The Rise Fund is partnering with Forbes and Echoing Green to sponsor the “Under 30 Impact Challenge.” The challenge is designed to celebrate entrepreneurs around the world, under the age of 30, who are building successful for-profit enterprises that drive positive social and environmental impact. The eligible sectors include energy, food and agriculture, and five others. Applicants must be under age 30, and their businesses must be in a growth phase. There are no restrictions by nationality or residence. The winner will qualify for an investment of US$250 thousand by The Rise Fund, plus an in-kind media grant by Forbes. The submission deadline is 06 September 2017.
energy
UNIDO Institute — Training Course on Sustainable Energy
UNIDO and the Energy Academy Europe (EAE) are organizing a training course for professionals to address key issues relating to sustainable energy. Participation is open to mid-level professionals from emerging and developing countries with expertise in industrial development, energy and environment, and other relevant fields. The 8-day course will provide participants the opportunity to familiarize themselves with trends in sustainable energy solutions. Training sessions and all materials will be in English (no translation will be provided). The number of participants is limited to 25 persons. Applications will be closed on 15 September 2017. Find out how to apply
Qatar National Research Fund — Qatar-UK Research Networking
The Qatar National Research Fund, in collaboration with UK partners, is launching the Qatar-UK Research Networking Programme. The joint programme is designed to support the participation of early-career researchers in workshops focusing on building links for future collaboration between Qatar and the UK. Thematic areas include energy and environment, among others. Workshop grants are up to US $50 thousand. The submission deadline is 28 September 2017. About the programme
Clean Energy Wire — Grants for Energy and Climate Journalism
Clean Energy Wire CLEW is offering grants for collaborative media teams on stories with international significance. Topics that explore the transition to clean energy, climate policy, and the shift to a low-carbon economy will be considered. Grants will be between €4 thousand and €6 thousand. Three journalist teams will be invited to the 2017 Clean Energy Wire CLEW Network Conference, which will take place in Bonn (November 2017). The application deadline is 15 September 2017. Visit the website
Tata Group — Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, 6th Edition
The Tata Group, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC), seeks to identify promising social enterprises in India. Proposals are invited for social enterprises in agriculture, water and sanitation, energy, and other thematic areas. The proposed enterprises should create social impact in India, although applicants do not have to be Indian nationals. The top three winners of the competition will win cash grants up to 2 lakhs each, to be invested in their ventures. Selected social entrepreneurs will be offered mentorship and an opportunity to be incubated at IIMC. The deadline for submitting impact proposals (business plans) is 30 September 2017. Link
Innovate UK — UK-Malaysia Urban Innovation Challenge 2017
Innovate UK is investing in projects that use cutting-edge solutions to improve cities in Malaysia. UK businesses can apply to work with Malaysian partners on collaborative technological solutions that address urban mobility, urban waste, and urban water management. Funding is up to £500 thousand per project. Registration closes on 30 August 2017. Link
Mission Innovation — Off-Grid Access to Electricity in India
The Off-Grid Access to Electricity Innovation Challenge will financially support studies, research, standards, capacity building, and technical assistance to improve affordable energy access for individuals and communities in India with no or limited access to grid connected power. Proposals are invited from qualified researchers and professionals in regular position at Indian institutions drawn from Indian academic and publicly-funded R&D laboratories. Proposals should range from US$100 thousand to US$1 million. The deadline to submit a notification of intent is 31 August 2017. Link
Energy and Environment Partnership, Mekong Region — 8th Call for Proposals
The Energy and Environment Partnership with the Mekong Region (EEP Mekong) announces its eighth call for proposals on clean energy. With financial support from the Government of Finland, EEP Mekong will support clean energy projects in the private sector that are close to commercial maturity, but that need a limited amount of bridge finance. Window 8A is for civil society organizations; Window 8B is for the private sector. Projects should be based in one of the following countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, or Vietnam. The minimum size of a proposed project is €250 thousand. The deadline for proposals is 31 August 2017. Link
British Council — UK-China PhD Placements
The UK-China Joint Research and Innovation Partnership Fund is a sponsorship opportunity for UK and Chinese PhD students and their supervisors to spend three to twelve months (for PhD students) and up to three months (for supervisors) at higher education institutions in China or the UK. The focus is on research areas that include food and water security, environmental technologies, and energy — among others. Applicants must find a host institution in their target country, and placements must start between January and December 2018. The application process closes on 20 September 2017. Link
Research Councils UK — Interdisciplinary Research Hubs to Address Intractable Challenges
Research Councils UK invites proposals from eligible UK research organisations to establish research hubs addressing currently intractable challenges faced by developing countries. Examples might include but are not restricted to achieving economic growth in an environmentally sustainable way while also ensuring social cohesion and adequate access to safe food, water, and services; development of resilient infrastructure and energy production in the context of climate change; achieving food security in ways that make agriculture, food production, and consumption more environmentally and economically sustainable; and urban development that fosters diversity whilst tackling air pollution and other environmental hazards. The intention to submit must be completed by 29 September 2017. Link