VGIF provides grants up to US$7,500 for projects that are led by women, and that help empower women and girls in grassroots communities around the globe. Most grants are for one year. Past projects include examples in farming, kitchen gardens, water supply, and other aspects of sustaining local livelihoods. VGIF will accept letters of intent through 02 October 2017. Find the guidelines here
water
Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — Water for Women in Asia-Pacific Countries
The Water for Women Fund aims to improve health, gender equality, and well-being of Asian and Pacific communities. Australia’s DFAT invites proposals for projects from civil society and not-for-profit organisations that promote access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The eligible countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. Grants are expected to range from AUD$2.5 million to AUD$10 million over five years. The application deadline is 06 October 2017. Find the request for proposals
Tata Group — Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, 6th Edition
The Tata Group, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC), seeks to identify promising social enterprises in India. Proposals are invited for social enterprises in agriculture, water and sanitation, energy, and other thematic areas. The proposed enterprises should create social impact in India, although applicants do not have to be Indian nationals. The top three winners of the competition will win cash grants up to 2 lakhs each, to be invested in their ventures. Selected social entrepreneurs will be offered mentorship and an opportunity to be incubated at IIMC. The deadline for submitting impact proposals (business plans) is 30 September 2017. Link
Innovate UK — UK-Malaysia Urban Innovation Challenge 2017
Innovate UK is investing in projects that use cutting-edge solutions to improve cities in Malaysia. UK businesses can apply to work with Malaysian partners on collaborative technological solutions that address urban mobility, urban waste, and urban water management. Funding is up to £500 thousand per project. Registration closes on 30 August 2017. Link
Human Development Innovation Fund — Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Tanzania
The Human Development Innovation Fund seeks to fund innovative projects in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Tanzania. Projects should increase demand, uptake and sustainability of improved sanitation facilities through innovative financing mechanisms, technology, and behavior change promotion. The lead applicant should be an organization based in Tanzania. Support for pilot and scale-up projects is between £500 thousand and £1 million. The application deadline is 08 September 2017. Link
Netherlands Enterprise Agency — Sustainable Water Fund, Round 2
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency manages the Sustainable Water Fund (FDW) as a public-private partnership for water safety and water security in developing countries. Projects are collective initiatives between governmental bodies, industries, and NGOs. The thematic areas are improved access to drinking water and sanitation (including solid waste); efficient and sustainable water use, particularly for agriculture; and safe deltas and improved basin management. The deadline for concept notes (second round) is 08 December 2017. Link
Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum — Water Advanced Research and Innovation Fellowships
The Water Advanced Research and Innovation Fellowships fund Indian participants to gain exposure and access to research facilities in water resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Daugherty Water for Food Institute. Fellowships of three to twelve months are for Indian scientists holding a PhD in water science and engineering. Internships of three to six months are for individuals currently engaged in their PhD studies in water sciences in India. The application deadline is 31 August 2017. Link
UK Department for International Development — Postdoctoral African Fellowship in Hydro-Economics
REACH is a 7-year programme funded by the UK’s Department for International Development, and led by the University of Oxford, to promote research in water science, policy, and practice. REACH will fund a postdoctoral African to develop a hydro-economic tool or model that can be used by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity to address water economics in the important Awash Basin. Applicants must be nationals of a Sub-Sahara African country and should hold a PhD at the time of application.The available funding is up to £60 thousand through March 2019. The deadline for applications is 11 September 2017. Link
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