With funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s Department for International Development, the program “Drivers of Food Choice” solicits applications for research projects that will provide a deep understanding of the drivers of food choice and the relationship with agriculture among the poor in the world’s low- and middle-income countries. Research grants can be awarded to any organization (e.g., research organizations, NGOs, government institutions, and private-sector organizations) committed to improving food and nutrition security in one or more of the 41 countries that account for 90% of global under-nutrition. The program expects to fund seven research grants of up to US$300 thousand each. The deadline for concept memos is 01 April 2017. Link
april2017
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey — Research Fellowships 2017
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) awards research fellowships to international highly qualified PhD students and young postdoctoral researchers. Applicants should be non-Turkish citizens who are age 35 or younger. Preference is for candidates who have the potential to contribute to Turkey’s international cooperation in scientific and technological development. The fields of research collaboration include agricultural sciences, among others. The maximum length of the fellowship is 12 months. The application deadlines in 2017 are 06 March through 07 April, and from 05 September through 06 October. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Renewable Energy in Mexico
The U.S. Agency for International Development announces funding for a three-year program “Comunidades y Energías Renovables” to encourage a transparent process for renewable energy development in Mexico. The goal is to foster a process for renewable energy development that engages local communities, the Mexican government, civil society, and the private sector. Applications for funding are requested from NGOs in Mexico. Funding Opportunity RFA-523-17-000001. The closing date for applications is 19 April 2017. Link
European Commission — Women and Sustainable Energy
The EC calls for proposals to promote women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the sustainable energy sector and value chain, with an emphasis on financial services. The action must take place in multiple countries which are recipients of official development aid, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and possibly in other developing regions. Partnerships among academia, civil society, NGOs, international or local organizations, financial institutions, government, private sector, etc., may bring added value to a comprehensive approach. The amount of funding is from €4 million to €8 million, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/155118/DH/ACT/Multi. The deadline for submitting concept notes is 25 April 2017. Link
Australian Aid and Tata Group — XPrize for Water Abundance
Sponsored by the Tata Group jointly with Australian Aid, the Water Abundance XPRIZE invites teams to revolutionize access to water by creating a device that uses renewable energy to extract a minimum of 2,000 liters of water per day from the atmosphere at a combined operating and capital cost of no more than two cents per liter. Eligibility to compete for the prize extends to teams of scientists, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators from all over the world. The grand prize is US$1.5 million, and the competition will award additional (milestone) prizes of US$250 thousand. The registration deadline is 28 April 2017. Link
Smart Villages — Photo Competition on Sustainable Rural Energy
Smart Villages announces a photo competition on the theme of how energy access changes the life of rural communities around the world. The contest will emphasize the concept of energy “smartness” i.e., how energy is being used in productive, innovative, and even entrepreneurial ways. The competition is open to everyone regardless of nationality, background, age, and experience. The competition offers several cash prizes up to US$2 thousand for the overall winner. Photos must be submitted before 30 April 2017. Link
World Food Program — Sustainable Food and National Security
The World Food Program’s Centre of Excellence against Hunger, in partnership with the University Centre of Brasília, invite research papers on the topic ”Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security: Building Bridges between Durable Agricultural Practices and School Feeding Programmes.” The contest is open worldwide to students enrolled in graduate programs, as well as professors and graduate researchers in social and political sciences, and nutrition. The three top winners will participate in international study trips organized by the WFP Centre of Excellence. Articles must be submitted in English. The application deadline is 02 April 2017. Link
U.S. Department of State — U.S.-ASEAN Conference on Marine Environmental Issues in the Seas of Southeast Asia
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok invites proposals from organizations interested in organizing a conference that examines current marine environmental issues in the seas of Southeast Asia. Proposals should encourage think tanks and academia to engage in a comprehensive conversation examining and analyzing international issues related to environmental challenges in the seas of Southeast Asia. Awards are up to US$250 thousand. The application deadline is 07 April 2017. Funding Opportunity 17-BKK-NOFO-1. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Coastal Biodiversity in Central America
USAID’s regional office in Central America invites proposals to conserve biodiversity in targeted coastal-marine areas and associated upland ecosystems; to decrease degradation of forest and mangrove landscapes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate change; and to enhance climate-smart economic opportunities and sustainable use of natural resources (“biocommerce” ). Eligibility for funding is unrestricted. The program will aim to make one award of up to US$17 million over five years. Funding Opportunity RFA-596-17-000002. The closing date for applications is 10 April 2017. Link
Feed the Future — Data-Driven Farming Prize
The Data-Driven Farming Prize seeks tools and approaches that use data to help smallholder farmers improve their agricultural productivity and value. Feed the Future invites proposals for data-driven approaches to be tested in Nepal to improve the productivity of rice, other cereals, and vegetables. Eligibility to compete for the prize extends worldwide to individuals, groups, organizations, and companies — in all sources and sectors — particularly local innovators in South Asia. The judging panel will award two grants of US$100 thousand each, and two others of US$50 thousand each, to the proposals with highest potential. The deadline for applications is 06 April 2017. Link