The Food Systems Game Changers Lab supports game-changers who have ideas, initiatives, or innovations that have the potential to bring positive change to global food systems. The Lab will offer facilitation, learning resources, expert coaching, live sessions, and tailored mentorship programs. Participants are not required to be registered as a legal entity (company, nonprofit, government) and can submit solutions as an individual or a team. Ideas have to be submitted before 14 May 2021. Link to the Lab
Ilka Westermeyer
United States Agency for International Development — Biodiversity Conservation in Liberia
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities in Liberia to implement the Conservation Works activity. The goal of the activity is to conserve biodiversity and threatened species, especially western chimpanzees, by strengthening Protected Areas (PA) and helping communities be less reliant on protected resources for their livelihoods. USAID intends to provide US$19.5 million in total USAID funding over a five-year period. Eligibility for this call is not restricted. The closing date for applications is 25 May 2021. Click here for details
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization — African World Heritage Day 2021
UNESCO invites project proposals for raising awareness and engagement of youth in the protection and promotion of African World Heritage. The competition targets youth, aged 18 to 35 years, in 13 Eastern African countries (Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda). Proposals from NGOs or institutions are not eligible. Proposals must include a detailed budget breakdown for a total amount up to US$5 thousand. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2021. Link to the open competition for youth
U.S. Department of State — Stop Illegal Trafficking of Live Animals
The U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to improve governments’ capacity to interdict illegal wildlife products and to handle confiscated live animals. Awards may range from US$300 thousand to US$1 million. Applicants may propose work in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. However, this call will prioritize proposals with activities in countries with wildlife detection dog units including, but not limited to, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. The intended target audiences for this program are law enforcement, border control, customs, wildlife authorities, prosecutors, judges, and other relevant government ministries. The closing date for applications is 11 June 2021. Link
U.S. Department of State — Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Mekong
The U.S. Department of State seeks applications from organizations to support women’s economic empowerment in the Mekong through providing financial literacy training and support. This project should increase the access of women entrepreneurs and business owners to financing, market opportunities, and training to help establish and grow their micro, small, or medium enterprises. The Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs anticipates having approximately $395 thousand of economic support funds available to support one successful application. EAP welcomes applications from non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. The closing date for applications is 15 June 2021. Link
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation — Distributed Renewable Energy
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) seeks to finance economically sustainable Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) projects, including but not limited to micro and mini grids, solar home systems, and distributed power generation. DFC aims to help vulnerable populations in low-income and middle-income countries to develop robust sustainable renewable energy and electricity access systems led by private investors. DFC seeks to commit up to US$100 million in approximately 3-10 projects in direct financing or other investment support for DRE-related investments. Priority will be given to those projects that provide individuals, businesses, or public institutions with the highest levels of electricity access. Applications are due 18 June 2021. Know more
United States Agency for International Development — Enhancing WASH in Ghana
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Enhancing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Activity. The goal of the activity is to increase access to sustainable WASH services in districts located in six regions of northern Ghana. USAID intends to provide US$39 million in total USAID funding over a five-year period. Eligibility for this call is not restricted and is open to all entities that can meet the requirements. The closing date for applications is 28 June 2021. Link to details
Blue Action Fund — Africa’s Atlantic Coast
The Blue Action Fund announces a new open call for grant proposals focusing on Africa’s Atlantic coast from Morocco to South Africa. The Fund provides individual grants to selected conservation projects with focus on marine protected areas (MPAs) to support conservation of biodiversity, and projects that seek to enhance livelihood conditions and food security. The Fund will award grants of €1-3 million. Eligible applicants are NGOs with proven experience in coastal and marine conservation and sustainable livelihood development in the area. NGOs must provide match funding of at least 25% of the total project costs. The deadline for submission is 16 July 2021. Link to the call
Future Agro Challenge — Agripreneur Global Championship
The Future Agro Challenge (FAC) is a global competition for food and agribusiness startups. Ideas and ventures will be selected to compete for the title of “Agripreneur of the Year.” The challenge is open to ideas in many areas such as agroforestry, sustainability, agriculture tourism, and others. Selected agripreneurs will gain access to mentors, investors, potential clients, and new market opportunities at the FAC Global Championships, an event at the Global Agripreneurs Summit. The application deadline is 31 August 2021. Application deadline and procedure may vary across countries, please check carefully. Link
Deutsches Museum in Munich — Scholar-in-Residence Program
The Deutsches Museum in Munich offers scholarships to research scholars interested in working for 6-12 months on projects involving the museum’s collections. The museum for innovative research focuses on scientific processes and the changing cultures of technology including Natural Sciences, such as Astronomy, Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. Applicants have to base their projects on the collections of the Deutsches Museum and cooperate closely with museum staff when formulating their research proposals. The museum offers two types of scholar-in residence stipends: Pre-doctoral stipends of €7,500 (six months) or €15 thousand (full year); and Post-doctoral stipends of €15 thousand (six months) or €30 thousand (full year). There are no restrictions regarding nationality. The application deadline is 15 October 2021. Scholar-in-Residence Program