The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers grants to foreign citizens and Italian citizens living abroad for the academic year 2018-2019 in order to foster international cultural, scientific and technological cooperation. Grants are offered to pursue study, training, and/or research programs at Italian Higher Education Institutes. (Note: This may include one or more categories covered by the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Grantees will receive a €900 monthly allowance on a quarterly basis and health insurance. Applicants must provide a certificate of their proficiency in Italian language (not required for courses entirely taught in English). Applications must be submitted by 30 April 2018. About the program and how to apply
energy
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research — Small Grants Program
The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research calls for projects that focus on the role of ecosystem services in adaptation to global change for human wellbeing. The IAI will provide funds of up to US$ 200 thousand for international collaborative research networks for 2 years. Co-funding is required to be considered for this grant. The call is organized in a 2-phase selection process. Applicants should submit an initial pre-proposal. Selected candidates will then take part in a week-long proposal writing workshop and develop full proposals. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is 27 May 2018. Check eligibility
Access Power — Renewable Energy in Africa
Access Power is a developer, owner, and operator of power projects in emerging markets, focusing on Africa and the Middle East. The 2018 edition of the Access Co-Development Facility (ACF) will provide US$7 million to support up to three projects in renewable energy in Africa. Submitted projects must be located in Africa; use a commercially proven technology for power generation; and be based on renewable energy or hybrid power generation. Short-listed applicants will take part in a final selection round in Copenhagen during the Africa Energy Forum (June 2018). The submission period closes on 08 May 2018. Link
FIRE Africa — Women Empowerment and Community Networks
The FIRE Africa Grants support new projects from organisations led by female entrepreneurs focusing on practical solution(s) that use technology to address specific challenges faced by women and girls. Selected projects will receive up to US$15 thousand and benefit from a series of institutional strengthening and capacity building activities aimed at providing the knowledge, tools and contacts needed to further advance successful initiatives. Projects from African-based public or private sector organizations, universities, or research and development institutions, and non-government organizations will be considered. Grants applications close 06 April 2018. More
Tata Trusts — Social Alpha Energy Challenge
The first edition of the Social Alpha Energy Challenge (SAEC) invites individuals and start-ups with innovative technology solutions across the entire energy life cycle to apply to the Social Alpha Energy Challenge. Up to ten winners will be awarded 6-18 months of intense mentoring at the upcoming Tata Smart Energy Incubation Center. The Challenge calls for innovations across the entire energy lifecycle and is open to energy application in all use cases including (but not limited to) households, agriculture, biofuels, and others. The contest is open to individuals, teams or companies. The deadline for application is 07 April 2018. Details here
Western Union — Scholarship for Undergraduate Study
The Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program is a program designed to support young people and their efforts to pursue a post-secondary education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or business/entrepreneurship. Selected scholarship recipients will receive USD $2,500 each to contribute toward tuition at an accredited post-secondary institution. All applicants for scholarships must be between the ages of 18 – 26 years of age. The application period closes 13 April 2018. About the scholarship
GSMA — Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund
The GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund will support projects that use mobile technologies to improve access to energy, water, and/or sanitation services for underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. Applications are welcome from mobile network operators and mobile tower companies in partnerships with service providers for energy, water, and sanitation. Grants are up to £250 thousand. The deadline for concept notes is 15 April 2018. Find the details here
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland — Southern African Innovation Support Programme
SAIS 2 provides grants to projects that seek to pilot, demonstrate and replicate concepts and prototypes before rolling them out to the market. (Note: this may include one or more thematic areas of the Terra Viva Grants directory). The objective is to support entrepreneurship and early-stage entrepreneurs as well as to strengthen the cooperation amongst innovation organizations in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Innovation support organizations from research/academia, civil society and private sector are encouraged to apply. The deadline for proposals is 25 April 2018. Find out more
USAID — Young Women Transform Prize
USAID will support youth in developing countries to develop their own solutions to advance the economic empowerment of young women in their communities. Prizes of $15 – $35 thousand will be awarded to grassroots youth-led or youth-serving organizations in low- or middle-income countries to address long-standing barriers to young women’s employment. Applications are due by 30 April 2018. Details
European Commission — Sustainable Development in Africa
The European Commission supports civil society organizations and local authorities in Gabon and in São Tomé and Príncipe in the conduct of good governance and sustainable development. Proposed projects must strengthen the capacities of active civil society organizations in the fields of economic development, the environment, innovation and the business sector, with specific attention to women. The grant amount ranges from € 600 thousand to € 1 million. The deadline for submitting applications is 15 May 2018. Find the call for proposals