The Newton Fund promotes partnerships in science and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of 16 partner countries, including Turkey. The current call for proposals invites UK companies in partnership with Turkish companies to address three challenges: (i) using waste products and residues from Turkey’s agri-food industry to reduce environmental impact and add value; (ii) improving the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers in Turkey; and (iii) improving animal and plant breeding in Turkey. The amount of available co-funding varies with business size. The deadline for registration is 16 November 2016. Link
agriculture
Conservation Agriculture Network in South-East Asia — Grants for Conservation Agriculture
The CANSEA scientific platform is a network of research partners keen to implement agro-ecology and conservation agriculture in Southeast Asia. CANSEA announces its second call for proposals to promote and strengthen conservation agriculture in the four CANSEA member countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Grants are up to US$30 thousand. CANSEA actively encourages co-funding. All recognized institutions in the CANSEA member countries are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting applications is 22 October 2016. Link
Michigan State University — Graduate Studies for Rwandans in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
With funding from the U.S. government, the Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program is implemented by Michigan State University. Rwanda is one of eleven countries for scholarship support under the BHEARD program. The scholarships will support master’s or PhD studies for Rwandans at regional universities in Africa, beginning August 2017 or January 2018. Applications are invited from the University of Rwanda (College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine), and from Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture. Course work will be undertaken at a regional university, and the student’s research project will be conducted in Rwanda. The application deadline is 30 October 2016. Link
OpenIDEO — Economic Opportunities for Youth in East Africa
OpenIDEO convenes a global community to collaboratively create solutions addressing the world’s biggest challenges. Among these challenges is the Youth Empowerment Challenge for East Africa, which aims to empower young people in East Africa to participate in the economy. OpenIDEO invites new ideas that motivate and inspire youth; build skills; support their transition into financial stability; include the private sector; or harness the potential for the participation of young people in agriculture. The Challenge is looking for ideas that answer its challenge question and that are targeted at youth between ages 18-35 in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. At least five winners of this challenge will receive a grant of between US$50 thousand and US$150 thousand, plus training and design support from IDEO. The challenge is open to all creative thinkers worldwide, and in any discipline. The deadline for submissions in the ideas phase is 31 October 2016. Link
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sustainable Development — French Cooperation with Pacific Islands and Territories 2017
The government of France makes grants through a regional fund (Le Fonds Pacifique) for economic, social, and cultural collaboration in the Pacific region. Funding priorities include actions to address climate change and the prevention of natural disasters; food security; sanitation; and other thematic areas. Grants are up to €30 thousand per project, and up to a maximum of 50% of project costs. The Fund aims to make about 40 grants for 2017. Applications are submitted through France’s diplomatic missions in the Pacific region. The application deadline is 25 November 2016. Link
Wageningen University — Course in Landscape Governance
The Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation, in partnership with CIFOR and ICRAF, invites participants for an international course on landscape governance. The focus is institutional development at the landscape level — including multi-stakeholder platforms and networks, and financial support mechanisms. The course is open to experienced professionals with several years of experience in natural resources management, forestry, agriculture, rural development, rural livelihoods, sustainable development, or other relevant areas. The course will be held in English on the CIFOR-ICRAF campus in Bogor (Indonesia), April 2017. The deadline to apply for course scholarships through the Netherlands Fellowship Program (NFP) is 18 October 2016. Link
Royal Agricultural College — Land and Food Fellowships for Africans 2017
The UK’s Royal Agricultural College (RAC) offers fellowships to African students enrolled in its masters programs in subjects of rural development, sustainable agriculture and food security, business management, and international food and agri-business. The RAC seeks applicants who have experience in agriculture and related subjects; an interest in land reform; and a desire to make a strategic and sustainable contribution to Africa’s development. The program supports up to 10 African fellows each year. The next application period is 01 January 2017 through 15 January 2017. Link
University of California at Davis — Horticulture Innovation Lab
With funding provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Horticulture Innovation Lab makes research grants in support of agricultural development. The Lab is soliciting proposals on improving post-harvest handling, storage, and marketing of tomatoes for Burkina Faso (deadline: 12 September 2016). It also calls for research proposals on dried apricots in Tajikistan (deadline: 12 September 2016). Additionally, the Lab invites concept notes for research on integrated animal-horticulture systems, particularly for Cambodia, Nepal, and Rwanda (deadline: 19 September 2016). Proposals led by U.S. university researchers will be given priority for funding. However, some programs are open to additional participation. Link
European Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) — Enterprises in e-Agriculture
“Pitch AgriHack!” is sponsored by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU, in partnership with other organizations. The aim is to help young start-ups in e-agriculture develop business services. The programme is open to start-ups whose owners are ages 18 to 35, and who have a prototype or operating mobile application or ICT service for agriculture in any of the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific) countries. There will be a selection to determine which start-ups and teams will attend a boot camp and pitching event in Kenya. Winners for proof of concept will receive grants up to €7.5 thousand; winners for scaling-up will receive grants up to €15 thousand. The deadline for applications (English, French) is 25 September 2016. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Water Innovation Technologies in Jordan
USAID aims to assist Jordan with water-saving technologies and practices. The measures include interventions for safe water collection and storage; improved public awareness about water conservation; incentives for financing water infrastructure; and others. The 5-year program will focus in communities most impacted by immigration, and it will also support water-conserving technologies in agriculture. Eligibility for funding is unrestricted. Funding Opportunity RFA-278-16-000013. The application deadline is 24 October 2016. Link