The Global Makers Challenge invites innovative start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to submit solutions to solve real-world problems. The current Rural Transformation and Zero Hunger challenge seeks new and affordable methods that increase smallholder agricultural productivity without further contributing to environmental degradation. Applications are invited from innovators around the world without any geographical limitations. The winner receives prizes, including cash and mentorship. Shortlisted companies will be invited to a pitch live session in UAE (May 2019), finalist will be invited to the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (July 2019) in Russia. The deadline is 31 January 2019. Find the Rural Transformation Challenge
agriculture
U.S. Department of State — Youth Leadership Program with Burma
The Office of Citizen Exchanges announces an open competition to conduct a four-week U.S.-based exchange program for teenagers and adult educators. The activities for each program will focus on civic education, community engagement and prepare participants to conduct projects at home that serve a community need. Applicants should plan to provide U.S.-based programming for 17-18 youth and 2-3 adult participants from Burma. Applicants may request up to US$190 thousand in project funding. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations and universities. The deadline for application is 25 February 2019. Link
European Commission — Rwanda’s Horticultural and Coffee Value Chains
The European Commission seeks to unlock the potential of Rwanda’s horticultural and coffee value chains to ensure the supply to local and international markets. Projects should address agribusiness development by providing smallholder farmers with the necessary tools and knowledge to sustain the market. Grants requested under this call must fall between the amounts of €1 million and €3 million. Eligibility extends to legal and natural persons established in the EU or in a developing country. The application deadline is 27 March 2019. Link
Innovation Grant Facility — Opportunity for Pacific Agro-SMEs
The Innovation Grant Facility (IGF) provides funding to agro-based small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in seven Pacific Island States: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Projects should focus on “Leveraging the Development of Local Food Crops and Fisheries Value Chains for Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Food Systems in the Pacific Islands” and be executed by SMEs that aim to grow their business and contribute, directly or indirectly, to the sustainable development of the agriculture and fishery sectors. The maximum amount per grant award is €17 thousand. The call for applications will close on 31 January 2019. Find details
SEED Foundation — Agricultural Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa 2019
The SEED Foundation supports French nonprofit organizations in partnership with nonprofit organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa for innovative solutions that address food security. Projects can address agricultural practices, farming knowledge and capacity, local agricultural products, etc. Grants range from €7 thousand to €15 thousand, up to 70% of project costs. The Foundation lists 20 eligible African countries. The deadline for applications is 06 February 2019. See the Call for Proposals
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Doctoral Research Scholarships
The Social and Environmental Trade-offs in African Agriculture (Sentinel) Project, funded by the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), aims at building the capacity of African and UK research organizations to address trade-offs between economic, environmental and social outcomes for future agricultural development. For that reason, RUFORUM makes 20 research scholarships to PhD students to undertake research in areas of relevance to the Project. A minimum of 15 research projects have to take place in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zambia. (Note: students outside the focal countries are eligible to apply as long they conduct their research in these three countries.) Each scholarship is a maximum of US$7,500 over a period of two years. The deadline is 15 February 2019. Find the PhD Opportunity
U.S. Department of Agriculture — Borlaug Cocoa Fellowships 2019
The USDA invites applications for the 2019 Borlaug Cocoa Fellowships. The program aims to provide fellows with the skills and knowledge in the production and marketing of cocoa and cocoa products. Fellows from eligible countries in West Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean work with a mentor at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service or a U.S. university for up to 12 weeks. The U.S. mentor later visits the fellow’s home institution to continue collaboration. The research priorities vary by region and country. The application deadline is 31 December 2018. Learn about the program
Swedish International Development Agency — Training on Healthy Livestock and Safe Food
Sida funds short-term training in selected development topics for participants from developing countries. Organizations in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda are invited to nominate candidates for the 12-months Training Programme ‘Healthy Livestock and Safe Food’. The overall objective of this programme is to reduce poverty and vulnerability among smallholder farmers. Candidates representing government organisations, private companies or NGOs at national, regional or local level are encouraged to apply. The training will take place in Sweden. Sida will cover costs related to all programme phases except personal expenses, visa fees or any local airport taxes and departure fees. The closing date for applications is 31 January 2019. More about the training program
Chinese Academy of Sciences — PhD Fellowships in China 2019
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) jointly invite applications for the CAS-TWAS President’s PhD Fellowship Programme to pursue PhD studies in China. The participating institutions are the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; the University of Science and Technology of China; and CAS institutes around China. Eligible fields of study include agricultural sciences, various fields of agricultural sciences, biology, and other areas of the natural sciences and engineering. The programme will award up to 200 scholarships to non-Chinese applicants worldwide. The maximum age of applicants is 35. The application deadline is 31 March 2019. Opportunity
European Commission — Sustainable Development in Mongolia
The European Commission aims to increase capacity and establish an enabling environment for Mongolian CSOs to address issues of poverty and inequality. One of the priorities under this call is promoting women’s economic and social rights (which may include agriculture) and to increase NGO capacities to empower the youth. Eligible actions include mainly capacity building, networking, advocacy and research activities. Grants requested under this call for proposals must fall between €500 thousand and €750 thousand. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations registered in Mongolia or the European Union. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 29 January 2019. About