WASCAL supports research to address the severe challenges posed by climate change in West Africa. WASCAL currently calls for proposals in “Building Local Capacity for Policy-Oriented Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in West Africa (BLOC).” BLOC will make small research grants of between €5 thousand to €10 thousand. To be eligible for consideration, research proposals must focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation in West Africa in any of the thematic areas of biodiversity, agriculture, adapted land use, climate systems, education, health, human security, economics, and energy. Priority is given to research teams led by young researchers pursuing a career in government ministries, research, and/or teaching at a public institution in West Africa. Team work and cross-country research proposals are encouraged. The application deadline is 31 October 2016. Link
Africa
Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa — Grants for Conservation and Sustainable Development 2017
The Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa (MCFEA) makes grants for environmental conservation, environmental education and research, and the relief of poverty. A special priority is projects that combine conservation with the economic and social development of local communities. Grants are to organizations for one year. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
Michigan State University — Graduate Studies for Rwandans in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
With funding from the U.S. government, the Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program is implemented by Michigan State University. Rwanda is one of eleven countries for scholarship support under the BHEARD program. The scholarships will support master’s or PhD studies for Rwandans at regional universities in Africa, beginning August 2017 or January 2018. Applications are invited from the University of Rwanda (College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine), and from Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture. Course work will be undertaken at a regional university, and the student’s research project will be conducted in Rwanda. The application deadline is 30 October 2016. Link
OpenIDEO — Economic Opportunities for Youth in East Africa
OpenIDEO convenes a global community to collaboratively create solutions addressing the world’s biggest challenges. Among these challenges is the Youth Empowerment Challenge for East Africa, which aims to empower young people in East Africa to participate in the economy. OpenIDEO invites new ideas that motivate and inspire youth; build skills; support their transition into financial stability; include the private sector; or harness the potential for the participation of young people in agriculture. The Challenge is looking for ideas that answer its challenge question and that are targeted at youth between ages 18-35 in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. At least five winners of this challenge will receive a grant of between US$50 thousand and US$150 thousand, plus training and design support from IDEO. The challenge is open to all creative thinkers worldwide, and in any discipline. The deadline for submissions in the ideas phase is 31 October 2016. Link
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Conservation of Rhinos and Tigers 2017
As part of its program “Wildlife Without Borders,” the USFWS makes grants for the conservation of selected wildlife species, including rhinos and tigers. Grants are for applied research, training, conservation management, community outreach, law enforcement, decreased human-wildlife conflicts, and other activities in conservation. Eligibility extends worldwide to qualified and relevant government agencies, other organizations, multi-national secretariats, and individuals. The program intends to make about 60 grants, ranging from US$50 thousand to US$100 thousand. The application deadline is 02 December 2016. Link
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves — Gender-Based Violence Related to Choice of Cooking Fuel
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves will allocate up to US$200 thousand to support one study over a 12-month period on the role of fuel choice as a factor in gender-based violence in humanitarian settings. Are women and girls abused when they search for fuelwood? Preference will be given to proposals seeking to conduct research in Rwandan refugee camps. Applicants must be partners of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. The application deadline is 21 October 2016. Link
Scottish Government — International Development Small Grants 2017
The Scottish Government’s International Development Small Grants Programme provides project funding in support of the government’s International Development Policy. Applications for grants are invited from incorporated not-for-profit organisations which have a presence in Scotland and an annual turnover of less than £150 thousand. The priority countries are: Bangladesh, India (states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa), Malawi, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. Awards are a maximum of £60 thousand for project grants over three years, or a maximum of £10 thousand for feasibility and capacity building grants over one year. The application deadline is 28 November 2015. Link
Royal Agricultural College — Land and Food Fellowships for Africans 2017
The UK’s Royal Agricultural College (RAC) offers fellowships to African students enrolled in its masters programs in subjects of rural development, sustainable agriculture and food security, business management, and international food and agri-business. The RAC seeks applicants who have experience in agriculture and related subjects; an interest in land reform; and a desire to make a strategic and sustainable contribution to Africa’s development. The program supports up to 10 African fellows each year. The next application period is 01 January 2017 through 15 January 2017. Link
University of California at Davis — Horticulture Innovation Lab
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
European Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) — Enterprises in e-Agriculture
“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