The Ireland Fellows Program offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year master’s level program at a higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland. In 2021, fellowships will be offered for postgraduate study in agriculture, environmental science, conservation, rural development, food science, biotechnology, tourism, and many others. The Kader Asmal Fellowships covers tuition, economy travel, accommodation, books, and a monthly personal living allowance. Applicants must be resident nationals of South Africa. Submissions are due by 31 August 2020. Find the fellows program
Ilka Westermeyer
Canadian International Development Research Center — Economic Opportunities for Women East Africa
The International Development Research Center (IDRC) seeks to support locally grounded in-depth evaluative and action research to identify and scale successful solutions for achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality in the world of work. Evaluative projects will have a budget of up to CA$500 thousand and a duration of up to 24 months. Action research projects will have a budget of up to CA$700 thousand and a duration of up to 36 months. The call is open to research institutions, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda. The submission deadline for proposals is 31 August 2020. Details can be found here
Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine — Africa Agri-Food Development Program
The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is a joint initiative between the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. AADP seeks to develop partnerships between the Irish Agri-Food Sector and African countries to support sustainable and mutual trade between Ireland and Africa. For this purpose AADP provides funding of up to €250 thousand per company for a full project or €100 thousand for a feasibility study. Only Irish Agri-Food companies are eligible to apply but each applicant must have at least one local partner in Africa. Projects will be supported in Botswana, Cóte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 02 September 2020. Find the AADP
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe — Global Photo Contest
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) invites submissions for a global contest on flora and fauna in the time of COVID-19 in support of the restoration of ecosystems. UNECE seeks submissions under the theme “Humans Locked Down, Nature Unlocked”. Photographs may show animals walking through deserted cities, ducks and dolphins reappearing in canals and nearing shores, birds settling in gardens, butterflies flying undisturbed, plants growing in the cracks of empty streets, etc. Each individual can submit a maximum of 3 photographs. The submitted photographs may appear in a web-based gallery and will be promoted by the United Nations. The best 13 photographs will be used to illustrate a 2021 calendar of the United Nations. Photos can be submitted until 15 September 2020. UNECE Photo Contest
European Commission — Environmental and Climate Development in Brazil
The European Commission (EC) seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive development in Brazil by supporting and strengthening local civil society organizations. Proposed projects under this call must: (a) strengthen the participation of civil society in the implementation of international agreements in environmental and/or climate areas, (b) develop sustainable socio-economic post-pandemic activities in the Amazon, or (c) support indigenous peoples in the Amazon. Grants requested under this call must be between €400 thousand and €650 thousand. Eligibility extends to Brazilian non-profit civil society organizations. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 15 September 2020. Details here
World Tourism Organization — SDGs Global Startup Competition
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
British Council — PhD Scholarships for Egyptian Researchers
The Newton Mosharafa PhD Program supports Egyptian researchers to undertake PhD studies at a UK higher education institution. The program covers all fees and living/travel expenses. The program supports projects in five priority areas, including sustainable water management; renewable energy; and sustainable food production. The application deadline is 01 October 2020. Link
UK Department for International Development — Agri-Tech Catalyst for Africa
The Agri-Tech Catalyst aims to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in Africa. Projects should focus in any of three categories: early-stage technical feasibility; industrial research; or late-stage experimental development. Project leaders must be UK businesses (or UK research organizations in the case of early-stage technical feasibility). Projects should include at least one consortium member from an eligible African country. The amount of project co-funding available varies from £100 thousand to £1 million depending on category and business size. The deadline for registration is 21 October 2020. Find the call
European Commission — Forest Observation Systems in RD Congo
The European Commission (EC) aims to develop an independent forest observation monitoring systems in order to monitor forest governance and forest land use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The overall amount made available under this call is €1,5 million. Eligibility extends to non-profit civil society organizations. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 27 October 2020. Find more information
First Solar — Charitable Fund
First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology. The First Solar Corporate Charitable Fund seeks to improve the quality of life in communities around the world. Priority is given to projects focusing on “green” education initiatives, access to clean energy and water in underserved areas, and furthering the development of innovative and sustainable technologies. Grant requests must be for projects or services that cost or exceed US$10 thousand. Requests under US$10 thousand should be directed to the First Solar local office nearest the grant seeker. Proposals are reviewed four times annually. The deadline dates for proposals are 01 February, 01 May, 01 August and 01 November. Link to donation guidelines