With funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s Department for International Development, the program “Drivers of Food Choice” solicits applications for research projects that will provide a deep understanding of the drivers of food choice and the relationship with agriculture among the poor in the world’s low- and middle-income countries. Research grants can be awarded to any organization (e.g., research organizations, NGOs, government institutions, and private-sector organizations) committed to improving food and nutrition security in one or more of the 41 countries that account for 90% of global under-nutrition. The program expects to fund seven research grants of up to US$300 thousand each. The deadline for concept memos is 01 April 2017. Link
business/enterprise
U.S. Agency for International Development — Renewable Energy in Mexico
The U.S. Agency for International Development announces funding for a three-year program “Comunidades y Energías Renovables” to encourage a transparent process for renewable energy development in Mexico. The goal is to foster a process for renewable energy development that engages local communities, the Mexican government, civil society, and the private sector. Applications for funding are requested from NGOs in Mexico. Funding Opportunity RFA-523-17-000001. The closing date for applications is 19 April 2017. Link
European Commission — Women and Sustainable Energy
The EC calls for proposals to promote women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in the sustainable energy sector and value chain, with an emphasis on financial services. The action must take place in multiple countries which are recipients of official development aid, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and possibly in other developing regions. Partnerships among academia, civil society, NGOs, international or local organizations, financial institutions, government, private sector, etc., may bring added value to a comprehensive approach. The amount of funding is from €4 million to €8 million, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/155118/DH/ACT/Multi. The deadline for submitting concept notes is 25 April 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Asian Women Entrepreneurs in Clean Energy
The USAID Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia, the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, and the Asian Development Bank announce a joint call for proposals for women entrepreneurs in clean energy. Selected woman entrepreneurs and organizations supporting the selected entrepreneurs will receive mentoring support from USAID PFAN-Asia with an aim to secure funding to up-scale their operations. The program is open to women entrepreneurs and organizations in the private sector and in public-private partnerships in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Smart Solutions for Adaptable Cities in Asia
The USAID Private Financing Advisory Network-Asia calls for proposal to advance “Smart Solutions for Adaptable Communities and Cities.” Examples of these solutions include apps on clean transport and pilot projects on climate-adaptable housing and buildings, water management, and waste management. Selected project developers, technology providers, innovators, and inventors will receive mentoring support from USAID PFAN-Asia with an aim to secure funding to up-scale their operations. Applications are invited from the private sector, and from public- private partnerships, in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link
Feed the Future — Data-Driven Farming Prize
The Data-Driven Farming Prize seeks tools and approaches that use data to help smallholder farmers improve their agricultural productivity and value. Feed the Future invites proposals for data-driven approaches to be tested in Nepal to improve the productivity of rice, other cereals, and vegetables. Eligibility to compete for the prize extends worldwide to individuals, groups, organizations, and companies — in all sources and sectors — particularly local innovators in South Asia. The judging panel will award two grants of US$100 thousand each, and two others of US$50 thousand each, to the proposals with highest potential. The deadline for applications is 06 April 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Off-Grid Solar Energy for Africa
The “Scaling Off-Grid Energy Grand Challenge for Development” (SOGE) seeks to provide 20 million households in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to modern, clean, and affordable off-grid electricity from solar sources. USAID welcomes applications from U.S. and non-U.S. private businesses and social enterprises that are solar manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. Grants will range from US$500 thousand to US$1.5 million. USAID requires a private financial commitment in the ratio of at least 2:1 to the amount of a grant. Funding Opportunity APS-OAA-16-000001-ADDENDUM-SOGE. The deadline for concept papers is 30 April 2017. Link
Bestseller Foundation — Enterprises in Agriculture and Environment
The Bestseller Foundation provides financial support for agricultural value chains and for enterprises based on sustainable environment in Southern and Eastern Africa, China, and India. The foundation invests mainly with commercial actors in for-profit projects by means of loans and equity. Nonprofit organizations and projects may sometimes be eligible if they have clear and commercially viable objectives. In some cases, the Foundation may consider grants or donations. Potential partners in the eligible regions contact the Foundation by telephone or email, and present a short concept note. Link
World Bank — Public-Private Infrastructure in Water, Energy, and Transportation
The World Bank’s Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) welcomes submissions on topics pertaining to private-sector participation in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and sub-national finance for energy, water, and transportation. PPIAF is looking for knowledge products that provide lessons learned or best practices which can be applied across countries and across regions. Proposals are strongly encouraged to include co-financing. Proposals with a focus on gender or climate change are also strongly encouraged. The deadline for submissions is 10 February 2017. Link
Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification — Collaboration Fund 2017
PEFC offers competitive grants in support of its mission to improve forest management and expand forest certification around the world. PEFC invites its members and other non-profit organizations to apply. Project partners may also include private and public-sector organizations. PEFC will consider proposals up to CHF 40 thousand for projects up to two years. Grantees must provide at least 35% co-funding. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2017. Link