3ie invites proposals under its new thematic window on the impact of agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers. 3ie hopes to address the gaps in what works and what does not in programmes of agricultural insurance that aim to mitigate risks in producing agricultural crops and livestock. Applications will be accepted for evaluations in low and lower middle-income countries, and in countries of priority to the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). Applications are invited from legally registered organisations and consortia of registered organisations. The research team should include at least one researcher who is a national of the country in which the programme is being implemented. The first phase will provide up to 14 grants for formative or process evaluations of not more than US$75 thousand each for a period of 8-10 months. The deadline for submissions in Phase 1 is 17 July 2016. Link
agriculture
EU Horizon 2020 — Indian-European Research on Bio-Economy
The Indo-European partnership INDIGO announces a call for proposals in bio-economy.
This refers to using renewable biological resources — such as crops, forests, fish, animals, and micro-organisms — to produce food, materials, and energy. Countries participating in the research call are India, France, Germany, Norway and Spain. Applications may be submitted by public and/or private entities which are eligible according to their respective national and regional regulations. The deadline for proposals is 31 August 2016. Link
Orskov Foundation — Grants for University Students in Sustainable Land Use
Orskov makes grants to support student projects in agriculture and sustainable land use in developing countries. Preference will be given to training that emphasizes animal, plant, and soil interactions. Projects should have the potential to alleviate poverty and to provide sustainable environmental benefits, including adaptation/mitigation to the impacts of climate change. Applications are invited from individuals in lower-income and lower middle-income countries. The program includes student grants up to £2,500 to support studies at a university or similar organization other than the university/college in which the applicant is registered. The application period is 01 October through 31 December of each year. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) — Livelihoods for Resilience in Ethiopia
USAID in Addis Ababa requests applications from qualified and eligible organizations to manage and implement the activity, “Feed the Future Ethiopia Livelihoods for Resilience.” The program aims to improve Ethiopia’s crop and livestock market systems; increase off-farm economic diversification; expand employment generation; and promote learning and adaptation. USAID intends to award US$60 million to the program over five years. All types of organizations are eligible to apply. Funding Opportunity RFA-663-16-000008. The application deadline is 25 July 2016. Link
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) — Doctoral Fellowships in Agriculture 2016-2017
ICAR announces thirty Netaji Subhas-ICAR international fellowships for doctoral degrees in agriculture and allied sciences at agricultural universities and institutions in India and abroad. The priority areas are crop sciences, horticulture, animal sciences, natural resource management, agricultural engineering, and fisheries. Indian fellows going abroad can receive up to US$2 thousand per month. International fellows studying in India can receive up to INR40 thousand per month. The application deadline is 30 June 2016. Link
United States–India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) — 7th Call for Proposals
The USISTEF announces its 7th competitive call for proposals to commercialize technologies for societal impact. Priority areas include health, education, agriculture, water, and others. Proposals must include at least one partner from each country, India and USA. Funding is up to Rs. 2.5 crores (approximately US$400 thousand) for projects that demonstrate a high potential to be commercial within 2-3 years. The bi-national teams can include incorporated companies; non-incorporated entities; and individuals or consortia from academic, government, and non-government R&D institutions. The deadline for proposals is 15 June 2016. Link
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) — Global Challenges Research in Food and Agriculture
The Global Challenges Research Fund is a new 5-year program of UK research to address problems faced by developing countries, with emphasis on health and agriculture. A consortium of BBSRC and other UK research organizations will support multidisciplinary awards for research on Global Agriculture and Food Systems in low and middle-income countries. The awards will focus on early-stage work, with grants up to £600 thousand for projects of 18-36 months. Applications are welcomed from UK research organisations eligible to receive funding from BBSRC. Partners from the developing countries can be included in proposals. The deadline for expressions of interest is 22 June 2016. Link
European Commission (EC) — Production of Quality Coffee in Nepal
The EC will fund technical assistance to help coffee growers and cooperatives in Nepal improve the value chain for Nepalese coffee. Activities should aim to raise the productivity of coffee plantations; introduce organic methods in coffee growing; strengthen farmers’ cooperatives and associations; and develop improved branding and marketing systems for coffee. Grants will be approximately €500 thousand. Eligibility for funding extends to nonprofit organizations in the EU, the European Economic Area, developing countries (including Nepal), and certain international organizations. Reference EuropeAid/152076/DD/ACT/NP. The deadline for proposals is 02 August 2016. Link
African Union — Research Grants in Food and Agriculture
In collaboration with the European Union, Phase 2 of the African Union’s research grants will focus on research for food, nutritional security, and sustainable agriculture in Africa. Applications are invited from national and regional organizations, research institutions, universities, government ministries, and public institutions in Africa and EU member states. Eligibility for funding also extends to science and technology networks if all network members are registered in the eligible countries. Grants will range from US$500 thousand to US$1 million, varying with cost shares. The deadline for proposals is 17 August 2016. Link
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) — ILRI-DAAD Scholarships 2016
In partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), ILRI announces several research scholarships at PhD and MSc levels in subject areas of livestock systems and animal biosciences. Each posting includes a description of the research focus, qualifications, and how to apply. The scholarships are for citizens of Sub-Saharan Africa. The closing date for applications is 18 March 2016. Link