The German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) will fund international research cooperation on the topic of innovative approaches to process local food in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The aim is to contribute to improved nutrition, as well as to qualitative and quantitative reduction of food losses. BMEL will make grants to suitable research institutions in Germany, which will work with partner institutions in Africa and Asia. The projects should focus on perishable food items of plant, animal, and fungal origin, in particular with seasonal surpluses. Consideration should be given to the potential for innovation using neglected and under-utilized crops. The deadline for short proposals and consortium agreements is 01 December 2016. Link
Ilka Westermeyer
WWF in India — Small Grants Program
WWF-India offers grants up to Rs. 400 thousand for conservation research or action projects of up to two years. Grants are made to individuals to be utilized primarily for field activities. Priority is for research and conservation aligned with WWF’s program in India. The application period is 01 October through 31 December of each year. Link
BRICS Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Framework Programme — Pilot Call for Proposals 2016
The BRICS Scientific, Technological and Innovation Framework Programme announces a call for research proposals on priority areas which can best be addressed by a multinational approach. The multiple themes include water resources and pollution treatment; promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency; and prevention and monitoring of natural disasters. The framework program is supported by funding organizations in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Proposals should include collaborators from at least three countries. The deadline for applications is 25 August 2016. Link
UK Natural Environment Research Council — Building Resilience to Environmental Hazards
The NERC in coordination with other UK research councils calls for inter-disciplinary research on resilience to natural and man-made environmental hazards in the developing world. The focus is on how to build resilience in relation to both sudden and slow-onset environmental hazards (e.g., land degradation, deforestation, drought, hurricanes, and climate change). The lead applicant must be a UK research organization eligible for funding through NERC. Co-investigators can be researchers in low and middle-income countries, as well as researchers in international research organizations. Awards are expected not to exceed £200 thousand for projects ranging from 3-9 months, and exceptionally up to 12 months. The deadline for submitting proposals is 06 September 2016. Link
Global Development Network — Aid Effectiveness in Africa
The Global Development Network (GDN) announces a research competition on aid effectiveness in Sub-Saharan Africa. Proposals should focus on a single sector, either health or agriculture, in two or more African countries. The competition is open to teams of early-career researchers of social scientists from universities, independent research institutions, think tanks, networks, and consortia based in Africa. GDN will invite short-listed teams to submit full applications for grants of up to US$24 thousand. The deadline for expressions of interest (English, French) is 11 September 2016. Link
World Bank — Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, Challenge Fund 2016
The Challenge Fund calls for proposals that bridge the gap between technology and on-the-ground user needs in the field of disaster risk identification. The Fund seeks to support the development of data, products, and approaches to support disaster risk management decision making. The focus areas are identified in the 2016 announcement. The deadline for expressions of interest is 15 September 2016. Link
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Crops for Nutrition
The UK’s BBSRC calls for research to deliver the next generation of crops beneficial for human and/or farmed animal health. BBSRC encourages applications on crops relevant for low and middle-income developing countries. It also welcomes applications in collaboration and/or consultation with the food industry. The program is open to UK researchers eligible for funding from the BBSRC. If they are relevant for the research, international partners can be sub-contracted. Grants are up to £2 million for up to five years. The closing date for applications is 21 September 2016. Link