The U.S. Agency for International Development announces funding for a three-year program “Comunidades y Energías Renovables” to encourage a transparent process for renewable energy development in Mexico. The goal is to foster a process for renewable energy development that engages local communities, the Mexican government, civil society, and the private sector. Applications for funding are requested from NGOs in Mexico. Funding Opportunity RFA-523-17-000001. The closing date for applications is 19 April 2017. Link
Jan Laarman
European Commission — Women and Sustainable Energy
The EC calls for proposals to promote women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the sustainable energy sector and value chain, with an emphasis on financial services. The action must take place in multiple countries which are recipients of official development aid, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and possibly in other developing regions. Partnerships among academia, civil society, NGOs, international or local organizations, financial institutions, government, private sector, etc., may bring added value to a comprehensive approach. The amount of funding is from €4 million to €8 million, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/155118/DH/ACT/Multi. The deadline for submitting concept notes is 25 April 2017. Link
Australian Aid and Tata Group — XPrize for Water Abundance
Sponsored by the Tata Group jointly with Australian Aid, the Water Abundance XPRIZE invites teams to revolutionize access to water by creating a device that uses renewable energy to extract a minimum of 2,000 liters of water per day from the atmosphere at a combined operating and capital cost of no more than two cents per liter. Eligibility to compete for the prize extends to teams of scientists, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators from all over the world. The grand prize is US$1.5 million, and the competition will award additional (milestone) prizes of US$250 thousand. The registration deadline is 28 April 2017. Link
Smart Villages — Photo Competition on Sustainable Rural Energy
Smart Villages announces a photo competition on the theme of how energy access changes the life of rural communities around the world. The contest will emphasize the concept of energy “smartness” i.e., how energy is being used in productive, innovative, and even entrepreneurial ways. The competition is open to everyone regardless of nationality, background, age, and experience. The competition offers several cash prizes up to US$2 thousand for the overall winner. Photos must be submitted before 30 April 2017. Link
Waterloo Foundation — WASH Grants
The World Development program at the Waterloo Foundation offers grants in subject areas that include water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The Foundation gives funding priority to UK-based charities, many of whom work in close partnership with NGOs based in the countries in which they operate. Waterloo will also accept applications from organizations in developing countries if they can supply acceptable references in the UK. Grants are usually between 1-3 years for a total of over £50 thousand, although very occasionally the Foundation will provide grants of over £100 thousand per year. The deadlines for the WASH grants are 14 May 2017 (Round 1) and 19 November 2017 (Round 2). Link
World Academy of Sciences — C.N.R. Rao Prize for Scientific Research 2017
The prize is named after TWAS Founding Fellow and former president C.N.R. Rao to honor TWAS Fellows from the developing world. The special focus is scientists in the world’s scientifically lagging and least-developed countries who have made significant contributions to global science. The amount of the prize is US$5 thousand. The closing date is 31 May 2017. Link
UK Natural Environment Research Council — Research on Water Quality, UK and India
The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council, in partnership with the UK’s Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council and India’s Department of Science and Technology, invite proposals on research to improve water quality. The programme aims to provide a better understanding of the sources and fate of different pollutants, and to support the development of management strategies and technologies to reduce pollution levels. Proposals are sought for collaborative projects involving researchers from both the UK and India. The deadline for notifications of intent to submit is 30 March 2017. Link
European Commission — Interreg Mediterannean Program, 2nd Call for Proposals
The Interreg MED Programme calls for modular projects supporting priority axes 1, 2, and 3. These priorities include eco-innovation for sustainable growth; low-carbon strategies and energy efficiency; and protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources. The relevant countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in addition to Mediterranean countries of Western Europe. The announcement includes information to find national contact points, and guidelines for making applications. The deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Climate Change — Training and Networking in Climate Change
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Climate Change will hold a 2-week training and networking session in July 2017 on the science of climate change. The Advanced School will focus on five themes, and it will be led by speakers from several countries. The School will accept about 100 graduate students and early-career scientists from Brazil and other countries. The Advanced School will be conducted in English. A limited number of travel grants is available. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Asian Women Entrepreneurs in Clean Energy
The USAID Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia, the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, and the Asian Development Bank announce a joint call for proposals for women entrepreneurs in clean energy. Selected woman entrepreneurs and organizations supporting the selected entrepreneurs will receive mentoring support from USAID PFAN-Asia with an aim to secure funding to up-scale their operations. The program is open to women entrepreneurs and organizations in the private sector and in public-private partnerships in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link