The U.S. Department of State seeks applications from organizations to support women’s economic empowerment in the Mekong through providing financial literacy training and support. This project should increase the access of women entrepreneurs and business owners to financing, market opportunities, and training to help establish and grow their micro, small, or medium enterprises. The Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs anticipates having approximately $395 thousand of economic support funds available to support one successful application. EAP welcomes applications from non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. The closing date for applications is 15 June 2021. Link
Asia-Pacific
ygap — Support for Female Entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific region
The yher accelerator provides support to female entrepreneurs and female-led impact ventures across the Pacific Islands region. The aim of the program is to provide solutions to poverty by empowering women. The program provides access to mentors, training and a week-long intensive training workshop. Winners of the peer review will receive AU$10 thousand in funding and the chance to apply for an additional AU$40 thousand in grant funding to help scale their venture. Given the current situation, the application process is kept open until program dates can be confirmed. Link to the accelerator program
International Development Research Centre — Gender in STEM Research Initiative
Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) announces a new funding opportunity to advance gender analysis and women’s leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This initiative will support university-led consortia to expand and deepen scholarship in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, on the challenges and opportunities that women scientists experience in STEM fields. IDRC will provide CA$1 million to CA$1.25 million per research consortium. The call is open to public universities from low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, or Latin America/Caribbean. Extended Deadline: 10 May 2021. STEM Research Initiative
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship — Climate Resilience Asia Pacific Accelerator
The Miller Center seeks applications for an online accelerator program focused on innovations that address the poor, who are suffering disproportionately from climate change in the areas of: affordable and reliable access to modern energy, sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. The program does not provide financial assistance but offers mentorship and capacity building. It is designed for established social entrepreneurs that directly serve people living in poverty. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. This program is open to entrepreneurs from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Applications for the online program cohort are due by 26 April 2021. Link to the Climate Resilience Accelerator
Stockholm Environment Institute — Strategic Collaborative Fund Asia
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) supports regional environmental and sustainable development events in Asia. SEI welcomes concept notes for regional strategic events in Asia that focus on advancing environmentally sustainable development with integration of gender and social equality and rights-based approaches. Themes under the Strategic Collaborative Fund include: Addressing air pollution and climate change, agrobiodiversity, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and ecosystems. A total of SEK450 thousand will be awarded per grant. Projects should be based in South or Southeast Asia or address issues relevant to Asia. Eligibility extends to nonprofit organizations or networks. The deadline is 17 May 2021. Find out more
U.S. Department of State — Human Rights for Environmental Protection
The U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) seeks organizations interested in submitting applications for regional projects in the East Asia and Pacific region to strengthen transparent and accountable governance that respects human rights and addresses inequality as an integral part of addressing climate change and protecting the environment. DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations and public international organizations; institutions of higher education; as well as for-profit organizations or businesses. Requested grants should range from US$750 thousand to a maximum of US$1.5 million. The closing date for applications is 04 June 2021. Information
United Nations Development Programme — End Plastic Pollution
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invites applications for the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC). EPPIC targets the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, Lombok Island in Indonesia, and Samal Island in the Philippines. UNDP will select 10 to 15 finalists to participate in a 3-month solution incubation program; 2 to 4 finalists will be selected as winners and receive up to US$18 thousand each. All individuals and organizations from an ASEAN country, including businesses, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions, are welcome to apply. Applications close on 30 April 2021. Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Asian Elephant Conservation Fund 2021
The Asian Elephant Conservation Fund invites project proposals for the conservation of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Grants are for activities in elephant conservation, protection of habitat, prevention of poaching, and other activities in elephant conservation. Grants range from US$50 thousand to US$500 thousand for projects at priority sites within the range of the Asian elephant, but proposals outside of range are welcome when shows a clear relevance to the Asian elephant conservation. Eligibility for funding extends to qualified individuals; multi-national secretariats; state and local government agencies; nonprofit, non-governmental organizations; for-profit organizations; public and private institutions of higher education, and foreign entities. The application deadline is 06 May 2021. Asian Elephant Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Great Ape Conservation Fund 2021
The Great Ape Conservation Fund (Asia) is open to project proposals for the conservation of orangutans and gibbons throughout their ranges in Asia. Grants are for applied research, training, conservation management, community outreach, law enforcement, decreased human-wildlife conflicts, and other activities in conservation. About 15-20 grants will be awarded, ranging from US$50 thousand to a maximum of US$500 thousand. Eligibility for grants extends worldwide to qualified and relevant government agencies, other organizations, multi-national secretariats, and individuals. The application deadline is 07 May 2021. Great Ape Conservation Asia
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund Asia
The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund (RTCF) solicits proposals for the conservation of Asian rhinoceroses and tigers. Grants are for applied research, training, conservation management, community outreach, law enforcement, decreased human-wildlife conflicts, and other activities in conservation. Grants should range from US$50 thousand to a maximum of US$500 thousand and match the scope of the activities and the length of the project period. Eligibility for grants extends worldwide to qualified and relevant government agencies, other organizations, multi-national secretariats, and individuals. The application deadline is 31 July 2021. Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Asia