The Agri-Tech Catalyst aims to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in developing countries. Projects should focus in any of three categories: early-stage technical feasibility; industrial research; or late-stage experimental development. Project leaders must be UK businesses (or UK research organizations in the case of early-stage technical feasibility). Projects should include at least one consortium member from an eligible developing country. The amount of project co-funding available through DFID varies by category and business size. The deadlines for registration are 26 October 2016 for industrial research, and 25 January 2017 for the other two categories. Link
Jan Laarman
World Bank — Big Data Innovation Challenge
The World Bank is interested in how “big data” can be used to address development questions, including how climate change affects food security and forestry and watersheds. Solutions may include but are not limited to analytical methodologies, APIs, algorithms, software applications, tools, and new data set generation. Technologies may include artificial intelligence, crowd-sourcing applications, data science, dynamic visualizations, machine learning, and predictive analytics. The Challenge will award US$10 thousand to the winner in each of the following two categories: (i) food security or nutrition, and (ii) forestry or watersheds. Submissions are invited from individuals, students, entrepreneurs, start-ups, university labs, private companies, nonprofits, and public sector agencies legally established in member countries of the World Bank Group. The closing date for submissions is 09 November 2016. Link
Newton Fund — Agri-Food Innovation in Turkey
The Newton Fund promotes partnerships in science and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of 16 partner countries, including Turkey. The current call for proposals invites UK companies in partnership with Turkish companies to address three challenges: (i) using waste products and residues from Turkey’s agri-food industry to reduce environmental impact and add value; (ii) improving the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers in Turkey; and (iii) improving animal and plant breeding in Turkey. The amount of available co-funding varies with business size. The deadline for registration is 16 November 2016. Link
Blue Earth Alliance — Photography Projects
Blue Earth sponsors photography projects that educate the public about threatened cultures, endangered environments, and other social concerns. Blue Earth provides assistance with fund raising, publishing, and publicity. However, it does not make direct grants to sponsored projects. The deadlines for proposals are 20 January and 20 July of each year. Link
Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa — Grants for Conservation and Sustainable Development 2017
The Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa (MCFEA) makes grants for environmental conservation, environmental education and research, and the relief of poverty. A special priority is projects that combine conservation with the economic and social development of local communities. Grants are to organizations for one year. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
World Health Organization — Research on Disease and Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region
WHO invites proposals to undertake trans-disciplinary research on health and environment that could lead to community strategies for preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitos, flies, snails, etc. Proposals are invited from eligible countries in WHO’s South East Asia and Western Pacific regions. The aim is to explore ecosystem-based tools and approaches to address the challenge of vector-borne diseases, especially in areas with inadequate health infrastructure and changing environmental conditions (climate change). The program will fund two projects for two years, with a maximum annual budget of $120 thousand per project. The deadline for proposals is 15 October 2016. Link
Conservation Agriculture Network in South-East Asia — Grants for Conservation Agriculture
The CANSEA scientific platform is a network of research partners keen to implement agro-ecology and conservation agriculture in Southeast Asia. CANSEA announces its second call for proposals to promote and strengthen conservation agriculture in the four CANSEA member countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Grants are up to US$30 thousand. CANSEA actively encourages co-funding. All recognized institutions in the CANSEA member countries are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting applications is 22 October 2016. Link
Michigan State University — Graduate Studies for Rwandans in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
With funding from the U.S. government, the Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program is implemented by Michigan State University. Rwanda is one of eleven countries for scholarship support under the BHEARD program. The scholarships will support master’s or PhD studies for Rwandans at regional universities in Africa, beginning August 2017 or January 2018. Applications are invited from the University of Rwanda (College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine), and from Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture. Course work will be undertaken at a regional university, and the student’s research project will be conducted in Rwanda. The application deadline is 30 October 2016. Link
OpenIDEO — Economic Opportunities for Youth in East Africa
OpenIDEO convenes a global community to collaboratively create solutions addressing the world’s biggest challenges. Among these challenges is the Youth Empowerment Challenge for East Africa, which aims to empower young people in East Africa to participate in the economy. OpenIDEO invites new ideas that motivate and inspire youth; build skills; support their transition into financial stability; include the private sector; or harness the potential for the participation of young people in agriculture. The Challenge is looking for ideas that answer its challenge question and that are targeted at youth between ages 18-35 in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. At least five winners of this challenge will receive a grant of between US$50 thousand and US$150 thousand, plus training and design support from IDEO. The challenge is open to all creative thinkers worldwide, and in any discipline. The deadline for submissions in the ideas phase is 31 October 2016. Link
European Commission — Capacıty Building in the Fıeld of Clımate Change in Turkey
The EC and the Government of Turkey will co-fund a program to increase public understanding and enhance capacity of Turkish organizations on actions to mitigation and adapt to climate change. One lot of grants is for NGOs in partnerships with local governments and municipalities (maximum grant is €50 thousand, varying with cost shares), while the other lot is for metropolitan municipalities (maximum grant is €200 thousand, varying with cost shares). The deadline for concept notes is 14 November 2016. Reference EuropeAid/138406/ID/ACT/TR. Link