The University of Queensland in Australia invites applications for its Science International Scholarships. Study subject areas include Agriculture and Environment, among others. The scholarship amount is AUD3 thousand. Any international students, other than Australian citizens and permanent residents, are eligible to apply. The 2020 application deadlines are 15 January for a Semester 1 (February) commencement and 30 June for a Semester 2 (July) commencement. Link
Ilka Westermeyer
Global LEAP Awards — Solar Water Pump Competition
The Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Competition will recognize energy efficient and affordable solar water pumps intended for smallholder farmers or individual household use that are appropriate for use with off-grid energy systems. No financial incentives are available for this round. However, winners and finalists will be featured in the 2019 Global LEAP Solar Water Pump Buyer’s Guide and be considered for investment by the Efficiency for Access Coalition Investor Network. The competition is open to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 18 January 2020. Link to the Solar Water Pump Competition
Mohammed Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity — Climate Change Challenge
The Global Makers Challenge invites innovative start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to submit solutions to solve real-world problems. The current Climate Change challenge seeks solutions that will empower communities, especially those in developing countries, to eliminate waste and use existing resources through low-carbon, circular approaches. Applications are invited from innovators around the world without any geographical limitations. The winner receives prizes, including cash and mentorship. The deadline is 31 January 2020. Find the Challenges
2SCALE — Digital Innovation for Climate Smart Agriculture
2SCALE invites entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs with digital innovations to apply to the innovation challenge to boost climate smart agriculture. Innovation should promote food and nutrition security, climate-smart (eco-efficient) agriculture, and the inclusion of women and youth. Furthermore, the innovation should primarily focus on smallholder farmers. Projects have to be implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, or Niger. The winners will receive scaling opportunities, technical support, and research support. The application has to be submitted by 15 November 2019. More
United States Agency for International Development — Power Africa: Young Leaders in the Energy Sector
Power Africa accepts applications from young leaders in the energy sector to participate in a four-week career development training workshop (February/March 2020). Successful applicants will be provided round-trip transportation, lodging, meals, and course materials. Young leaders (between 18-35 years) from Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe with experience in the energy sector are eligible to apply. The closing date for applications is 15 November 2019. Find details
Karelia CBC — Cross-Border Cooperation
Karelia CBC is a cross-border cooperation program between the European Union and Russia. The current call for proposals invites environmental activities with focus on improving living environments, with special focus on waste management and preserving/improving biodiversity in Finland and Russia (see detailed regional specifications in the call for proposals). The overall amount made available under this call is €5 million. Each project should include an infrastructure investment component with minimum of €1 million. All projects must include at least one partner from Finland and one partner from Russia. Eligibility extends to nonprofit projects submitted by government agencies, organizations, universities, research institutes, and private companies. The deadline is 05 December 2019. About
United States Agency for International Development — Household Solar Workforce Development Africa
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) invite applications for the Household Solar Workforce Development Challenge. Projects should focus on the development of off-grid solar home systems for households and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. The call is open to for-profit, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and academic institutions with demonstrated capabilities and programs in energy workforce development. The selected organizations will receive awards ranging from US$100 thousand to US$350 thousand for project implementation over the course of one year. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2019. Find the challenge
French Government — Access to Energy in Africa
The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) and the French Development Agency (AFD) seek French companies or NGOs with innovations for access to energy for people not connected to energy networks. The involvement of local African actors (local companies, NGOs, local authorities) is desirable. Environmental criteria of each project (use of renewable energies, environmental management of water; impact on biodiversity, climate change, etc.) are an important evaluation factor. Funding of €250 thousand per project is available for up to 12 projects. The application deadline is 16 December 2019. Link
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Photo Contest: Youth and Rural Development
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launches a photo competition to promote youth participation in rural development in Latin American and the Caribbean. IFAD seeks images that show young people engaged in rural areas in the region. Ten selected photos will be exhibited during the official ceremony of the Rural Youth Innovation Award (June 2020). The top three winners will receive an all expenses paid trip to the ceremony. Participants should be between 18 and 35 years old. The closing date is 16 December 2019. Click here
World Bank Group — Supporting Women Micro-Entrepreneurs
The World Bank Group invites applications for the “Sustainable Development Goals and Her Competition.” SDGs & Her is an online competition for women micro-entrepreneurs to showcase how they are supporting the SDGs through their business operations. Winners will receive leadership training, mentoring and will be flown to Washington DC, for an event at the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings (April 2020). The competition is open to women who own micro and small enterprises. The deadline for the competition is 10 January 2020. About the competition