Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) announces a new Research Ideas Competition to promote health, sustainability and equity in low- and middle-income countries through food system change. The goal is to inspire novel research ideas that aim to strengthen policy interventions, population health, environmental sustainability and/or health, gender and social equity. IDRC will select 10 applications who will receive C$10 thousand each. The call is open to students who are enrolled at a doctoral or post-doctoral program at a recognized university in Canada or a low- and middle-income country. The deadline for applications is 11 December 2020. Research Ideas Competition
agriculture
Congressional Hunger Center — Leland Hunger Fellows
The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program is a two-year international fellowship to develop leaders committed to finding lasting solutions to hunger and poverty. Leland Fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. The fellowship provides the financial support for one year of international service, followed by another year of policy work. The financial package is provided based on cost of living data for each placement location. Fellows are placed with international and local NGOs, U.S. government agencies, multilateral organizations, and private sector entities. Some fellows are placed abroad to work on projects in developing countries. The host organizations are responsible for providing meaningful work and supervision to the fellow. Applications will be accepted until 11 January 2021. Become a Leland Fellow
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — Smart Farming Innovations for Small-Scale Producers
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks smart farming solutions that leverage digital technology innovations that have the potential to drive positive impact for small-scale producer entrepreneurs. There are two grant types – Seed Grants (up to US$250 thousand) and Scale-Up Grants (up to US$1.5 million) – each with its own requirements detailed in the announcement. The Foundation will prioritize applicants who partner with organizations interested in smart farming in low- and middle-income countries. Applicants should be part of a consortium consisting of several types of organizations, such as enterprise technology platforms, enterprise agriculture, ag-tech startups, research organizations, national and international NGOs and farmer-based organizations, government and international organizations. The application deadline is 25 February 2021. Details here
Columbia Center on Sustainable Development — Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture
Columbia University invites applications for a training course on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture. Due to the current global situation, the 2021 training program will be held virtually, not in-person. The training will be made freely available to accepted participants from non-profit organizations and government officials from low- and middle-income countries. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until 31 March 2021. About the training program
United Nations Development Program — Arab States Youth Futures Fellowship
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) invites youth from the Arab States region to submit creative solutions on the future of climate change and/or civic engagement. Ideas can be submitted through poetry, an article, a story, a monologue, a piece of art, videos, objects from the future (that exist in 2030), dance, music, or any medium of the participant’s choosing. Up to 30 young people will be selected to take part in the Youth Futures Fellowship, a five-week capacity building opportunity. Participants must be between 19 and 20 years old and be from a country in the Arab States region. The deadline for submissions is 25 October 2020. Details
University of Waterloo — Online Workshop: Green Entrepreneurship
The University of Waterloo, in partnership with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the EcoInnovation Network, invites students and aspiring entrepreneurs to register in a six-part series of free online workshops on green entrepreneurship. The workshop targets researchers, youth, aspiring environmental and social entrepreneurs from across North America (including Mexico). The workshop provides practical knowledge and resources for those interested in launching green startups. Sessions start on 27 October 2020 with simultaneous translation in three languages (English, French and Spanish). Link to more information
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
SVG Ventures — THRIVE Africa Challenge
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE Africa Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the African agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp (Summer 2021) and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agrifood companies in Africa. The application deadline is 20 November 2020. Link to THRIVE Africa
MasterCard Foundation — Scholarships for Africans at the University of British Columbia 2021/22
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program funds citizens and residents of Sub-Saharan Africa for graduate studies at the University of British Columbia, USA. The fields of study at UBC include Sustainable Forest Management; Environmental Management; Food Science; Land and Water Systems; and many others. Each Faculty has different deadlines, please check carefully. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application closes 11 December 2020. About the scholarship
King Baudouin Foundation — Subsidies in Support of Sustainable Development
The Business Partnership Facility awards subsidies to support and develop private sector involvement in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. The project must contribute to achieving at least one clearly identified SDG. Funding of up to €200 thousand is available. Partnerships must comprise actors from the private sector, civil society, academia and/or the public sector, with at least one organization from the for-profit private sector. The application deadline is 11 February 2021. Find details here