The Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Prize recognizes woman scientists from least-developed countries with scientific achievements in clean and renewable energy; sustainable agriculture and agro-biodiversity; plastic pollution and microplastics, water purification and sanitation, climate change, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and other themes related to sustainability. The winner will receive a cash award of US$4 thousand. Candidates should be working and living in an LDC country for at least two years prior to nomination. The deadline for nominations is 14 March 2025. Innovation for Sustainability Award
biotechnology
Roddenberry Foundation — Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund makes small grants for ideas that are early-stage, unconventional, and innovative. It favors bold ideas that depart from the status quo, and that look at a problem and its solution in a new light. There are no restrictions by theme or place (and may include the subjects of the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Proposals can take the form of cutting-edge products, experimental programs, new services, inventions, etc. Eligibility for funding extends to anyone in the world, individuals and teams. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$15 thousand. The Fund accepts applications on a continuous basis with no deadlines. Find out more
Marc and Nora Van Montagu Fund — Fellowship Program for Women Researchers in Africa
The Open Doors Fellowship Program (ODFP) targets post-doctoral and mid-career women researchers conducting agricultural research in Africa. Fellows receive financial incentives to enhance their scientific visibility and a research stay in Belgium. Applicants’ research fields must be plant breeding, agrobiotechnology, molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, chemical ecology, plant & soil health, livestock or aquaculture. There are no age limits. The application deadline is 10 January 2025. Open Doors Fellowship Program
King Baudouin Foundation — KBF Africa Prize 2025-2026
The KBF Africa Prize is awarded to Africans or African organizations who are making an outstanding contribution to development in Africa. There are no restrictions as to the chosen themes. The Selection Committee favors community approaches that deal with actual and current challenges in Africa. The winners receive financial support of up to €250 thousand. Self-nomination is not permitted. The deadline for nominations is 03 March 2025. Find out how to nominate a candidate
Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technologies — Call for Proposals 2025
The Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology – Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (FONTAGRO) – calls for innovations for the sustainable increase of agricultural productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean in the context of climate change. FONTAGRO member countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Proposals are accepted from multi-country consortia of public and private organizations at national, regional, and international levels. Grants are up to US$200 thousand for projects of up to 36 months. Projects will require counterpart contributions. The closing date for preliminary applications (Spanish) is 11 April 2025. Convocatoria 2025
Council for the Advancement of Science Writing — Science Reporting Award
The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW) awards the Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award. The award recognizes the accomplishments of a mid-career science journalist. The winner receives US$20 thousand to undertake a significant reporting project. Candidates must be experienced journalists who have compiled a substantial body of work in science journalism. The deadline for submissions is 30 April 2025. CASW Science Reporting Award
International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology — Collaborative Research Grants 2025
The ICGEB Research Grants support projects in agricultural biotechnology, basic life sciences, bioenergy, and many other fields. The grants are intended to facilitate the creation of research facilities in promising institutes; to promote training of young scientists; and to develop new research programs in participating countries. The program is open to applicants who have positions at universities and research institutes in ICGEB’s member states. Grants are a maximum of €25 thousand per year for projects of up to 36 months. The deadline for submitting applications is 07 January 2025. Collaborative Research Grants
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS-CSIR Postdoctoral Fellowships in India
India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) offers postdoctoral fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than India) to pursue postdoctoral research at CSIR’s laboratories and institutes. The duration of the fellowships is six to twelve months. Subject areas range across the physical and natural sciences, including agricultural sciences. CSIR will provide a monthly stipend to cover living costs, food, and health insurance. The application deadline is 14 January 2025. Details
Delft University of Technology — Excellence Scholarships
TU Delft offers the Justus & Louise Van Effen Excellence Scholarships to study at the Delft University of Technology. The scholarship offers €30 thousand per year to international applicants admitted to one of the 2-year regular MSc programs. The programs include sustainable energy, environmental engineering, water management, and many others. The application deadline is 01 December 2024. About this scholarship
Rice University — Business Plan Competition for Early-Stage Startups
The Rice University (Texas, USA) invites student teams to participate in the Rice Business Plan Competition 2025. Entrepreneurs receive the opportunity to pitch their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and enhance their startup strategy. Typically, startups have a technology component in Energy/Clean Technology; Life Science/Biotechnology; or Digital Services. The competition is open to degree-seeking students currently enrolled at a college or university anywhere in the world. The grand prize winner receives up to $300 thousand in investments. The application deadline is 10 January 2025. Business Plan Competition