation criteria, FAQs and terms and conditions
- Open the application page at https://apply.younoodle.com/round/edges_of_possibility_2027 and register or sign in to the platform
- Describe the problem clearly, including the deeper systems, assumptions or relationships your work engages with
- Show your evidence of development so far, such as research, a pilot, community engagement or an emerging model
- Explain how you would use the CHF 10,000 grant in relation to the current stage and needs of your initiative
- Set out how you will participate in collective learning, peer support and cohort activities within the UTC minus 6 to UTC plus 6 call window
- Submit through the application page at https://apply.younoodle.com/round/edges_of_possibility_2027 before 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT plus 1
- Remain available for the applicant conversations scheduled between 14 and 18 December 2026
Selection process
- Applications are assessed by the programme team against the stated criteria, with shortlisting and evaluation running from 17 November to 11 December 2026
- Applicant conversations and interviews take place between 14 and 18 December 2026
- Final selection is made with external jurors between 5 January and 4 February 2027
- Participant notification and onboarding run from 5 to 28 February 2027, with the incubation programme beginning on 1 March 2027
- Reviewers look for work that addresses the deeper relationship between nature and society and demonstrates a commitment to justice, regeneration and systemic transformation
- Swiss-based initiatives are considered on the strength and relevance of their work alongside other applicants, as part of Unearthodox's aim to include at least one Swiss-based initiative each year
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
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- CGIAR++ PhD Scholarship 2026 for Doctoral Research in Germany
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Questions applicants ask
What does the programme fund?
Each selected initiative receives a CHF 10,000 grant, plus access to a shared pool of tailored non-financial support estimated at up to CHF 60,000 in value. The non-financial support is not paid as a cash award.
When does the programme run?
The 10 month incubation journey runs from 1 March to 31 December 2027, primarily online and in English.
How far developed does my initiative need to be?
It must be beyond the basic idea stage. Some groundwork should already exist, such as initial research, early testing, a pilot project, community engagement or a developing model. A concept that exists only on paper may not be suitable.
Who can apply?
The call is open to all who share a commitment to reimagining systems for a just, vibrant and regenerative future. It is not restricted by sector, discipline, nationality, age or gender, and underrepresented voices from the global majority and historically excluded communities are particularly welcome.
Which time zones work best?
Regular online group calls are scheduled within UTC minus 6 to UTC plus 6. If you are outside that range you may still apply, but you should assess whether you can participate effectively in the scheduled activities.
What are the key dates?
Applications open on 15 September 2026 and close on 16 November 2026. Shortlisting runs from 17 November to 11 December 2026, interviews from 14 to 18 December 2026, final selection with external jurors from 5 January to 4 February 2027, and notification and onboarding from 5 to 28 February 2027.
Where do I apply?
Through the official application page at https://apply.younoodle.com/round/edges_of_possibility_2027, after reviewing the programme details at https://unearthodox.org/exploration-co-lab/.
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