The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announces the Resilient, Inclusive, & Sustainable Environments (RISE) Challenge. USAID seeks innovative interventions that prevent and respond to gender-based violence across programs that address the access, use and management of natural resources. The challenge aims to fund organizations to innovatively adapt and implement promising or proven interventions that enhanced environmental action and women’s empowerment. USAID will award up to three awards in the amount of up to US$300 thousand. Eligibility extends to all organizations regardless of type (e.g., NGO; for profit; not-for-profit; community organizations, etc.) with local presence where USAID is currently operational. Submissions are due on 05 August 2020. Rise Challenge
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FoodTech Accelerator — Global FoodTech Accelerator
The Global Foodtech Accelerator 2020 is open for applications. The Program seeks 10 startups with innovative solutions and international partners to improve agrifood and retail sectors. Selected projects will receive an economic contribution, office space, mentorship and networking opportunities. Eligibility extends to Italian and foreign companies and individuals. The application deadline is 30 September 2020. Link
InVivo Group — AgFood Climate Change Challenges
InVivo’s Quest Competition seeks technological and ecological innovations to answer to climate change challenges in the AgFood industry. The competition is open to start-ups which already have a commercialized product or service with technology focus. The current 4th Quest is open to businesses in Europe, divided into 7 geographical areas. The laureate of each geographical area will earn a “business connexions” pack including consulting from leading agfood companies and a two day stay in Paris, including lunch with the InVivo Executive Committee. Start-us from Eastern Europe may apply until 30 September 2020. Link
UK Government — Energy Catalyst: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
The Energy Catalyst competition seeks innovative, market-focused energy solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa and/or South Asia. Projects must encourage the development of products and services that help countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia access low carbon energy. Early stage projects (feasibility studies) may apply for up to £300 thousand, mid stage projects (industrial research) for up to £1.5 million, and late stage projects (experimental development) for up to £5 million. Eligibility extends to UK based businesses, charities or academic institutions. International partnerships are strongly encouraged. The application deadline is 16 September 2020. Energy Catalyst
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
European Commission — Women’s Economic Empowerment in Afghanistan
The European Commission (EC) seeks to promote female entrepreneurship in agricultural value chains, by supporting Afghan women in developing and executing their business ideas, and women-led micro and small enterprises. The EC will financially support projects that strengthen the capacity of Afghan women to develop and execute their business ideas and foster respect for women’s role as economic agents. Applicants may request up to €5 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations established in the European Union or Afghanistan. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 03 August 2020. Here
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation — Partnerships for Global Sustainable Development
The “Swiss Programme for Research on Global lssues for Development” (r4d programme) promotes applied, need-based scientific research in developing countries. Projects that analyse, develop and test innovative solutions to sustainable development challenges in developing countries in any thematic area or field of research are eligible. The program will support consortia that consist of at least a Swiss research institution, a research partner in the Global South/East and a non-research implementation partner (government, civil society, private sector). SDC’s contribution will be CHF 100 thousand to be used over a period of max. 12 months. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is 12 October 2020. Link
French Global Environment Facility — Sustainable Cooling and Air Conditioning
The French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) launches a new call for projects to support innovations for “Sustainable Cold Production and Air Conditioning” in developing countries. Proposed projects should focus the development of sustainable cooling or air conditioning technologies and approaches, for example, “natural” refrigerants, which are more energy efficient. Projects may be proposed in connection with the transfer of skills and technologies through capacity building programs. Eligibility extends to developing countries, with priority given to applicants from the African continent. Funding ranges from €500 thousand to €3 million per project. The deadline for the submission of project proposals is 16 October 2020. More information here
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