The Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub seeks to strengthen the capacity of the African scientific community to conduct bioscience research that will improve agricultural products and enhance food security. In support of building science capacity, the BecA-ILRI Hub is partnering with the Rwanda Agriculture Board to hold a training workshop on “Introduction to Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics” in May 2017. Applications are welcomed from qualified individuals at research institutes and universities in Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Dem Rep Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The training course offers several funded places on a competitive basis. The deadline for applications is 17 March 2017. Link
agriculture
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade — NZ Partnerships for International Development Fund, Round 10
The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development Fund is a contestable fund open to New Zealand organizations. It aims to encourage partnerships between New Zealand organizations and in-country partners in the developing world, with emphasis on the Pacific region and Southeast Asia. Priority areas for support include agriculture, fisheries, tourism, energy, and water and sanitation — among others. The Fund encourages multi-activity projects for up to five years. The deadline for concept applications in Round 10 is 31 March 2017, and one week earlier for applicants seeking feedback on their applications. Link
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Doctoral Studies in Agriculture and Food Science for Africans
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) announces PhD scholarships available through the German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) for doctoral studies at three universities in East Africa. They are the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Sciences and Technology (Tanzania); Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya); and Makerere University (Uganda). The relevant doctoral programs are identified in the announcement. Scholarships are available for in-country applicants, as well as for regional (all Sub-Saharan) applicants. The application deadline is 20 February 2017. Link
Belmont Forum and START — Support for Africans in the Sustainable Urbanization Global Initiative
The Belmont Forum and START announce an opportunity for African scientists to participate in the Belmont Forum Collaborative Research Action on “Sustainable Urban Global Initiative: Food-Water-Energy Nexus.” Principal Investigators and co-PIs should be African nationals based at African institutions. Proposals should include PIs or co-PIs from at least three countries, combining African countries with countries in the Belmont Forum. Funding for the African research is US$100 thousand for one year, with the possibility to extend for another year. The deadline for applications is 15 March 2017. Link
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Agricultural Scholarships for Africa
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is partnering with the MasterCard Foundation, Gulu University, and Egerton University to enhance the application of science, technology, business, and innovation for rural agriculture. Students who are economically disadvantaged, and students from post-conflict and conflict-affected areas of Africa, are welcome to apply for admission and financial support at Gulu University (Uganda) or Egerton University (Kenya). The announcements lists the available academic programs at each university. The application deadline is 15 March 2017. Link
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Field Attachment Program Award
The RUFORUM Field Attachment Program Award is a graduate student internship to link thesis research to application and use at the community level. The awards are for MSc students supported by RUFORUM, and who are finalizing their degrees. The grant provides a living stipend and limited travel for three to four months. Applications will be accepted throughout 2017. Link
Innocent Foundation — Seed Grants for Sustainable Agriculture in the Developing World
The program area “seed funding” makes grants to partner NGOs to deliver small-scale agricultural projects that have strong local impacts in the developing world. In addition to grant for agriculture, past projects include several that address water, forests, biodiversity, and related issues in environment and natural resources. Applying organizations must be registered charities in the UK. Grants are up to £30 thousand per year for three years. Link
Buckminster Fuller Institute — Buckminster Fuller Challenge 2017
The Challenge is an annual prize of US$100 thousand to invite ideas to radically advance human well-being and ecosystem health. Entries in prior years include several in energy, water, agriculture, natural disasters, etc., with relevance in developing countries. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research — Grants for Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, and Field Days
ACIAR offers sponsorship assistance to individuals wishing to attend a conference, seminar, workshop or field day that directly benefits agricultural research for development. ACIAR also supports organisations seeking sponsorships for this same objective. The priority is for events and sponsorships in ACIAR partner countries and related to ACIAR projects. However, direct involvement in an ACIAR project is not a prerequisite to apply for funding. The application deadlines are the first Wednesday of April and the last Wednesday of October in each calendar year. Link
Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition — Research on Sustainable Food 2017
The Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition sponsors BCFN YES! (Young Earth Solutions) as an international competition for young researchers on the theme of sustainable food systems. The program offers one-year research grants up to €20 thousand to PhD and postdoc researchers worldwide from any background and nationality. The maximum age is 35. Subject areas include climate change, resilient agriculture, sustainable water management, ecosystem services, food policy, and many others. The competition encourages the participation of teams from different disciplines and countries who wish to combine their expertise in innovative approaches. The deadline for proposals is 28 June 2017. Link