The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB) launches the Pitch AgriHack 2018. The theme for this year’s edition is “Women entrepreneurs innovate for agricultural transformation in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific”. The competition is open to both male and female founders and co-founders of e-agri startups offering digital services to the agricultural sector. Applicants must be aged between 18 to 35 years and need to be nationals and residents of African, Caribbean or Pacific countries. 50% of finalists will be women founders or co-founders of startups. Up to nine winning companies will receive a cash prize of up to € 15 thousand each. The deadline for registration is 21 May 2018. About Pitch AgriHack
Asia-Pacific
U.S. Department of State — Combat Wildlife Trafficking in East Asia and the Pacific
The U.S. Department of State seeks to build civilian law enforcement capabilities to combat wildlife crime in om East Asia and the Pacific region. The aim is to strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks; build investigative and enforcement capacity; and enhance prosecutorial and judicial capacity. The focus countries are Burma, China, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. Eligibility for funding extends to nonprofit NGOs and educational institutions in the USA and other countries, including consortia of local and non-local organizations. Requested grants should range from US$400 thousand to a maximum of US$2 million. The closing date for applications is 31 May 2018. More
BASF — Asia Nutrition Research Grant
BASF seeks applications for its 2018 Newtrition® Asia Research grant program that aims to fund academics in the Asia-Pacific region to study nutritional topics that will advance research relevant to diet and health for consumers. Projects must have a significant scientific value, addressing existing health issues of populations in the Asia Pacific region in the areas of human nutrition and food science. Winners will receive up to €40 thousand for 18 months of research. Application deadline is 31 May 2018. Find out more
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education — Fellowship for Water Professionals
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs is partnering with the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education to fund masters degrees and short courses at Delft University of Technology for water professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The 18 month MSc programmes include 6 months’ field based research, to be conducted preferably on specific problems in the home country of the participant.The project aims to strengthen the capacity of professionals and decision makers to improve water management in SIDS, and to better address challenges such as coping with climate change. The program announces short courses open to applicants from Africa, Asia, the Pacific region and the Caribbean (countries can be found in the announcement). To be considered for a SIDS fellowship, applicants must apply for admission to an MSc specialization before 1 July 2018. More
DAAD and SEARCA — In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme
DAAD offers scholarships for PhD and Master studies. The scholarships are intended for graduate and postgraduate students from South East Asia who want to pursue Master’s or PhD courses in sustainable agricultural and rural development in their home country (In-Country scholarships) or in another South East Asia country (In-Region scholarships). DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship holders are also encouraged to apply for a research grant in Germany for 2 up to 6 months. The scholarship covers tuition; study and research allowance; food, lodging and incidental expenses; travel; and insurance. Female applicants are especially encouraged to participate. Deadline for the submission of applications is 01 April 2018. Find detailed information
International Development Research Centre — Accelerating Climate Action
The IDRC seeks proposals on “Accelerating Climate Action: Social Equity and Empowerment of Women and Girls”. Research projects should produce knowledge which facilitates the scaling and financing of socially-transformative climate action, focussing on the resilience and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities in the developing world. The Applicant must be a research-oriented organization from academia, the private or public sector (e.g., university, government department, NGO) based in Asia, Africa or Latin America. The expected funding per project is C$500 thousand for 36 months. The deadline for applications is 23 April 2018. Find details
International RiverFoundation — Thiess Asia-Pacific Riverprize
The Thiess Asia-Pacific Riverprize invites applications from any organization in the Asia-Pacific region involved in river management, restoration and/or protection. The finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their projects at the 21st International Riversymposium. The winner will receive a cash prize and a trophy. Entrants from New Zealand, Australia, and 45 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region are eligible to apply for this prize. The application deadline is 29 March 2018. Find the guidelines
Innovation Grant Facility — Opportunity for Pacific Agro-SMEs
The Innovation Grant Facility (IGF) provides funding to agro-based small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in seven Pacific Island States; Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Projects should focus on “Leveraging the Development of Local Food Crops and Fisheries Value Chains for Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Food Systems in the Pacific Islands” and be executed by SMEs that aim to grow their business and contribute, directly or indirectly, to the sustainable development of the agriculture and fishery sectors. The maximum amount per grant award is €17 thousand. The call for applications will close on 25 April 2018. Find details
European Commission — Sustainable Use of Peatland and Haze Mitigation
The European Commission calls for concept notes for projects that promote sustainable management of peatlands through collective actions in ASEAN member states. Requested grants under this call for proposals must fall between €4,5 and €5 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit organisations established in a Member State of the European Union or in a Member State of the ASEAN. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 02 April 2018. Find more information
Australian APEC Study Centre — Women in Research 2018
The Australia – APEC Women in Research Fellowship supports female researchers from developing APEC economies to work in collaboration with partners at Australian institutions. Past fellows include several in subjects such as water resources, climate change, marine microbiology, and others related to environment. The program is open to female citizens and permanent residents in the following countries: Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. The application deadline is 06 April 2018. View