The UNWTO Sustainable Development Goals Global Startup Competition seeks innovative startups that directly contribute to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The competition features 17 categories, each one representing a Sustainable Development Goal. Startups from all over the world and all economic sectors are invited to participate. The winning startups receive a pitch at a UNWTO Demo Day, capacity and business development training, access to technological support, and connection to the UNWTO Innovation Network. The deadline for candidatures is 20 September 2020. Link to the competition
biotechnology
UK Department for International Development — Agri-Tech Catalyst for Africa
The Agri-Tech Catalyst aims to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in Africa. Projects should focus in any of three categories: early-stage technical feasibility; industrial research; or late-stage experimental development. Project leaders must be UK businesses (or UK research organizations in the case of early-stage technical feasibility). Projects should include at least one consortium member from an eligible African country. The amount of project co-funding available varies from £100 thousand to £1 million depending on category and business size. The deadline for registration is 21 October 2020. Find the call
Ben Gurion University of the Negev — Postdoctoral Desert Research in Israel 2021-22
Candidates who are interested in conducting postdoctoral research at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research in Israel are invited to apply for fellowships. Research topics include desert ecology, solar energy, environmental physics, architecture and urban planning, rainfed and irrigated agriculture, hydrology, aquaculture, environmental microbiology, desalination and water treatment, and biotechnology. The current value of the BCSC fellowship is US$25 thousand. Candidates should first select a topic of interest and identify a prospective supervisor. Applications are open worldwide. The application deadline is 03 March 2021. Find the Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Spindle — Digital Innovations for Africa, Asia and Latin America
The Spindle seeks the 30 most inspiring Digital Innovations from all over the world and from all types of organizations who are working towards a sustainable, just and inclusive world. The digital innovation or technology should contribute to closer cooperation between organisations working on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The 30 selected participants have the chance to record a pitch video with a professional filmmaker and will present their product during the Partos Innovation Festival (October 2020) to potential partners and investors. Applications can be submitted until 10 July 2020. Note: This opportunity is “first-come, first-served!” (the first 100 applications will be taken into account). About
British Council — Newton-Bhabha PhD Placements
The Newton-Bhabha Fund offers short-term (2-4 months) PhD placements for Indian and UK PhD scholars to spend a period of their study at UK or Indian higher education or research institutions. Applications are invited in STEM and life sciences in subjects including environment and food and agriculture sciences, among others. The application deadline is 16 August 2020. Click here
Proposals for NGOs — #Togetherwecan Photo Contest
The Photo Contest is open to professional and non-professional photographers worldwide. Participants are invited to submit real pictures showing their development project and progress in local communities around the world. The two images that get the most “likes” and “shares” by 15 August will win US$100 each. Photos have to be submitted by 15 July 2020. Link to the #Togetherwecan photo challenge
Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards — Edition 2021
Cartier supports women entrepreneurs who lead social enterprises in their early phases that have potential to grow significantly. Cartier reviews applications from Latin America, North America, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East & North Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Previous laureates have included several whose work links to environment and related issues, e.g., product recycling, low-cost energy, water treatment, fair trade, and others. Each of the selected women entrepreneurs receives a cash prize of US$100 thousand, networking and visibility opportunities, and business coaching. The closing date for applications is 31 July 2020. About the awards
CRDF Global — Biorisk Management
CRDF Global announces the Biorisk Management Engagement Grant (BMEG) Competition. The goal of the competition is to provide support for biorisk management activities, such as laboratory design, repairs and maintenance of equipment, workshops and trainings at academic and industrial institutions in the MENA region. Projects related to challenges posed by Covid-19 will also be considered. Finalists will be awarded US$9 thousand. Only applications from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey will be accepted. The application deadline is 30 June 2020. Link
African Academy of Sciences — Grand Challenges Africa Transition to Scale Funding
With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the African Academy of Sciences announces follow-on and scale up funding to help Africa achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The call is focused on solutions targeting healthcare and other developmental problems in the African Continent. Funding is based on the applicants’ budget for scale: Scale 1 – up to US$250 thousand for 24 months, Scale 2 – up to US$500 thousand for 36 months, Scale 3&4 – up to US$1 million. Both for-profit and not-for profit science-based entities are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2020. More info
StartupXs — COVID-19 Response Fund
StartupXs launches the COVID-19 Response Fund for start-ups and social enterprises with the aim to support early-stage social entrepreneurs to adapt to the pandemic. Support extends to social entrepreneurs whose projects focus on natural resources as well as other categories of the Terra Viva Grants Directory. Participation is open to any start-up or social enterprise worldwide. Priority is given to early-stage start-ups launching innovative products or ideas. One winner will receive US$1000. The deadline to participate is 31 July 2020. Find the Covid-19 Response Fund