The UK-China Joint Research and Innovation Partnership Fund is a sponsorship opportunity for UK and Chinese PhD students and their supervisors to spend three to twelve months (for PhD students) and up to three months (for supervisors) at higher education institutions in China or the UK. The focus is on research areas that include food and water security, environmental technologies, and energy — among others. Applicants must find a host institution in their target country, and placements must start between January and December 2018. The application process closes on 20 September 2017. Link
agriculture
Research Councils UK — Interdisciplinary Research Hubs to Address Intractable Challenges
Research Councils UK invites proposals from eligible UK research organisations to establish research hubs addressing currently intractable challenges faced by developing countries. Examples might include but are not restricted to achieving economic growth in an environmentally sustainable way while also ensuring social cohesion and adequate access to safe food, water, and services; development of resilient infrastructure and energy production in the context of climate change; achieving food security in ways that make agriculture, food production, and consumption more environmentally and economically sustainable; and urban development that fosters diversity whilst tackling air pollution and other environmental hazards. The intention to submit must be completed by 29 September 2017. Link
Government of Czech Republic — University Scholarships for Applicants from Developing Countries
The Czech Republic provides scholarships to support nationals from developing countries at public institutions of higher education in the Czech Republic. The fields of study include ecology, wildlife management, natural resources, forestry, and tropical agriculture (among others). Applications need to be submitted before 30 September of each year. Link
Israeli Agency for International Development Cooperation — Professional Courses in Israel 2017
MASHAV funds professional courses organized and hosted by Israeli institutions in subject areas that include agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, education, and social development. The remainder of the 2017 calendar in English-language courses includes one on water management and modern irrigation (October-November 2017), with an application deadline on 18 August 2017; meteorological warnings (November 2017), with an application deadline on 25 August 2017; and agriculture and environment in a changing climate (November-December 2017), with an application deadline on 01 October 2017. MASHOV offers additional courses in Spanish, French, and Russian. Applications are submitted through Israel’s diplomatic missions. For most courses, MASHAV covers course fees, accommodation, medical insurance, and other expenses in Israel (but not international airfare). Link
European Commission — Promoting Investment in Kenya Agribusiness
The EC calls for proposals to identify an institution that will manage a fund to integrate smallholder farmers and pastoralists within their value chains by blending grants and commercial loans to promote agribusiness in Kenya. Eligibility for funding extends to NGOs, public sector operators, local authorities, and international (inter-governmental) organisations based in the EU and ACP countries (including Kenya). Reference EuropeAid/154913/DD/ACT/KE. The deadline for concept notes is 05 September 2017. Link
UK Economic and Social Research Council — Sustainable Tropical Agriculture in Colombia
The UK’s ESRC is partnering with other UK research councils and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) to launch a a new UK-Colombia programme in sustainable tropical agriculture. The focus is on pulses and tropical forages. Proposals for the pump-priming phase of this call will be developed at a scoping workshop to be held at CIAT headquarters in Cali, Colombia (October-November 2017). Participation in the workshop is mandatory for leading an application. The deadline for expressions of interest to participate in the workshop is 06 September 2017. Link
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Geodata for Agriculture and Water 2017-2018
The Geodata for Agriculture and Water (G4AW) Facility uses satellite-based information, agricultural inputs, advice, and/or financial services to aid food producers to sustain and increase their production and livelihoods. G4AW focuses on achieving more efficient use of agricultural water, particularly in irrigated areas and water basins. The G4AW partner countries are Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The program invites applications from partnerships of Dutch organizations working with organizations in the G4AW countries, both private and public. Grants will range from €500 thousand to €3 million for projects up to three years. Each partnership must contribute to project costs. The deadline for applications is 14 September 2017. Link
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 11 August 2017. Link
European Commission — Improved Agriculture in the Gambia
The EC invites proposals to strengthen Gambia’s smallholder agriculture as a strategy for poverty reduction. Grants will be made in three lots (focus areas): agro-ecology and ecological restoration; market access and value chains in agriculture; and access to quality food. Eligibility for funding extends to nonprofit organizations in the EU and The Gambia. Grants will range from €250 thousand to €750 thousand, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/156210/DD/ACT/GM. The deadline for applications is 04 October 2017. Link
European Commission — Agriculture and Climate in Mauritius
The EC calls for proposals to increase the capacity of vulnerable non-sugar smallholders and other key stakeholders towards developing and sustaining climate-smart agriculture in Mauritius. Eligibility for funding extends to nonprofit organizations in the EU and Mauritius. Grants will range from €300 thousand to €1 million, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/155919/DD/ACT/MU. The application deadline is 06 October 2017. Link