The International ReSource Award is a prize acknowledging social entrepreneurial thinking and leadership in addressing social and/or ecological issues related to sustainable water management practices in developing and emerging countries. Each of three finalists will receive US$20 thousand and expert assistance to further develop their proposals in order to compete for a first prize of US$75 thousand. Eligibility for the ReSource Award extends to charities, non-profit organizations, and revenue-generating social enterprises working in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene in the developing world. The application deadline for short proposals (Step I) is 22 March 2017. Link
awards/prizes
Franklin Institute — Bower Award for Science Achievement 2018
The Bower Award of US$250 thousand is made to individuals who have made significant contributions to understanding and quantifying perturbations of natural systems within the biosphere, atmosphere, or hydrosphere in the age of the Anthropocene. The competition is open internationally. Self-nominations are accepted. Notices of intent to nominate should be sent by 30 April 2017. The deadline for nominations is 31 May 2017. Link
Inter-Research Science Center — Ecology Prizes 2017
Inter-Research Science Center — Ecology Prizes 2017. The International Ecology Institute in Germany annually selects top performers worldwide in the field of ecology for the Ecology Institute Prize and the IRPE Prize. The winner of the Ecology Institute Prize will be awarded €6 thousand; the winner of the IRPE Prize will receive €3 thousand. Nominations are invited from research ecologists worldwide. The closing date for nominations is 31 March 2017. Link
Buckminster Fuller Institute — Buckminster Fuller Challenge 2017
The Challenge is an annual prize of US$100 thousand to invite ideas to radically advance human well-being and ecosystem health. Entries in prior years include several in energy, water, agriculture, natural disasters, etc., with relevance in developing countries. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
MIT Center for Collective Intelligence — Climate CoLab 2017
The MIT Climate CoLab organizes contests to solicit the world’s best ideas to prevent and adapt to climate change. Some contests pose social and political questions, while others focus on issues in science and technology. Each year, the contest winners are invited to a conference at MIT’s campus in the USA, where a pool of prize funding is shared among the best ideas. Current contests include one on managing and reducing carbon contributions, with submission deadline on 20 January 2017. Another contest focuses on anticipating climate hazards, with deadline on 10 February 2017. Link
Rolex Awards — Rolex Awards for Young Leaders 2018
Five Rolex Awards will be offered to young leaders (ages 18 to 30) anywhere in the world who have ground-breaking proposals or initiatives that will help expand knowledge of the world and improve the quality of life on the planet. Applications can be submitted in three categories: the environment, applied science and technology, or exploration. Projects should be planned for the future, or be only partially completed. Each winner will receive CHF 100 thousand in order to help her/him with project implementation. The application deadline is 30 June 2017. Link
Inter-Research Science Center — Prizes and Fellowships 2017
The International Ecology Institute in Germany annually selects top performers worldwide in the field of ecology for the Ecology Institute Prize and the IRPE Prize. The winner of the Ecology Institute Prize will be awarded €6 thousand; the winner of the IRPE Prize will receive €3 thousand. Nominations are invited from research ecologists worldwide. The closing date for nominations is 30 April 2017. Additionally, the Center calls for nominations for the Otto Kinne Foundation Fellowship, with deadline on 31 October 2017. Link
National Cheng Kung University — Gro Bruntland Awards 2017
Taiwan’s Cheng Kung University will host Gro Bruntland Week in March 2017 to honor Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and Director-General of the World Health Organization. Five young female scientists, one from Taiwan and four from developing countries, will be invited to present their research related to public health and sustainable development. TVG Note: This can possibly include research related to food production and nutrition, water supply, or other environmental influences on health. Candidates should be female, less than 40 years old, and hold a research doctorate. The deadline to apply is 04 December 2016. Link
Olam — Prize for Food Security 2017
The Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security honors and offers financial support to an outstanding research project for its potential impact on the availability, affordability, accessibility, or adequacy of food. Olam invites applications from research projects in plant science, soil science, nutritional science, agricultural sciences, and any other field of scientific research impacting food security, focused on any part of the agricultural supply chain. The winning research project will receive US$50 thousand in unrestricted funding to support further development of the research project. The deadline for applications is 17 January 2017. 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