The Social Alpha Agritech Challenge 2.0 seeks innovators and start-ups with science and technology-based solutions that have the potential to create an impact in the lives of smallholder farmers in India. The winners receive support in the areas of product development, testing, pilots, product validation, product management and market strategy. Additional funding will be decided on a case-to-case basis. The challenge is open to individuals, teams, social enterprises, nonprofits, and companies registered in India. The deadline for application is 31 December 2020. Link
biotechnology
U.S. Mission to Russia — One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science
The U.S. Mission to Russia announces the “One Planet: Environment, Health, and Science” grant, which supports the promotion of environmental, health, and scientific issues in Russia. The U.S. Embassy invites proposals for projects that promote collaboration between Russia and the United States in the areas of health, science, technology, the environment, and energy. Applicants may apply for funding for any amount up to US$200 thousand. U.S. and Russian nonprofits, universities, civil society, museums, reserves, and community organizations are eligible. Proposals are reviewed every month until 01 June 2021. Details here
Wallonie Bruxelles International — Excellence Scholarship Program
Wallonie Bruxelles International (WBI) offers postdoctoral scholarships through the Excellence Scholarship Program. Focus areas include life sciences, agriculture-industry, environmental technologies, and others. Applications are open to candidates of any nationality that hold a doctor higher education diploma. The deadline for applications for long term scholarships (min. 1 year) is 01 March 2021, and for short term scholarships (1-3 months) is 01 February 2021 and 01 May 2021. Find out more
Swiss National Science Foundation — Vietnamese-Swiss Joint Research Program
The Vietnamese-Swiss Joint Research Program enables researchers in Switzerland to carry out joint projects with research partners in Vietnam. The program supports ambitious research and innovative approaches in all areas of research. A maximum of CHF250 thousand per project will be available for the Swiss part for a project period of up to 3 years. Proposals have to be jointly prepared by Swiss and Vietnamese applicants. The closing date for application is 15 January 2021. Link to the call
African Academy of Sciences — Prize for Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation
The Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and/or Technological Innovation honors African scientists who have made outstanding contributions in scientific discovery or technological innovation. The bi-annual prize will be awarded in each of the following fields: (1) Biotechnology, (2) Energy, (3) Information and Communication Technologies, or (4) Material Sciences. The prize may be awarded to an individual or jointly to two or more persons who will share the cash award of US$5 thousand. The prize is open to all African scientists and technologists. Candidates have to be nominated but self-nominations will also be accepted. The last date for receipt of nominations is 22 December 2020. Details here
United Nations Development Program — Arab States Youth Futures Fellowship
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) invites youth from the Arab States region to submit creative solutions on the future of climate change and/or civic engagement. Ideas can be submitted through poetry, an article, a story, a monologue, a piece of art, videos, objects from the future (that exist in 2030), dance, music, or any medium of the participant’s choosing. Up to 30 young people will be selected to take part in the Youth Futures Fellowship, a five-week capacity building opportunity. Participants must be between 19 and 20 years old and be from a country in the Arab States region. The deadline for submissions is 25 October 2020. Details
University of Waterloo — Online Workshop: Green Entrepreneurship
The University of Waterloo, in partnership with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the EcoInnovation Network, invites students and aspiring entrepreneurs to register in a six-part series of free online workshops on green entrepreneurship. The workshop targets researchers, youth, aspiring environmental and social entrepreneurs from across North America (including Mexico). The workshop provides practical knowledge and resources for those interested in launching green startups. Sessions start on 27 October 2020 with simultaneous translation in three languages (English, French and Spanish). Link to more information
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
King Baudouin Foundation — Subsidies in Support of Sustainable Development
The Business Partnership Facility awards subsidies to support and develop private sector involvement in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. The project must contribute to achieving at least one clearly identified SDG. Funding of up to €200 thousand is available. Partnerships must comprise actors from the private sector, civil society, academia and/or the public sector, with at least one organization from the for-profit private sector. The application deadline is 11 February 2021. Find details here
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Funding for International Workshops
The UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) provides funding for international workshops to stimulate joint research cooperations. The workshop can be held overseas or in the UK. Awards are up to £10 thousand. BBSRC invites applications from countries worldwide, but is particularly interested in promoting further links with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU Member States, India, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the USA. This opportunity is open to current BBSRC research grant holders who are in receipt of BBSRC funding. The deadline is 12 November 2020. Link