The Innovation for Change (I4C) Hub supports organizations from Latin America and Caribbean that work to strengthen civil society through innovation. RACI provides seed funding to local, national and regional organizations for innovative movements and initiatives that creatively tackle community challenges related to one or more of the following areas: Sustainability; Transparency and accountability; Promoting an enabling environment. Projects should last up to 4 months. The Fund will provide up to US$10 thousand per project. Only non-for-profit civil society organizations can apply. The deadline to apply is 26 March 2021. Link to the Innovation Fund
energy
WASCAL — International Master’s Program in Energy
The International Master’s Program in Energy and Green Hydrogen Technology (IMP-EGH) aims to prepare young innovators to address the energy challenges of adaptation and resilience to climate change in West Africa. The West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) offers scholarships to students from all West African countries with Bsc in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering and related fields. African MSc students. The application deadline is 30 April 2021. Find more information
U.S. Department of State — Small Grants Program
The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan invites applications for the Small Grants Program. Priority focus will be given to projects that focus on countering human trafficking, addressing air quality, and promoting renewable energy. Non-governmental and/or non-profit organizations registered in Kazakhstan are eligible for this program. Awards are between US$10 thousand and US$50 thousand. The current application deadline is 30 April 2021. More
Investors Hub — Global Investors Hub Challenge 2021
The Investors Hub accepts applications for the Global Investors Hub Challenge 2021. Startups, entrepreneurs and companies can join the competition to get financial help, mentorship and networking opportunities for their business sector or social impact projects. The projects should have the capacity to create employment in alignment with 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This challenge is open for everyone around the world in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America and North America. Winners will be given an opportunity of a bankroll from a Venture Capital Fund with the investment size of US$ 5 thousand to US$500 thousand, depending on the nature of their project. Application must be submitted by 31 May 2021. Follow the link to the website
United Nations — Innovations to Advance the SDGs
United Nations, in collaboration with Global Innovation Exchange, seeks applications for the 2021 Call for Innovations for a chance to be featured at the UN’s virtual STI Forum (May 2021). Innovations should address COVID-19-associated disruptions that will remain relevant beyond the pandemic to help accelerate progress towards one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The call is open to innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Applications will be accepted until 26 March 2021. Click here
University of Essex — Africa Scholarship Programme 2021-2022
The University of Essex invites applications from African students who self fund their postgraduate studies. The university offers a scholarship of £4 thousand to African students that will be paid as a discount on the tuition fee. Available courses include biological sciences, marine biology, and biochemistry, among many others. Applicants that meet all the eligibility criteria and firmly accept the offer of their place by 18 September 2021 will automatically be awarded this scholarship (please read the instructions carefully). Find out how it works
Inter-American Development Bank — Venture Capital Fund
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) seeks to impact development and support social inclusion with a special focus on poor and vulnerable populations across Latin America and the Caribbean through bridging grants and investments in early-stage entrepreneurs. IDB Lab invites investment management firms to apply for VC funds. Fund managers who wish to participate in the selection process must primarily invest in nascent or emerging early-stage ecosystems in LAC and specialize in high-impact investments and sectors with pronounced structural capital gaps, such as Health/Biotech, Edtech/Workertech, Agtech/Foodtech and Climatetech. Early-stage investment funds are a minimum of US$20 thousand. Proposals will be received on a rolling basis, with quarterly reviews. Venture Capital Fund
Impact-R — Energy, WASH and Food Security Nexus
Impact-Driven & Action-Based Research (Impact-R) invites microfinance institutions, NGOs, cooperatives, and technology providers with a strong social mission working in developing countries to conduct household data collection studies. The purpose of the studies is to investigate the nexus between access to energy, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and food security, through a detailed needs/market assessment at the household level. Selected institutions will receive support for the field staff involved in the data collection and will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading research institutions. In addition, Impact-R will offer scholarships for desk research. Eligibility extends to institutions working in rural regions in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The application deadline has been extended to 25 February 2021. Impact-Driven & Action-Based Research
French-African Foundation — Young Leaders 2021
The French-African Foundation invites applications for Young Leaders 2021. The program recognizes and supports young leaders to become true agents of change in relation to global challenges. Candidates must be between 28 and 40 years old and have French nationality or the nationality of an African country. Successful candidates will spend five days in France, five days in Senegal, engage in high-level meetings and receive training and mentorship. Flights and accommodation will be provided. The deadline for applications is 21 March 2021. About the program
Dutch Research Council — Local Energy Systems
Samenwerking China (NSFC) and Dutch Research Council (NWO) invite researchers from knowledge institutions from The Netherlands and China to submit proposals for research on the transition towards sustainable and social local energy districts. The call focuses on sustainable urbanisation and the transition to sustainable energy at the local level. Eligibility extends to research consortia composed of researchers based in The Netherlands and in China. Consortia can apply for a maximum of €700 thousand from NWO and a maximum of ¥4 million from NSFC. The deadline for this call for proposals is 11 May 2021. Link