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
energy
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
UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council — Energy Networks in Developing Countries
The UK’s EPSRC invites research proposals that address the energy distribution challenges faced by developing countries. Proposals to this call must focus on sustainable local energy networks, including off-grid to grid transitions. Principal investigators must represent UK research institutions. Appropriate collaborators in one or more low- or middle-income countries are a mandatory requirement. Applicants should submit an expression of interest by 17 August 2017. Link
French Institute for Development Research — Support for International Research Teams 2017
The French Institute for Development Research (IRD) announces funding to support multidisciplinary international teams (laboratoires mixtes internationaux, LMI) to undertake research that corresponds to IRD’s thematic priorities. These priorities vary by geographical region to include food production and security; plant-health relationships; water resources; energy resources; ecosystems and biodiversity; natural risks; and others. The maximum funding for a LMI is €40 thousand per year. The deadline for proposals is 15 July 2017. Link
British Council — Research Workshops
The British Council announces workshops that convene UK researchers with partners in other countries. Among the workshops that have deadlines beyond the date of this posting are: China, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (deadline 30 June 2017); Mexico, sustainable aquatic resources (deadline 30 June 2017); Turkey, offshore wind and wave energy (deadline 30 June 2017); India, closed loop green technologies for rural development (deadline 14 July 2017); China, erosion control and sustainable energy in green port development (deadline 15 July 2017); South Africa, post-harvest systems using renewable and sustainable energy (deadline 16 July 2017); Brazil, biological soft matter science in agri-food systems (deadline 21 July 2017); India, waste heat harvesting (deadline 01 September 2017); Malaysia, climate resilience and urban infrastructure (deadline 14 September 2017). The site lists additional workshops in additional subject areas. Link
Hogan Lovells — Community Solar Innovation Awards 2017
The 2017 Community Solar Innovation Awards will honor innovative enterprises that utilise solar energy to improve the lives of poor communities in the developing world. Hogan Lovells will make ten awards to businesses and non-profit organizations in developing countries which are locally-led and which use solar energy systems or solar innovations to significantly help the lives of women and girls. The winners will receive support services consisting of capacity building, pro bono legal support, publicity, and support in replicating the enterprises in other regions. One overall winner will receive US$10 thousand. The application deadline is 16 August 2017. Link
ENEA Access — Energy Initiatives in Africa, 2nd Call
The ENEA Access Program offers 30 to 100 days of professional consulting services on a pro-bono basis to advance initiatives for energy access in Africa. The program is relevant for nonprofit organizations and NGOs, technology developers, and social entrepreneurs. Activities that can be considered for ENEA’s support include feasibility studies, market and business models, implementation of pilot projects, and others. Projects must clearly contribute to the reduction of poverty and/or climate change as a result of improved access to energy. Projects must be located in at least one of the continental African countries or surrounding associated islands. There are no restrictions regarding the home country of the applying organization. The closing date for ENEA’s second call for proposals in 2017 is 31 July. Link
Private Financing Advisory Network — Climate and Clean Energy in Asia
The Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) announces the Project Development and Financing Initiative for Climate and Clean Energy in Asia. PFAN provides coaching support to produce business plans for projects and businesses in clean energy. After the coaching phase, these projects will be eligible for financial mobilization, follow-up support, and deal-making facilitation. Some qualified mature projects will have the opportunity to present to potential investors at the Asia Forum for Climate and Clean Energy Financing in Singapore in 2018. The application deadline is 19 July 2017. Link
French Institute for Development Research — Building Capacity in Research Teams 2017
Through its program JEAI, France’s Institute for Development Research makes grants of up to €50 thousand for periods of three years to build the capacity of research teams in the developing world. Thematic areas include sustainable energy; water resources; climate change; ecosystems and biodiversity; agriculture and food safety; and several others. The supported teams will work closely with IRD. IRD recommends that applicants communicate with its relevant research units before submitting their applications. The deadline for applications (French, English) is 26 July 2017. Link