The USISTEF announces its 9th competitive call for proposals to commercialize technologies for societal impact. Priority areas include health, education, agriculture, water, and others. Proposals must include at least one partner from each country, India and USA. Funding is up to Rs. 2.5 crores (approximately US$400 thousand) for projects that demonstrate a high potential to be commercial within 2-3 years. The bi-national teams can include incorporated companies; non-incorporated entities; and individuals or consortia from academic, government, and non-government R&D institutions. The deadline for full proposals is 15 June 2018. Link
South Asia
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation — Grants for Climate and Energy
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation makes grants to solve social and environmental problems in the USA and internationally. The Foundation’s grant making for its environmental sub-program in Climate and Energy makes grants to strengthen global climate policy. The Foundation also funds improvements in transportation to reduce air pollution — focusing on China, India, Europe, and the United States. Most of Hewlett’s grants are by invitation. However, the Foundation accepts letters of inquiry (LOIs) in certain programs — including Climate and Energy. LOIs can be submitted at any time. Link
United States Government — Science Prize for Women
The 2018 ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women seeks to identify and recognize ASEAN-based, early to mid-career women who are using applied sciences to solve agricultural challenges. The top two finalists will be invited to compete in a pitch competition during an ASEAN Ministerial event in the Philippines in October 2018. The overall winner will receive $20 thousand. Eligibility extends to female scientists from any ASEAN member state under the age of 40. Applications are accepted until 06 May 2018. Know more
British Council — Newton Fund Researcher Links Regional Workshops
Newton Fund Researcher Links Regional Workshops bring together early-career researchers from the UK and other regional partner countries to allow them to make international connections that can improve the quality of their research. The programme intends to tackle global challenges – such as climate and environment, sustainable energy, water and sanitation, rural and urban development, and food safety among others. Regional Workshops can be proposed between the UK and Brazil, China, India, Jordan, and Peru. The application deadline is 08 June 2018. More about the application process
British Council — Newton Fund Workshop Grants
Newton Researcher Links Workshops bring together early-career researchers from the UK and a partner country to make international connections that can improve the quality of their research. Priority will be given to the following research areas: Agriculture; Climate Change; Sustainable Energy; Water and Sanitation, among others. The current call is for bilateral workshops of 3-5 days. Regional Workshops can be proposed between the UK and Brazil, China, India, Jordan, and Peru. The application deadline is 08 June 2018. More about the Workshop Grants
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education — Fellowship for Water Professionals
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs is partnering with the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education to fund masters degrees and short courses at Delft University of Technology for water professionals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The 18 month MSc programmes include 6 months’ field based research, to be conducted preferably on specific problems in the home country of the participant.The project aims to strengthen the capacity of professionals and decision makers to improve water management in SIDS, and to better address challenges such as coping with climate change. The program announces short courses open to applicants from Africa, Asia, the Pacific region and the Caribbean (countries can be found in the announcement). To be considered for a SIDS fellowship, applicants must apply for admission to an MSc specialization before 1 July 2018. More
U.S. Department of State — Combat Wildlife Trafficking in South Asia
The U.S. Department of State seeks to build civilian law enforcement capabilities to combat wildlife crime in South Asia. The aim is to strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks; build investigative and enforcement capacity; and enhance prosecutorial and judicial capacity. The focus countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Eligibility for funding extends to nonprofit NGOs and educational institutions in the USA and other countries, including consortia of local and non-local organizations. Requested grants should range from US$500 thousand to a maximum of US$2 million. The closing date for applications is 22 May 2018. Find the announcement
DAAD and SEARCA — In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme
DAAD offers scholarships for PhD and Master studies. The scholarships are intended for graduate and postgraduate students from South East Asia who want to pursue Master’s or PhD courses in sustainable agricultural and rural development in their home country (In-Country scholarships) or in another South East Asia country (In-Region scholarships). DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship holders are also encouraged to apply for a research grant in Germany for 2 up to 6 months. The scholarship covers tuition; study and research allowance; food, lodging and incidental expenses; travel; and insurance. Female applicants are especially encouraged to participate. Deadline for the submission of applications is 01 April 2018. Find detailed information
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
International Development Research Centre — Accelerating Climate Action
The IDRC seeks proposals on “Accelerating Climate Action: Social Equity and Empowerment of Women and Girls”. Research projects should produce knowledge which facilitates the scaling and financing of socially-transformative climate action, focussing on the resilience and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities in the developing world. The Applicant must be a research-oriented organization from academia, the private or public sector (e.g., university, government department, NGO) based in Asia, Africa or Latin America. The expected funding per project is C$500 thousand for 36 months. The deadline for applications is 23 April 2018. Find details