The UNWTO Sustainable Development Goals Global Startup Competition seeks innovative startups that directly contribute to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The competition features 17 categories, each one representing a Sustainable Development Goal. Startups from all over the world and all economic sectors are invited to participate. The winning startups receive a pitch at a UNWTO Demo Day, capacity and business development training, access to technological support, and connection to the UNWTO Innovation Network. The deadline for candidatures is 20 September 2020. Link to the competition
training/education
Rothamsted International — International Fellowships
Rothamsted International is a nonprofit organization to advance sustainable agriculture in developing countries. The Rothamsted International Fellowship Scheme aims to promote the exchange of vital agricultural research skills between Rothamsted Research and scientists from low- to middle- income countries. The scheme will support up to 20 fellows for 6-12 months as visiting researchers in the UK. The deadline for applications is 28 September 2020. Know more
World Forest Center — International Fellowship Program
The International Fellowship Program in forestry hosts foresters and other natural resource professionals from around the world for 6 months on campus in Oregon (USA). Applicants propose research topics (e.g., urban forest inventory, biomass supply-chain, carbon policy, forestry regulation, conservation finance, etc.) that include elements from their home countries and the USA’s Pacific Northwest. Fellows also engage in professional networking and visitations. The World Forestry Center offers fellowships that cover 50% of the program fees. The application deadline is 15 October 2020. Find the fellowship
U.S. Mission to South Africa — Empowering Girls in STEM
The U.S. Mission to South Africa announces an open competition for non-profit organizations and academic institutions to submit applications to develop and implement a program that will encourage young women in South Africa to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The project should focus on girls between the ages of 8 to 13 and recruit female scientists who can talk about their own careers and experiences as professionals while serving as mentors and presenters. The total program funding is US$12 thousand. Applications have to be submitted by 15 July 2020. Link
EIT Food — Empowering Women in Agrifood
The Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) Program offers training, mentoring, business coaching and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector. Up to 50 women entrepreneurs will participate in a 6-months educational program tailored to female-specific challenges regarding entrepreneurship. Furthermore, EWA will provide financial assistance of up to €10 thousand in the form of prizes. The program will be implemented it in Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Turkey. Applications open until 15 June 2020. Hurry
U.S. Department of Agriculture — Regional Food Safety in Africa
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to support the efforts of economic communities in West African in establishing a food safety network. Through this call, USDA seeks partners with whom to collaborate in the implementation of concrete capacity building projects and programs. The initial award is US$500 thousand, but additional funding of up to US$500 thousand may be added at a later stage. Eligibility is limited to U.S. State Cooperative Institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States. The closing date for applications is 01 July 2020. Details here
U.S. Department of State — Reducing Ocean Pollution in West Africa
The U.S. Department of State announces funding for capacity building with the aim to support the environmentally sound management of plastic waste in West Africa to reduce ocean pollution. A grant for up to US$179 thousand for work that will support a developing country in West Africa (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, or Togo) to combat plastic waste leakage in the environment through improving waste. Eligibility is limited to U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations and academic institutions, as well as public international organizations. The closing date for applications is 31 July 2020. Link
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency — Workshop: Climate Change – Mitigation and Adaptation in Eastern and Southern Africa
Sida funds short-term training in selected development topics for participants from developing countries. The international training program “Climate Change – Mitigation and Adaptation” has a strong focus on agriculture and water resources, planning and communication of climate information. The course is designed for individuals who have key positions in organizations related to national, regional or local community planning, and who are actively involved in strategic decision making. Participants have to be nominated by government organizations, private companies or NGOs in Kenya, Sudan, Mozambique, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. The training program consists of three compulsory phases. Phase 1 will take place in Mozambique (March 2021), Phase 2 will take place in Sweden (April 2021), Phase 3 will take place in Eastern and/or Southern Africa (September 2021). All training costs associated with the workshop, including international travel, will be covered by Sida. Closing date for applications is 09 August 2020. More
CRDF Global — Biorisk Management
CRDF Global announces the Biorisk Management Engagement Grant (BMEG) Competition. The goal of the competition is to provide support for biorisk management activities, such as laboratory design, repairs and maintenance of equipment, workshops and trainings at academic and industrial institutions in the MENA region. Projects related to challenges posed by Covid-19 will also be considered. Finalists will be awarded US$9 thousand. Only applications from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey will be accepted. The application deadline is 30 June 2020. Link
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Graduate Teaching Assistantships
RUFORUM’s program for Graduate Training Assistantships (GTA) grants support for 325 PhD training opportunities during the next four years. The GTA aims to improve the quality of higher education and increase the pool of PhD academic staff in RUFORUM’s member universities by facilitating cross-university PhD studies and teaching. Applicants need to be nominated for PhD training by his/her university. RUFORUM Secretariat assists in facilitating placement of the nominated staff to universities with the appropriate fields of the required training. The GTA accepts rolling applications (no deadline). Link