Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment and partners seek existing solutions that are changing behaviors to help solve the world’s most challenging environmental problems. For this year’s contest, Solutions Search looks for promising approaches that are shifting people’s behavior toward cleaner, healthier water ecosystems. Contest entrants get access to capacity building, workshops, and networking opportunities to further refine and scale their solution. The overall winner will receive US$25 thousand, among numerous other prizes, including a US$5 thousand prize awarded to the best early entrant (for submissions prior to 30 November). Any organization or institution worldwide is eligible (e.g., city government, business, non-profit, university, etc.). Individuals are not eligible to enter. The regular submission deadline is 10 January 2021. Access Solution Search
universities
World Vision — Sanitation Solutions
World Vision seeks affordable sanitation solutions for rural single families living in the poorest areas of the world. Applicants are invited to submit new ideas, concepts, and approaches to attack the lack of adequate toilets and latrines. The participants with the best solutions will receive financial support of up to US$15 thousand to further develop their ideas. Eligibility to the challenge is not restricted. Submissions must be received by 12 January 2021. More
Swiss National Science Foundation — Vietnamese-Swiss Joint Research Program
The Vietnamese-Swiss Joint Research Program enables researchers in Switzerland to carry out joint projects with research partners in Vietnam. The program supports ambitious research and innovative approaches in all areas of research. A maximum of CHF250 thousand per project will be available for the Swiss part for a project period of up to 3 years. Proposals have to be jointly prepared by Swiss and Vietnamese applicants. The closing date for application is 15 January 2021. Link to the call
IMMANA — Competitive Research Grants
The Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA) Competitive Research Grants support the development of innovative methods to advance the scientific understanding of the linkages between agriculture and food systems in order to improve nutrition outcomes in low and middle-income countries. IMMANA grants to conduct research projects are a maximum of £250 thousand. Researchers and institutions from both developed countries and LMICs are eligible. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 21 January 2021. IMMANA Grants
European Commission — Restoring Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
The European Commission invites proposals for the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Projects are expected to focus on degraded terrestrial, freshwater, coastal or marine ecosystems, responding to relevant restoration goals enhancing biodiversity. The project results are expected to contribute to maintained and enhanced natural carbon sinks and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission considers proposals requesting a contribution between €16-25 million. Research organizations in some 130 developing countries are automatically eligible for funding. The full list of these countries is provided in the call. The submission deadline is 26 January 2021. More information here
AI for Development — Technology to Achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
The AI for Development (AI4Dev) Challenge seeks ideas in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to achieve 4 Sustainable Development Goals (including Goal 2: Zero Hunger) in Arab & African countries. Teams of at least two members that research and develop AI innovations are invited to submit their idea. Selected participants will receive mentorship and training from experts, and guidance to develop prototypes. The challenge offers monetary prizes of up to US$5 thousand. The deadline to submit ideas is 17 November 2020. AI4Dev Challenge
BiodivERsA — Conservation and Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems
BiodivERsA announces a call for proposals for the “Conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems and their biodiversity, including a focus on aquatic systems.” The call aims to support transnational research projects jointly studying the biological processes of conservation/restoration and the benefits of restoring ecosystems. The participating countries in this call are Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and Tunisia. The total amount for this call is €23 million. Scientific research projects must be transnational research consortia with eligible partners from minimum 3 countries performed by eligible research organizations (profit and non-profit). Pre-proposals have to be submitted by 07 December 2020. More
UK Government — African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
The UK Government invites applications for agriculture knowledge transfer partnerships between UK registered higher education institutions or research organizations and African businesses or non-profit organizations. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme will support African knowledge bases in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in support of capacity building for sustainable agriculture and strategic innovation projects that tackle challenges in Africa. Each application must be led by a UK registered knowledge base, working with an African business partner and African knowledge base. Typically projects cost no more than £125 thousand per year. The application deadline for this scheme is 27 January 2021. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
British Council — Funding for Climate Challenge Workshops
The British Council offers grant funding for interdisciplinary research workshops on climate change. Researcher Links Climate Challenge (RLCC) grants are designed to provide financial support to host virtual research workshops for participants from the UK and partner countries (Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Egypt, and Brazil). Lead applicants are required to take an interdisciplinary approach by bringing together early career researchers from different fields. Workshops must take place before the end of August 2021. The application deadline is 27 November 2020. Link
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin (Cabo Verde)
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for large grants (up to US$110 thousand) for projects that support the conservation and preservation of biodiversity in coastal areas of Cabo Verde. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English and Portuguese. LOIs must be submitted by 30 November 2020. Access to CEPF