The Tadamon Accelerator for Food Security with a focus on community-based organizations, tech-driven CSOs, and social enterprises addresses growing food insecurity due to climate change through innovative and impactful solutions. Tadamon invites businesses operating in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, the State of Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, or Yemen to join and further develop innovative solutions to create a more secure and resilient future with sustainable food access. The program provides funding of up to US$40 thousand to the best-performing CSOs. The application deadline is 20 January 2025. Food Security Accelerator
agriculture
World Academy of Sciences — Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Brazil
In partnership with the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Brazil’s National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) invites young scientists from developing countries other than Brazil to pursue postdoctoral research in natural sciences at selected Brazilian research institutions for periods of 6-12 months. Subject areas include agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and many others. CNPq will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs such as accommodation, food, and health insurance. The application deadline is 31 January 2025. Link
Tony Elumelu Foundation — Entrepreneurship Program for Africans 2025
The Tony Elumelu Foundation fosters and supports start-up enterprises in Africa. The TEF Entrepreneurship Program provides mentoring, training, forums, seed capital, and alumni support to individuals in Africa proposing new business ideas or early-stage companies in sectors that include agriculture, among others. Participants receive up to US$5 thousand in seed capital. The program is open to citizens and legal residents ages 18 and older in any African country. The next application deadline (English, French, Portuguese) is 28 February 2025. TEF Entrepreneurship Program
NextWorldNow Community Investments — Community Grants 2025
NextWorldNow (NWN) is committed to working with community leaders who are solving difficult social problems. This includes social problems related to water, sanitation, deforestation, smallholder productivity, and food security — among other subject areas. Grants are up to US$10 thousand. To apply, community organizations submit a short “Notification of Interest” to register their intent to submit a formal grant application. NWN will screen the initial requests and forward a full application form to selected community organizations. The deadline to submit a Notification of Interest is 01 March 2025. Link
UNESCO — International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences rewards projects and activities of individuals, institutions, and NGOs for scientific research in the life sciences leading to improving the quality of human life. Projects in life sciences contribute to poverty eradication, improved health, food and water security. Nominations are submitted by governments of UNESCO’s member states, and by NGOs maintaining official relations with UNESCO that are active in the fields covered by the Prize. The Prize amount of US$350 thousand may be equally divided among a maximum of three laureates. The closing date for submissions (English, French) is 31 March 2025. Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
Roddenberry Foundation — Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund makes small grants for ideas that are early-stage, unconventional, and innovative. It favors bold ideas that depart from the status quo, and that look at a problem and its solution in a new light. There are no restrictions by theme or place (and may include the subjects of the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Proposals can take the form of cutting-edge products, experimental programs, new services, inventions, etc. Eligibility for funding extends to anyone in the world, individuals and teams. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$15 thousand. The Fund accepts applications on a continuous basis with no deadlines. Find out more
Global Innovation Fund — Social Innovations for the Developing World
The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) welcomes proposals of innovative and cost-effective solutions that address any major development challenge (including energy, water access, agriculture and fisheries) in any country or in multiple countries of the developing world. The program is open to teams and coalitions from social enterprises, for-profit companies, NGOs, government agencies, international organizations, and researchers anywhere in the world. GIF offers grants, loans, and equity investments ranging from US$230 thousand to US$15 million. Applicants should propose the level and type of funding that is appropriate for their innovation, based on the stage of development. GIF accepts applications on a continuous basis. Information
Hult Prize Foundation — Hult Prize Challenge
The Hult Prize is a start-up accelerator for social entrepreneurship which brings together college and university students to solve the world’s most pressing issues. In 2025, participants can pitch any idea for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Hult Prize runs regional competitions around the world, campus events, a national competition, and online for the chance to join the Global Accelerator Program. The winning team will be awarded US$1 million in seed capital. Hult Prize
Marc and Nora Van Montagu Fund — Fellowship Program for Women Researchers in Africa
The Open Doors Fellowship Program (ODFP) targets post-doctoral and mid-career women researchers conducting agricultural research in Africa. Fellows receive financial incentives to enhance their scientific visibility and a research stay in Belgium. Applicants’ research fields must be plant breeding, agrobiotechnology, molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, chemical ecology, plant & soil health, livestock or aquaculture. There are no age limits. The application deadline is 10 January 2025. Open Doors Fellowship Program
Society of Chemical Industry — Sustainability Award
The Society of Chemical Industry presents the Sustainability Award in recognition of science innovation in industry which has led to significant, measurable improvements in environmental sustainability in product/process development or of business/operational processes. The award is open to an individual or team working in a company of any size or country. Winners will receive a framed certificate and a trophy. The deadline for submission is 10 January 2025. SCI Sustainability Award