The Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Competition will recognize energy efficient and affordable solar water pumps intended for smallholder farmers or individual household use that are appropriate for use with off-grid energy systems. No financial incentives are available for this round. However, winners and finalists will be featured in the 2019 Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Buyer’s Guide and be considered for investment by the Efficiency for Access Coalition Investor Network. The competition is open to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 18 January 2020. Link to the Solar Water Pump Competition
Africa
2SCALE — Digital Innovation for Climate Smart Agriculture
2SCALE invites entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs with digital innovations to apply to the innovation challenge to boost climate smart agriculture. Innovation should promote food and nutrition security, climate-smart (eco-efficient) agriculture, and the inclusion of women and youth. Furthermore, the innovation should primarily focus on smallholder farmers. Projects have to be implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, or Niger. The winners will receive scaling opportunities, technical support, and research support. The application has to be submitted by 15 November 2019. More
United States Agency for International Development — Power Africa: Young Leaders in the Energy Sector
Power Africa accepts applications from young leaders in the energy sector to participate in a four-week career development training workshop (February/March 2020). Successful applicants will be provided round-trip transportation, lodging, meals, and course materials. Young leaders (between 18-35 years) from Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe with experience in the energy sector are eligible to apply. The closing date for applications is 15 November 2019. Find details
United States Agency for International Development — Household Solar Workforce Development Africa
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) invite applications for the Household Solar Workforce Development Challenge. Projects should focus on the development of off-grid solar home systems for households and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call is open to for-profit, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and academic institutions with demonstrated capabilities and programs in energy workforce development. The selected organizations will receive awards ranging from US$100 thousand to US$350 thousand for project implementation over the course of one year. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2019. Find the challenge
French Government — Access to Energy in Africa
The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) and the French Development Agency (AFD) seek French companies or NGOs with innovations for access to energy for people not connected to energy networks. The involvement of local African actors (local companies, NGOs, local authorities) is desirable. Environmental criteria of each project (use of renewable energies, environmental management of water; impact on biodiversity, climate change, etc.) are an important evaluation factor. Funding of €250 thousand per project is available for up to 12 projects. The application deadline is 16 December 2019. Link
Wild Planet Trust — African Freshwater Habitats
The Wild Planet Trust awards grants to individuals undertaking nature conservation projects. Projects may involve practical habitat or species management, research, training, education, awareness raising or campaigning. The current round of applications seeks conservation projects with focus on African freshwater habitats. The Trust awards grants to both UK and overseas projects. Awards typically range from £500 to £1,500. The application deadline is 31 March 2020. Details
African Union — Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2019
The African Union (AU) honors outstanding African scientists through the Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence. The awards program is implemented at national level for young researchers; regional level for women scientists; and continental level open to all scientists. The current announcement calls for submissions at the African continental level to recognize outstanding science, for which it awards a prize of US$100 thousand. The closing date for submissions is 10 November 2019. Find the 2019 Edition
French Agency for Development — Digital Project for Sustainable Cities in Africa
The French Agency for Development (AFD) Digital Challenge seeks digital solutions for sustainable cities, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG). Solutions should focus on the basic needs of the urban population (e.g., access to water), foster local economic development (e.g., urban agri-food sector), or support the most vulnerable (e.g., alert systems in the context of an environmental disaster). The call is open to startups, associations, and research centers in Africa. The winner will receive €20 thousand. The deadline for application is 18 November 2019. More about the AFD Digital Challenge
NYU Wagner — African Women’s Public Service Fellowship
The African Women’s Public Service Fellowship provides full tuition, fees, housing, travel to and from the United States, and a small stipend to cover books and miscellaneous expenses to African degree-seeking female students. Fellows will return to their home countries at the conclusion of the program with the goal of assuming a leadership position to meaningfully contribute to the challenges currently confronting Africa. Eligibility extends to female applicants from any African country. Applications are due by 02 December 2019. Details
United States Agency for International Development — School Water Integrated Solutions in Senegal
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks community-based solutions that will increase access to water in schools. USAID intends to provide up to US$2 million, to be allocated over a three-year period. Eligibility extends to local non-governmental, non-profit organizations. The closing date for applications is 09 December 2019. Find the call