The Grand Challenge Africa makes seed grants to innovative projects and technologies that achieve food security and nutrition in Africa. The challenge focuses on the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. The call seeks innovative global development and health solutions related to achieving food security and nutrition. The call will fund projects up to US$100 thousand for a maximum of 2 years. Applicants can be colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, for profit and non-profit organizations. The call encourages scientific collaborations between African researchers and other organizations across the continent. The application deadline is 04 December 2020. Find the call
Day: October 29, 2020
International Development Research Centre — Research Ideas Competition
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
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety — Strategic Partnership in Entrepreneurial Investing
Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) seeks organizations willing to enter into a strategic partnership (or commercial relationship) for building and developing investment capability, particularly around entrepreneurial programs, in order to mobilize capital for the most promising climate innovations in their portfolio. EIT Climate-KIC is particularly interested in organizations that have skills and capabilities required to manage investment programs with institutional capital as well as expertise around fundraising. The closure of the submission window is 16 December 2020. Details
African Academy of Sciences — Prize for Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation
The Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and/or Technological Innovation honors African scientists who have made outstanding contributions in scientific discovery or technological innovation. The bi-annual prize will be awarded in each of the following fields: (1) Biotechnology, (2) Energy, (3) Information and Communication Technologies, or (4) Material Sciences. The prize may be awarded to an individual or jointly to two or more persons who will share the cash award of US$5 thousand. The prize is open to all African scientists and technologists. Candidates have to be nominated but self-nominations will also be accepted. The last date for receipt of nominations is 22 December 2020. Details here
The Nature Conservancy — NatureNet Science Fellows 2021
The Nature Conservancy invites applications for the NatureNet Science Fellows program. The program awards 2-year fellowships to promising early-career scientists and engineers who seek to improve and expand their research on climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Fellows will work with a Nature Conservancy mentor and a hosting senior scholar(s) at one of the partner universities. Research stipends range from US$74 thousand (graduate fellowship) to US$118 (PhD fellowship) over two years, plus travel funding and a research budget. The postdoctoral position is expected to run for two consecutive years. The application deadline is 01 January 2021. NatureNet Science Fellows
African Leadership Academy — South African Ideas Festival
The South African Ideas Festival (SAIF) is an entrepreneurial development festival for the young African leaders with ideas to bring meaningful change in their societies. The categories for application are based on the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 15 (Life on Land), and Goal 13 (Climate Action), among others. Applicants must be between the ages of 14-19 years and apply in teams consisting of 3-5 people. Participants can win cash prizes and consulting services with African Leadership Consulting Group. The application deadline is 02 January 2021. Link to SAIF
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