With funding provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Horticulture Innovation Lab makes research grants in support of agricultural development. The Lab is soliciting proposals on improving post-harvest handling, storage, and marketing of tomatoes for Burkina Faso (deadline: 12 September 2016). It also calls for research proposals on dried apricots in Tajikistan (deadline: 12 September 2016). Additionally, the Lab invites concept notes for research on integrated animal-horticulture systems, particularly for Cambodia, Nepal, and Rwanda (deadline: 19 September 2016). Proposals led by U.S. university researchers will be given priority for funding. However, some programs are open to additional participation. Link
Category: Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
“Pitch AgriHack!” is sponsored by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU, in partnership with other organizations. The aim is to help young start-ups in e-agriculture develop business services. The programme is open to start-ups whose owners are ages 18 to 35, and who have a prototype or operating mobile application or ICT service for agriculture in any of the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific) countries. There will be a selection to determine which start-ups and teams will attend a boot camp and pitching event in Kenya. Winners for proof of concept will receive grants up to €7.5 thousand; winners for scaling-up will receive grants up to €15 thousand. The deadline for applications (English, French) is 25 September 2016. Link
- Tags: Africa, agriculture, LAC, september2016, social enterprise
The International Tree Foundation makes grants through its Sustainable Community Forestry Programme to conserve and restore local forest resources and associated biodiversity; improve local livelihoods; and increase resilience to climate change. ITF welcomes applications for community tree projects in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The applying organization must be a registered NGO in the country where the project will take place. Grants are up to £3,000 for one year, with the possibility of applying for a second year. The deadline for applications is 17 October 2016. Link
With funding from the U.S. government, the Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program supports long-term training of agricultural and food security researchers and policy advisors at master’s and doctoral levels. The program currently includes scholarships for staff at selected agricultural and meteorological institutions in Mali to pursue graduate studies in meteorology. Additionally, the program is open to NGO personnel in the Mopti region who are working in subjects of environment and climate. Applications from women candidates are particularly encouraged. The application deadline is 30 September 2016. Link
With funding from the U.S. government, the Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program supports long-term training of agricultural and food security researchers and policy advisors at the master’s and doctoral levels. The program currently includes scholarships for staff and faculty members at selected institutions in Bangladesh to pursue doctoral studies at universities in India. The application deadline is 30 September 2016. Link
The Securing Water for Food Grand Challenge for Development (SWFF) is a collaborative initiative among the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Swedish International Development Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of South Africa. The current call for proposals focuses on improving water efficiency and reusing agricultural wastewater; effective water capture and storage systems for extending temporal availability of water supply; and management of salinity in water supplies. Awardees will receive between US$100 thousand and US$2 million in funding and acceleration support to bring their innovations to scale. The deadline for applications is 10 October 2016. Link
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
- Tags: Africa, agriculture, december2016, research
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
- Tags: Africa, agriculture, research, september2016
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
- Tags: agriculture, all regions, research, september2016
MASHAV funds professional courses organized and hosted by Israeli institutions in subject areas that include agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, education, and social development. The remainder of the 2016 calendar includes a course on agri-green management (i.e., agri-environmental considerations related to climate change), with application deadline on 04 September 2016. A course on agri-business for rural women has an application deadline on 05 September 2016. A course on policies, strategies, and support systems for rural revitalization has a deadline on 09 September 2016. Applications are submitted through Israel’s diplomatic missions. For most courses, MASHAV covers course fees, accommodation, medical insurance, and other expenses in Israel (but not international airfare). Link