The Young Leaders for the SDGs initiative recognizes young people who are leading efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative offers Young Leaders a range of benefits designed to support and amplify their impact. The United Nations seeks applications from young people of all backgrounds from all around the world. Applications are being accepted until 18 April 2025. Young Leaders for the SDGs
agriculture
World Trade Organization — Young Professionals Program
The World Trade Organization (WTO) seeks applications from qualified young professionals (up to 32 years) who are nationals of a developing or least-developed country. The Young Professionals Program (YPP) offers selected young professionals the opportunity to gain work experience in the WTO. Each professional may express interest in up to three areas of the WTO, including Agriculture, Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, Trade, and Environment, among many others. Young Professionals receive a monthly salary starting at CHF 4,000 (depending on their qualifications). The application deadline is 22 April 2025. Find more information here
African Plant Nutrition Institute — Plant Nutrition Scholar Award
The Plant Nutrition Scholar Award program offers ten awards of US$2,000 to students in the disciplines of soil science, agronomy, and horticultural or tree crop science with a focus on plant nutrition. Students must also be attending a degree-granting institution located in Africa. Candidates must be enrolled in a program of graduate study as of the application deadline of 30 April 2025. Plant Nutrition Scholar Award
SAIS — Female Founder Award
The SAIS Female Founder Award is a company development and accelerator program for African tech start-ups in the agriculture, food, and livestock sectors. The award aims to strengthen the visibility of female-led start-ups and to promote female founders in Africa. The three winners will win in-kind support worth up to €30 thousand. The application deadline is 12 May 2025. SAIS Female Founder Award
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences — International Awards for Young Agricultural Researchers 2025
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan make research awards in agriculture. Up to three young agricultural researchers with outstanding research proposals in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related themes will receive US$5 thousand each to further their research. Applicants must be nationals of a developing country, and belong to a non-Japanese research institute or a non-Japanese university. Candidates need to be younger than age 40 to be eligible. The deadline for applications is 17 May 2025. Awards for Young Agricultural Researchers
Toyota Foundation — International Grant Program for East and Southeast Asia
The Toyota Foundation supports projects focusing on challenges and issues shared among Japan and other Asian countries. The grant program invites applications in the fields of mutual learning and knowledge-sharing among East and Southeast Asia. The Foundation has previously funded projects in the fields of sustainable energy, agriculture, and water resources. The maximum grant amount per project ranges from US$44 thousand to US$89 thousand. Eligible countries from East and Southeast Asia are listed in the announcement. The application deadline is 31 May 2025. More information
GoGettaz — Agripreneur Prize 2025
GoGettaz invites young agri-food entrepreneurs (18-35 years) with technologies or innovations for the agriculture and food industry to participate in the Agripreneur Prize 2025. Two entrepreneurs (one woman, and one man) will be awarded US$50 thousand each. Submitted projects are expected to transform the agri-food business in Africa. Eligibility extends to African founders or co-founders of agriculture and food businesses. The application deadline is 10 June 2025. About the Agripreneur Prize
Women in Food and Agriculture — Mentorship Program
The Women in Food and Agriculture (WFA) and Alltech invite applications to the 2025 Mentorship Program from agri-food professionals from around the world. The mentorship program provides educational and supportive sessions as well as aid networking among all participants. The program welcomes people of all career and education levels. Applications for mentors and mentees have to be submitted by 22 June 2025. WFA Mentorship Program
Nordic Africa Institute — African Scholar Program
The Nordic Africa Scholar Program supports researchers based in Africa who need time and a conducive environment for finishing and writing up their ongoing research. The Senior Researcher position is offered at the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) for the duration of 12 months. NAI especially welcomes research with relevance to energy, energy transition and resource politics, among others. Salary is negotiable within the Institute’s current salary levels and remuneration packages. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2025. NAI African Scholar Program
Common Fund for Commodities — Support for Commodity Development
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises for production, value chains, and marketing across a wide group of commodities (crops, tree crops, timber, bamboo and rattan, minerals, and others). Projects need to focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Innovative solutions for new agri-tech applications, access to renewable energy, or expanding environmental services are especially welcome. This 26th call for proposals has a deadline of 01 April 2025. Link to the 26th Call for Proposals