The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) invites applications for innovation research proposals on artificial intelligence innovations from eligible researchers universities and academic research institutions in Africa. RUFORUM seeks to select research proposals that deploy responsible AI for climate action with demonstrated relevance to livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Research budgets with a range between US$50 thousand to US$60 thousand and duration of up to 18 months will be considered. The deadline for submission is 30 June 2022. Details
agriculture
Entrepreneurship Campus — Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition
The Entrepreneurship Campus invites innovative ideas for the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition to create a culture for entrepreneurship and implement one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Participants are invited to submit their innovative ideas and projects with a societal impact. Entries will be posted on the competition website and are subject to online commenting and public voting. Winners receive a virtual badge and a certificate. Participants from 13 to 29 years who are operating a business, a non-profit organization or an informal program are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted until 15 September 2022. Know more
SEED — Starter Workshop for Eco-Enterprises in Botswana
SEED offers valuable resources and professional support to expand entrepreneurial ideas while learning from peers during interactive SEED Starter workshops. SEED Starter workshops consist of a team of 2-5 members that bring in a business idea for addressing environmental, social and economic challenges. Successful alumni are invited to apply for a SEED Grant for up to €1,000 which pays for resources required to establish the new enterprise. Eco-Entrepreneurs from Botswana are invited to apply for the next starter workshop. Applications have to be received by 30 April 2022. Link to current openings
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Côte d’Ivoire
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Côte d’Ivoire. The priorities under this call include women’s economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, and investing in the poorest and most vulnerable (which may include agriculture or aquaculture projects). The average contribution is C$22 thousand to C$49 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 05 May 2022. Link to CFLI
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Morocco and Mauritania
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Morocco and Mauritania. The priorities under this call include women’s economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as on water management. The average contribution is C$10 thousand to C$20 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 05 May 2022. Link
Amani Institute — Social Innovation Management
The Amani Institute offers a post-graduate certificate in social innovation management that emphasizes leadership, communication, entrepreneurship and management, and creativity and problem solving. Fellows will participate in a 3-month Immersion phase in Nairobi (Kenya). Fellows represent a diversity of fields contributing to sustainable development, including themes related to the environment. Amani offers discounted tuition plus a limited number of tuition scholarships (but excluding airfare and housing) in cases of extreme need. The application deadline for scholarships is 06 May 2022. Link
Copernicus Masters — Smart Farming Challenge
Copernicus Masters is an international innovation competition that honors the best solutions using earth observation data and applications to solve global challenges. The Smart Farming Challenge, sponsored by BayWa, seeks innovative solutions that use new technologies, ideas and products to support sustainable agriculture and horticulture. BayWa is interested in digital solutions that combine satellite data and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning to support pasture management, early crop disease identification, and/or yield prediction in horticulture. The winner of the smart farming challenge receives €5 thousand, mentoring, access to field trials and access to BayWa agribusiness and agri-organization networks. All participants have the chance to win an additional €10 thousand if chosen as the overall Copernicus winner. The competition is open to participants worldwide. Submissions are open until 11 July 2022. Find the Smart Farming Challenge
Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences — Prize in Food Security
The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) accepts nominations for the 2022 Al-Sumait Prize in Food Security. The prize is awarded to individuals or institutions who have made significant advancement in food security and nutrition in Africa. The prize is awarded within one of three fields – Food Security, Health and Education – and has a value of US$1 million. The candidates’ research projects must be innovative and have achieved high-impact in the African continent. Nominations are accepted from regional and international institutions and scientific centers. The nomination form must be received before 30 July 2022. Al-Sumait Prize in Food Security
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture — Young African Entrepreneurs Competition 2022
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) sponsors a competition for young African entrepreneurs (< 35 years) to showcase their business innovations in agribusiness. Although the focus of the competition is agribusiness, business innovations in other themes (e.g., natural resources, meteorology, urbanization, green economy, etc.) will also be considered. Competition will provide seed funding to young entrepreneurs with creative and innovative business ideas. The competition is open to all African countries. Submissions are invited in English or French before 15 September 2022. RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition
Tiny Beam Fund — Fellowship: Negative Impacts of Global Industrial Food Animal Production
Tiny Beam Fund offers communication grants to researchers who wish to “address negative impacts of global industrial food animal production” (especially in low- and middle-income countries). Communication Grants are aimed at encouraging academics who have studied the problems caused by global industrial animal agriculture to take steps to share their research. The amount requested should not exceed US$5 thousand for a 12-month period. The fund is directed to PhD researchers from any residence, citizenship, or location. There will be three awards available, one in each category. Applications are accepted year-round. More about the Communication Grants