The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks smart farming solutions that leverage digital technology innovations that have the potential to drive positive impact for small-scale producer entrepreneurs. There are two grant types – Seed Grants (up to US$250 thousand) and Scale-Up Grants (up to US$1.5 million) – each with its own requirements detailed in the announcement. The Foundation will prioritize applicants who partner with organizations interested in smart farming in low- and middle-income countries. Applicants should be part of a consortium consisting of several types of organizations, such as enterprise technology platforms, enterprise agriculture, ag-tech startups, research organizations, national and international NGOs and farmer-based organizations, government and international organizations. The application deadline is 25 February 2021. Details here
governments
Columbia Center on Sustainable Development — Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture
Columbia University invites applications for a training course on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture. Due to the current global situation, the 2021 training program will be held virtually, not in-person. The training will be made freely available to accepted participants from non-profit organizations and government officials from low- and middle-income countries. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis until 31 March 2021. About the training program
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
Cambodia Climate Change Alliance — Innovation Responding to Climate Change
The Cambodia Climate Change Alliance (CCCA) offers grants in support of Cambodia’s national priorities on climate change. The CCCA expects to award grants in amounts between US$50 thousand and US$100 thousand. Proposed projects should include innovative elements (technology or processes) and demonstrate a clear understanding of barriers to the adoption and scaling-up of the proposed innovation(s). The program is open to government ministries or agencies; NGOs (local and international based in Cambodia); and universities (based in Cambodia). The closing date for concept notes is 27 November 2020. Find information
European Union and Republic of Turkey — Climate Change Adaptation Grant Program
The European Union and the Republic of Turkey invite concept notes for participation in the Climate Change Adaptation Grant Program (CCAGP). Projects should target the overall objective of enhancing climate change adaptation in Turkey through actions that improve resilience of communities and cities, protect natural resources and ecosystems and enhance adaptation capacity of vulnerable economic sectors. Grants requested under this call can range between €50 thousand and €450 thousand. Eligibility extends to local and international nonprofit organizations, universities, municipalities or local authorities. The application deadline for submission of concept notes is 30 November 2020. More info
European Commission — Overseas Biodiversity and Climate Change
BEST 2.0+ promotes the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of ecosystem services, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, in the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Pacific, Polar and Subpolar, and South Atlantic regions. Local authorities and civil society organizations are invited to submit projects with focus on local development, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services. The maximum grants amount is €60 thousand over a period of 19 months. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 22 October 2020. BEST 2.0+
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Arctic Goose Joint Venture
The Arctic Goose Joint Venture (AGJV) makes grants for projects and studies that provide and improve scientific information to support and promote effective management, monitoring, and conservation of northern-nesting geese. The AGJV welcomes modest funding requests of up to US$150 thousand for projects of mainly one to three years. Applications are encouraged from nonprofit organizations, educational organizations, governments, and individual companies. This program may provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States. The deadline for proposals is 20 November 2020. Link to Arctic Goose Joint Venture
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Biodiversity Information for Development: Pacific
The Biodiversity Information for Development program aims to enhance capacity for effective mobilization and use of biodiversity data in support of decision- and policymaking for sustainable development in the Pacific region. GBIF offers support for four types of projects: (1) Regional biodiversity data mobilization to establish or strengthen international collaborations (maximum funding: €120 thousand for projects involving three or more countries); (2) National biodiversity data mobilization to respond to national priorities (maximum funding: €40 thousand); (3) Institution-level biodiversity data mobilization to mobilize biodiversity data relevant for sustainable development (maximum funding: €20 thousand); and (4) Data-use grants that build on existing relationships to provide data solutions that respond to a specific policy need (maximum funding: €60 thousand). Applicants must be legal entities such as government agencies, natural history museums, research institutes, universities, or NGOs located in the Pacific. Concept notes must be submitted by 26 November 2020. BID Pacific
United Nations Institute for Training and Research — Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Women
The UNITAR Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Women aims to empower women with the knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship to address socio-economic challenges in Africa. The training will be delivered in English and consists of mentoring, pitching, planning, and outcome evaluation. This program is open for women, including members of small and medium enterprises, government agencies and academic institutions, from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan. Applications will be received until 06 September 2020. Link to Women Entrepreneurship
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Global South Rural Poverty Alleviation
The China-IFAD South-South and Triangular Cooperation Facility supports the generation and exchange of innovative solutions that can be of value in the post-COVID-19 recovery period and provide a benefit to poor rural people. The grant amount will range between US$200-500 thousand for a maximum duration of two years. Project proposals have to be developed in collaboration with national governments or local organizations in developing countries, and reflect the priorities of the COVID-19 response package of national governments. The application deadline is 31 October 2020. More information