The Monsanto Fund makes grants to strengthen agricultural communities in several countries around the world. Grants of US$25 thousand and more are available to tax-exempt charitable organizations for activities and projects that address farmers’ education and training; food security; community water and sanitation; and other local needs. Monsanto’s international grants are administered at the country level. The Fund presents a list of eligible countries. Monsanto accepts international applications during two periods each year. The first period ranges from 01 January through 28 February. The second period ranges from 01 July through 31 August. Link
agriculture
Ghent University — International Master of Science in Rural Development 2017
The International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD) is a two-year master’s program in rural development and agricultural economics, focusing on socioeconomic and institutional aspects. The IMRD comprises a consortium of 13 participating universities in the EU, China, Ecuador, India, South Africa, South Korea, and the USA. The program invites qualified individuals from around the world to apply. The program offers scholarships. To be eligible for a scholarship, applications to the program must be submitted by 01 March 2017. Link
Rothamsted Research — Agri-Tech in China
With funding by the UK Government and implementation led by Rothamsted Research, the Agri-Tech in China: Newton Network+ (ATCNN) addresses challenges facing the agri-tech and agri-food sector in China. The program will provide UK excellence in satellite imaging, remote sensing, smart sensors, robotics, and data-intensive science for new solutions for agricultural productivity and sustainability in rural China. Applications are currently invited for Pathfinder and Proof of Concept awards. Projects must be led by either a UK business or a UK research organisation. Projects with actual or in-kind support from Chinese partners will be given priority. The application deadline is 31 October 2016. Link
Organic Farming Research Foundation — Research Grants Program
OFRF offers funding for research on organic farming and food systems and the dissemination of these research results to organic farmers and agricultural and research communities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Priorities are research on small grain production; soil health; social sciences related to adoption of organic systems; and organic animal production. OFRF particularly encourages farmers, ranchers, graduate students, early-career researchers, veterans, and extension personnel to consider applying for funding. Grants are up to US$15 thousand for one year. The next deadline for proposals is 10 December 2016. Link
Olam — Prize for Food Security 2017
The Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security honors and offers financial support to an outstanding research project for its potential impact on the availability, affordability, accessibility, or adequacy of food. Olam invites applications from research projects in plant science, soil science, nutritional science, agricultural sciences, and any other field of scientific research impacting food security, focused on any part of the agricultural supply chain. The winning research project will receive US$50 thousand in unrestricted funding to support further development of the research project. The deadline for applications is 17 January 2017. Link
European Commission Horizon 2020 — Sustainable Food Security 2017
The Horizon 2020 program of research and innovation includes topics that are suitable for international cooperation. This includes cooperation in several projects of sustainable food security (SFS). Topic SFS-8-2017 will research accessible and cost-efficient alternatives to contentious inputs (e.g., copper) in organic farming. Topic SFS-10-2017 will explore methods to detect and arrest emerging diseases and pests in plants and terrestrial livestock. Topic SFS-13-2017 will focus on protocols for the detection and quantification of pathogens and other factors of concern for the health of plants and terrestrial animals, and correlates of infection/immunity. Topic SFS-21-2016-2017 will support research on the knowledge base and management tools for fisheries in waters of third countries with which the EU has signed sustainable fisheries partnership agreements, and in international waters covered by regional fisheries management organisations. Topic SFS-30-2017 will support research on effective solutions for managing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in agro-ecosystems. Topic SFS-43-2017 invites research proposals on using Earth observation assets to advance the projection of food supply and agricultural risk assessment in Africa. Topic SFS-46-2017 aims to reduce the use of anti-microbial drugs for treating farm animals in Europe and China. Topic SFS-47-2017 addresses the topic of soil-water management for increased crop production and agro-ecosystem services in Europe and China. Topic SFS-48-2017 aims to research resource-efficient urban agriculture, using examples in Europe and China. Topic SFS-50-2017 will explore agricultural soil carbon sequestration in different pedo-climatic conditions. Eligibility for funding in most topics extends to EU countries, Horizon 2020 associated countries, and over 100 mainly developing countries. The application deadline is 14 February 2017. Link
West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use — Small Research Grants on Climate Change in West Africa
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
UK Department for International Development — Agri-Tech Catalyst for Developing Countries
The Agri-Tech Catalyst aims to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in developing countries. Projects should focus in any of three categories: early-stage technical feasibility; industrial research; or late-stage experimental development. Project leaders must be UK businesses (or UK research organizations in the case of early-stage technical feasibility). Projects should include at least one consortium member from an eligible developing country. The amount of project co-funding available through DFID varies by category and business size. The deadlines for registration are 26 October 2016 for industrial research, and 25 January 2017 for the other two categories. Link
World Bank — Big Data Innovation Challenge
The World Bank is interested in how “big data” can be used to address development questions, including how climate change affects food security and forestry and watersheds. Solutions may include but are not limited to analytical methodologies, APIs, algorithms, software applications, tools, and new data set generation. Technologies may include artificial intelligence, crowd-sourcing applications, data science, dynamic visualizations, machine learning, and predictive analytics. The Challenge will award US$10 thousand to the winner in each of the following two categories: (i) food security or nutrition, and (ii) forestry or watersheds. Submissions are invited from individuals, students, entrepreneurs, start-ups, university labs, private companies, nonprofits, and public sector agencies legally established in member countries of the World Bank Group. The closing date for submissions is 09 November 2016. Link
Newton Fund — Agri-Food Innovation in Turkey
The Newton Fund promotes partnerships in science and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of 16 partner countries, including Turkey. The current call for proposals invites UK companies in partnership with Turkish companies to address three challenges: (i) using waste products and residues from Turkey’s agri-food industry to reduce environmental impact and add value; (ii) improving the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers in Turkey; and (iii) improving animal and plant breeding in Turkey. The amount of available co-funding varies with business size. The deadline for registration is 16 November 2016. Link