Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment and partners seek existing solutions that are changing behaviors to help solve the world’s most challenging environmental problems. For this year’s contest, Solutions Search looks for promising approaches that are shifting people’s behavior toward cleaner, healthier water ecosystems. Contest entrants get access to capacity building, workshops, and networking opportunities to further refine and scale their solution. The overall winner will receive US$25 thousand, among numerous other prizes, including a US$5 thousand prize awarded to the best early entrant (for submissions prior to 30 November). Any organization or institution worldwide is eligible (e.g., city government, business, non-profit, university, etc.). Individuals are not eligible to enter. The regular submission deadline is 10 January 2021. Access Solution Search
business/enterprise
World Vision — Sanitation Solutions
World Vision seeks affordable sanitation solutions for rural single families living in the poorest areas of the world. Applicants are invited to submit new ideas, concepts, and approaches to attack the lack of adequate toilets and latrines. The participants with the best solutions will receive financial support of up to US$15 thousand to further develop their ideas. Eligibility to the challenge is not restricted. Submissions must be received by 12 January 2021. More
IMMANA — Competitive Research Grants
The Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA) Competitive Research Grants support the development of innovative methods to advance the scientific understanding of the linkages between agriculture and food systems in order to improve nutrition outcomes in low and middle-income countries. IMMANA grants to conduct research projects are a maximum of £250 thousand. Researchers and institutions from both developed countries and LMICs are eligible. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 21 January 2021. IMMANA Grants
European Commission — Restoring Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
The European Commission invites proposals for the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Projects are expected to focus on degraded terrestrial, freshwater, coastal or marine ecosystems, responding to relevant restoration goals enhancing biodiversity. The project results are expected to contribute to maintained and enhanced natural carbon sinks and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission considers proposals requesting a contribution between €16-25 million. Research organizations in some 130 developing countries are automatically eligible for funding. The full list of these countries is provided in the call. The submission deadline is 26 January 2021. More information here
AI for Development — Technology to Achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
The AI for Development (AI4Dev) Challenge seeks ideas in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to achieve 4 Sustainable Development Goals (including Goal 2: Zero Hunger) in Arab & African countries. Teams of at least two members that research and develop AI innovations are invited to submit their idea. Selected participants will receive mentorship and training from experts, and guidance to develop prototypes. The challenge offers monetary prizes of up to US$5 thousand. The deadline to submit ideas is 17 November 2020. AI4Dev Challenge
Socialab — 4Revs Innovation Challenge
4Revs Innovation Challenge is a global call for solutions in food, water, resources, climate change and energy that will help humanity solve survival challenges in one generation (2020-2050). Innovators are invited to submit solutions that are already in the market and contribute to at least one of the 4 Revolutions: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Supply; Water Conservation and Management; Ecosystem Restoration; Climate Change and Sustainable Energy. Six solutions will be selected as potential case studies and compete for additional financial rewards of up to US$1,500. The Challenge closes 19 November 2020. Link to Socialab
BiodivERsA — Conservation and Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems
BiodivERsA announces a call for proposals for the “Conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems and their biodiversity, including a focus on aquatic systems.” The call aims to support transnational research projects jointly studying the biological processes of conservation/restoration and the benefits of restoring ecosystems. The participating countries in this call are Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and Tunisia. The total amount for this call is €23 million. Scientific research projects must be transnational research consortia with eligible partners from minimum 3 countries performed by eligible research organizations (profit and non-profit). Pre-proposals have to be submitted by 07 December 2020. More
European Commission — SWITCH-Asia for Sustainable Production and Consumption in Asia
SWITCH-Asia makes grants to promote sustainable production and consumption in Asia. Grants support small and medium enterprises in Asia to use processes, products, and services that reduce pollution and mitigate climate change. The program also supports a network facility for communications with stakeholders, and a policy component to promote measures that advance the switch to sustainable consumption patterns and behavior among Asian consumers. Applications are accepted from nonprofit organizations in eligible European and Asian countries, as well as in OECD member countries in the case of least-developed and highly-indebted ODA countries. Grants range from €1 million to €2.5 million, subject to cost shares. The deadline for concept notes is 18 December 2020. Find the call
UK Government — African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
The UK Government invites applications for agriculture knowledge transfer partnerships between UK registered higher education institutions or research organizations and African businesses or non-profit organizations. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme will support African knowledge bases in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in support of capacity building for sustainable agriculture and strategic innovation projects that tackle challenges in Africa. Each application must be led by a UK registered knowledge base, working with an African business partner and African knowledge base. Typically projects cost no more than £125 thousand per year. The application deadline for this scheme is 27 January 2021. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
The Commonwealth — Innovation for Sustainable Development
The Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards recognizes projects and contributions in advancing the sustainable development goals in Commonwealth countries. The Award has five categories: (1) Well-being (i.e. health, education, human rights etc.); (2) Prosperity (i.e. economic development, trade, etc.); (3) Peace; (4) Planet and the natural environment; and (5) Partnerships for sustainable development. 15 winners will each receive a trophy, a certificate and prize money of £3 thousand. Eligibility extends to individuals, governments, social enterprises, and businesses in Commonwealth countries. The deadline for nominations is 31 January 2021. Innovation for Sustainable Development Award 2021