MassChallenge seeks startups and corporations with proven solutions or technologies in the areas of Sustainable Food & Feed Solutions, AgTech, and others. The Challenge allows participants to work together, create a joint pitch, and scale up innovative solutions. Selected corporate partners will be invited to the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge Day (May 2025). Selected startups will receive CHF1,000 to contribute towards travel to the event. Applicants can be from any geography. However, partners are headquartered in Europe, so physical collaboration would be mostly in Europe. The application deadline is 18 November 2024. Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge
agriculture
Mastercard Foundation Fund — Agribusiness Challenge Fund
The Mastercard Foundation Fund calls for proposals for the Agribusiness Challenge Fund aimed at African enterprises in the agriculture sector to create work opportunities at scale. Selected businesses will receive grants ranging from US$ 500 thousand to US$ 2.5 million disbursed over a 3-year period. The Fund targets African agri-businesses in Sub-Saharan African countries. The application will close on 22 November 2024. Agribusiness Challenge Fund
Acumen — West Africa Fellowship
The Acumen Fellows Program supports social innovators from West Africa who are tackling issues of poverty and injustice within their community. The Fellowship consists of a fully-funded leadership program, where Fellows remain in their role while taking part in a series of immersive seminars, workshops, and group practice. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other subject areas. Applications have to be received by 25 November 2024. Acumen West Africa Fellowship
Borlaug Global Rust Initiative — Support for Women in Wheat Research
The Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) offers the Jeanie Borlaug Laube Award for the professional development of women working on wheat research during the early stages of their careers. The award is made only to women. Priority is given to women at the pre-professoriate level. The application deadline is 29 November 2024. About the early-career award
Global Thinkers Forum — Mentoring Program 2025
The Global Thinkers Forum brings together a diverse network of thought leaders to share their visions of the future, create meaningful conversations around them, and effect positive change in the world. The program consists of a 8-month mentoring cycle that includes one-on-one sessions between experienced thought leaders with individuals aged between 18-29 from all over the world. The program’s mentors are successful individuals across several professional fields and countries. The application deadline is 30 November 2024. Become a Global Thinkers Mentee
Learning Planet Institute — Youth Design Challenge
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: Community Engagement, Socio-emotional Development, and Sustainability (planetary health and regenerative economy). The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 01 December 2024. Youth Design Challenge
Tinker Foundation — Sustainable Resource Management in Latin America
Tinker’s program of Institutional Grants supports the theme of sustainable resource management (among others) in Latin America. Particular issues of interest include sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry and non-timber forest products, sustainable tourism, fisheries management, and payment for environmental services. Tinker is also very interested in issues of water scarcity and quality for communities. Grants typically range from US$50 thousand to US$150 thousand, for up to three years. The Foundation encourages project collaboration among organizations in the USA and Latin America. Tinker invites brief letters of inquiry to the Foundation before proposals are prepared and submitted. The application deadline is 20 January 2025. Institutional Grants
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
In collaboration with UNESCO, the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) sponsors a PhD Scholarship for up to 40 students/scholars from developing countries to study in China for up to 4 years. TWAS will provide travel support and a monthly allowance to cover accommodation and living expenses. Applicants must be residents and nationals of a developing country (except China). The call for applications is open until 15 February 2025. TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship
Kellogg School of Management — Sustainable Investing Challenge
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge invites teams of graduate students from around the world to develop and pitch creative financial approaches and solutions to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. Graduate students from around the world are invited to participate. The overall winning team receives US$10 thousand and the runner-up receives US$5 thousand. Teams must register in advance to request a mentor that gives them feedback on their proposal before submission. The deadline for submission of project ideas is 23 February 2025. Sustainable Investing Challenge
Swedish Institute — Scholarships for Global Professionals
The Swedish Institute (SI) provides fully-funded international scholarships for master’s studies in Sweden. The scholarship for global professionals aims to develop future global leaders who will contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contribute to positive and sustainable development in their home countries. The scholarship is intended for full-time one-year or two-year master’s programs. SI fully covers tuition fees and makes regular payments of SEK12 thousand to cover living expenses throughout the scholarship. The application portal will close on 26 February 2025. SI Scholarships for Global Professionals