United Nations, in collaboration with Global Innovation Exchange, seeks applications for the 2021 Call for Innovations for a chance to be featured at the UN’s virtual STI Forum (May 2021). Innovations should address COVID-19-associated disruptions that will remain relevant beyond the pandemic to help accelerate progress towards one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The call is open to innovators, scientists, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Applications will be accepted until 26 March 2021. Click here
Ilka Westermeyer
Volkswagen Foundation — Funding for Young Researchers
Through its program ‘Freigeist’ the Volkswagen Foundation seeks open-minded, strong and resistant young researchers with innovative ideas from all around the world. The ‘Freigeist’ scheme is open to all disciplines and research topics and offers the opportunity to establish a career within a scientific research organization or university in Germany. Eligibility extends to junior researchers (up to 4 years of postdoctoral experience). Depending on the field of research and career experience, projects in a total amount of up to €2.2 million for up to 5 years may be granted. The deadline for applications is 01 April 2021. Detailed information here
Neotropical Ornithological Society — François Vuilleumier Grants
The Francois Vuilleumier Fund awards cash grants for thesis studies of neotropical birds to students from Latin America and the Caribbean. Awards are US$500 to US$1000. Students enrolled in a graduate degree program (Masters or Ph.D.) are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 15 September of each year. Here
University of Essex — Africa Scholarship Programme 2021-2022
The University of Essex invites applications from African students who self fund their postgraduate studies. The university offers a scholarship of £4 thousand to African students that will be paid as a discount on the tuition fee. Available courses include biological sciences, marine biology, and biochemistry, among many others. Applicants that meet all the eligibility criteria and firmly accept the offer of their place by 18 September 2021 will automatically be awarded this scholarship (please read the instructions carefully). Find out how it works
Inter-American Development Bank — Venture Capital Fund
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) seeks to impact development and support social inclusion with a special focus on poor and vulnerable populations across Latin America and the Caribbean through bridging grants and investments in early-stage entrepreneurs. IDB Lab invites investment management firms to apply for VC funds. Fund managers who wish to participate in the selection process must primarily invest in nascent or emerging early-stage ecosystems in LAC and specialize in high-impact investments and sectors with pronounced structural capital gaps, such as Health/Biotech, Edtech/Workertech, Agtech/Foodtech and Climatetech. Early-stage investment funds are a minimum of US$20 thousand. Proposals will be received on a rolling basis, with quarterly reviews. Venture Capital Fund
Save Our Species — African Wildlife Rapid Action Grants
Save Our Species (SOS) is open to applications for Rapid Action Grants in the framework of the SOS African Wildlife initiative. This grant is available to carry out urgent conservation measures in relation to threatened species. To be eligible projects should respond to emergency situations requiring rapid action, rather than proposing programmatic action on long-standing issues. The maximum grant size is €100 thousand with no matching funds required. Applications can be submitted anytime. About the grant
Impact-R — Energy, WASH and Food Security Nexus
Impact-Driven & Action-Based Research (Impact-R) invites microfinance institutions, NGOs, cooperatives, and technology providers with a strong social mission working in developing countries to conduct household data collection studies. The purpose of the studies is to investigate the nexus between access to energy, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and food security, through a detailed needs/market assessment at the household level. Selected institutions will receive support for the field staff involved in the data collection and will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading research institutions. In addition, Impact-R will offer scholarships for desk research. Eligibility extends to institutions working in rural regions in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The application deadline has been extended to 25 February 2021. Impact-Driven & Action-Based Research
Mindselo — Mindselo Global Impact Fellowship
Mindselo is a personal growth platform that seeks to transform ideas into wisdom. The Mindselo Global Impact Fellowship (MGIF) Program for young world-changers and academics aims to build a large network of passionate and conscious individuals who spark positive change around the world. The program provides access to Mindselo resources during the period of the fellowship and a global network of visionaries from different backgrounds. The registration deadline is 28 February 2021. Submissions via Google Forms
FSNet-Africa — Fellowship for Food Systems Research
The FSNet-Africa fellowship provides grants to researchers (fellows or mentors) working on African food systems research. Early-career researchers receive up to £20 thousand to conduct research on any aspect of the food system. Mentors and fellows have the opportunity to engage with academics from six African Universities and the UK. The call for fellows and mentors is open to researchers from ten academic partner institutions in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania. Applications close on 01 March 2021. Click for details
Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures — Climate Action Research Network
The Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures (TESF) Network Plus aims to assist education policy makers, institutions, community-based organizations and businesses to implement education policies and practices that can contribute to environmentally sustainable development. TESF invites transdisciplinary research proposals from Rwanda, Somalia, and South Africa. Proposals with focus on sustainable livelihoods, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action are welcome. The Network anticipates funding approximately 70 research projects ranging from £5-10 thousand, £10-30 thousand, and £30-100 thousand. The deadline for the submission of expressions of interest is 01 March 2021. More