SEED supports small-scale eco-enterprises in the developing world which integrate social and environmental benefits into their business models. Applicants should be able to explain how the enterprise will be financially viable in the long term and be in the set-up phase and in the early stages of implementation. The eligible countries are Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana. Each award recipient is granted capacity building and networking opportunities. The call for applications is open until 22 March 2021. More
Africa
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Masters Scholarships
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, provides Masters Scholarships to citizens of any African country for studies at Egerton University in Kenya and Gulu University in Uganda. The scholarships are intended for disadvantaged, marginalized communities and those coming from conflict and post conflict areas. For the academic year 2021/2022, 30 Scholarships will be made available, of which 50% will be for Kenya and Uganda nationals. About 50% of the scholarships will be awarded to female applicants. The deadline to apply is 31 March 2021. MCF@RUFORUM Scholarship
Lemelson Foundation — International Entrepreneurship
The Lemelson Foundation supports programs to empower local inventors and entrepreneurs in India and East Africa to address social and economic challenges to improve the lives of the poor. Supported solutions include access to clean water and sanitation, agricultural productivity, and access to clean and affordable energy. The Foundation funds very few unsolicited applications. However, it accepts short concept notes on a rolling basis. Learn more about International Entrepreneurship
Ford Foundation — Community Rights over Natural Resources
In its theme Equitable Development, the Ford Foundation makes grants to challenge inequality. The sub-theme “Natural Resources and Climate Change” seeks to ensure that indigenous and other communities have secure access to and control over natural resources, and can benefit from them fully. The Foundation’s regional offices represent most of the developing world. The Foundation accepts project ideas at any time. Link
LEAP-RE — Joint Europe-Africa Call on Renewable Energy
The Long-term Europe-Africa Partnership on Renewable Energy (LEAP-RE) program aims to increase the use of renewable energy via research, demonstration, and technology transfer projects in both continents. LEAP-RE funds joint basic research, applied research and experimental development projects with a duration of 12-36 months. The call for proposals is aimed at actors in the renewable energy value chain (including universities, research institutes, companies, private sector, NGOs and public authorities). The maximum funding for each project is €1 million. Pre-proposals must be submitted no later than 01 April 2021. Link
European Commission — Food and Nutritional Security Support to Chad
The European Commission (EC) seeks to promote the socio-economic development of Chad through a reduction in malnutrition. The call aims to increase access to irrigated land and the sustainable optimization of the use of water resources, and promotes the diversification of food systems and agricultural production to support rural producers and families. Funding of up to €3 million is available, depending on target region and focus area. Projects need to have a duration of between 46 and 48 months. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations. The deadline for submitting applications is 15 April 2021. Know more
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit — Investing for Employment in Côte d’Ivoire
Investing for Employment (IFE) supports the creation of decent employment opportunities in Africa by offering co-financing grants for new investment projects with a high job creation impact. This opportunity is suitable for companies in the agriculture, fisheries or energy sectors. The IFE provides grants between €1 million and €10 million. Entities and Consortia registered in Côte d’Ivoire are eligible to apply. Concept notes have to be submitted by 22 January 2021. Click here for details
UK Department for International Development — Funding for Small Charities
The Small Charities Challenge Fund (SCCF) supports UK-based grassroots organizations to help priority countries to enhance their capacity and efforts to help the poor, vulnerable and most marginalized. UK Aid Direct operates in the lowest 50 countries in the Human Development Index and in countries considered to be of high or moderate fragility. Thematic areas include agriculture, climate change, environment, water resources and others. Grants of up to £50 thousand will be available for projects of up to 2 years. Applications are reviewed on a 6-monthly basis. The next review of project grant proposals is 25 March 2021. Link
U.S. National Science Foundation — Dimensions of Biodiversity 2021
The goal of Dimensions of Biodiversity is to promote novel and integrated approaches to understand the evolutionary and ecological significance of biodiversity. The program currently focuses on the integration of genetic, taxonomic, and functional dimensions of biodiversity. It includes international partnerships with research organizations in Brazil, China, and South Africa. The deadline for proposals is 26 March 2021. Link to Dimensions of Biodiversity
MarTERA — Transnational Research and Innovation Projects
MarTERA provides funding to collaborative research and innovation projects. The call identifies the following priority areas: (1) environmentally friendly maritime technologies; (2) innovative concepts for ships and offshore structures; (3) automation, sensors, monitoring and observations; (4) advanced manufacturing and production, (5) safety and security. Applicants from Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa, and Turkey are eligible for funding. The transnational call has a budget of €8.5 million. The deadline for the submission of pre-proposals is 26 March 2021. Find more information