USAID announces funding of a 5-year project through the program Feed the Future to improve diets among the Senegalese population, particularly young children and women of reproductive age in selected zones of the country. Efforts may include expansion of nutrient-dense and bio-fortified crops such as orange-fleshed sweet potato, high-protein maize, iron-rich millet, moringa, mung bean, Sahel apple, and others — in addition to project activities that will improve food governance and increase women’s empowerment on matters of food selection. Eligibility for funding is unrestricted. Funding Opportunity RFA-685-17-000007. The closing date for applications is 24 July 2017. Link
Jan Laarman
National Geographic — Chasing Genius
The Chasing Genius Challenge invites ideas from around the world to make the planet more sustainable; to improve global health; and to feed nine billion people by mid-century. Each idea should be submitted as a one-minute video. The submitted ideas will be evaluated according to criteria of innovation, creativity, viability, and inspiration. The winner in each of the three categories will be awarded US$25 thousand, in addition to a fourth winner chosen on the basis of popular vote. The submission period is 01 June through 31 July 2017. Link
French Institute for Development Research — GUYAMAZON, 4th Call for Proposals
France’s Institute for Development Research (IRD) collaborates with other French institutions and three Brazilian states to sponsor GUYAMAZON for collaborative French-Brazilian research in the Amazon region. Research themes include biodiversity, terrestrial and forest ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, climate and health, agro-ecology and subsistence farming, renewable energy, and social sciences. Projects link researchers in France (especially the department of French Guyana) and the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Amapá, and Maranhão. The application deadline is 31 August 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Management of Indigenous Lands in Brazil
USAID announces funding to support territorial and environmental management of indigenous lands in selected areas of Maranhao, Rondonia, and Roraima in Brazil’s Amazon region. The program aims to enhance biodiversity conservation, and to strengthen Brazil’s national policy for land and environmental management on indigenous lands. USAID welcomes applications from many different types of organizations, U.S. and non-U.S., public and private, either in consortia or individually. USAID aims to make up to four awards. Funding Opportunity APS-512-17-000002. The application deadline is 17 November 2017. Link
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Climate Co-Lab
The Climate Co-Lab aims to gather and apply collective intelligence from around the world to address global climate change. The Co-Lab invites the best ideas to prevent and adapt to climate change. Some contests pose social and political questions, while others focus on issues in science and technology. The Climate Co-Lab posts new contests on a continuing basis. The contest winners each year compete for a prize of US$10 thousand. Link
British Council — International Research Workshops
The British Council supports research workshops under the programs Researcher Links and the Newton Fund to assist early-career researchers from the UK and partner countries to interact and explore research collaborations. Current opportunities that have one or more environmental themes include: (1) communications technologies for disaster management, UK and Turkey, with application deadline on 26 May 2017; (2) recent advances in energy conservation for buildings in the UK and China, with application deadline on 31 May 2017; (3) detection and prevention of biological invasions, UK and China, with application deadline on 31 May 2017; (4) off-shore wind and wave energy, UK and Turkey, with application deadline on 30 June 2017; and (4) green port development, UK and China, with application deadline on 15 July 2017. The British Council publishes the dates, locations, eligibility criteria, and other supporting information for each workshop. Link
ASEAN Peace Project — Young Peace Builders for Climate Action
The Young Peace Builders for Climate Action is seeking thirty youth leaders from across Southeast Asia to participate in an accelerator workshop to be held in July (Quezon City, Philippines) on reducing disaster risks, adapting to climate change, and promoting peace building in conflict areas of the ASEAN countries. Eligibility extends to persons ages 18 to 25 living in or working with conflict-affected and/or disaster-prone areas in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The application deadline is 26 May 2017. Link
APEC Climate Center — Training Program 2017
The APEC Climate Center (APCC) is hosting a training program on user-oriented statistical downscaling of climate information in agriculture and water resources. The one-week training program in August 2017 (Busan, South Korea) aims to provide an introduction to statistical downscaling for climate change scenarios and seasonal prediction, and to guide participants in applying the data for uses in agriculture and water resources. APCC invites scientists from national research institutes in agricultural and/or water-related fields in developing countries, preferably APEC economies, ASEAN nations, or Pacific Island nations. APCC will cover the airfare, accommodation and meals for the participants.The application deadline is 31 May 2017. Link
Best Climate Practices — Ideas to Build Local Resilience to Climate Risks
The Best Climate Practices contest for 2017 focuses on building local resilience to climate disaster risk. The contest is open to individuals, teams, or organizations regardless of nationality, age, or qualifications. The contest winner will be awarded €3 thousand. The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2017. Link
European Commission — Energy Development in Lesotho
The EC invites applications to promote expanded access to rural energy in Lesotho. Activities should focus on commercial opportunities for solar innovations in households; demonstration of mini-grid projects; and support for businesses that offer sustainable energy products and services in rural Lesotho. The lead applicant should be an NGO, private company, research institute, public sector operator, or local authority in Lesotho or an EU member state. International (inter-governmental) organisations are also eligible. Reference EuropeAid/155297/DD/ACT/LS. The deadline for concept notes is 07 June 2017. Link