The Women’s Empowerment for Inclusive Growth (WING) program supports women-led small businesses and social enterprises in Bangladesh who are working on real economic empowerment of women and girls. Interested enterprises are invited to submit their gender-responsive business proposal application for funding. WING provides technical assistance and financial support such as development grants, credit enhancements, and guarantees. The deadline for submission of investment proposals is 31 January 2021. Link to the call
agriculture
UK Department for International Development — Funding for Small Charities
The Small Charities Challenge Fund (SCCF) supports UK-based grassroots organizations to help priority countries to enhance their capacity and efforts to help the poor, vulnerable and most marginalized. UK Aid Direct operates in the lowest 50 countries in the Human Development Index and in countries considered to be of high or moderate fragility. Thematic areas include agriculture, climate change, environment, water resources and others. Grants of up to £50 thousand will be available for projects of up to 2 years. Applications are reviewed on a 6-monthly basis. The next review of project grant proposals is 25 March 2021. Link
Newable — Global Young Innovators Program
Newable accepts applications to join the Global Young Innovators Program. Entrepreneurs and young inventors from South Africa and the United Kingdom are invited to generate innovative ideas to help address five challenges in South Africa. The challenges include the categories low-carbon economy and sustainable solutions for urban and rural communities, related to water, sustainable agriculture and fisheries. Participants take part in a training program, receive mentorship, and have the chance to pitch a R200 thousand funding grant. Participants from South Africa have to be between 18 and 30 years old. Applications close 17 January 2021. Link
Turkish Government — SDG Impact Accelerator
SDG Impact Accelerator (SDGia) is a global accelerator for entrepreneurs and startups working on products and services in the field of financial inclusion in Bangladesh or digital agriculture in Uganda. SDGia Digital Agriculture and Financial Inclusion calls are open for teams from all around the world. Selected teams will receive equity-free grants of up to US$15 thousand and, in the event that their product or service is selected for implementation in Bangladesh or Uganda, teams may also receive impact investment. The application deadline is 22 January 2021. SDG Impact Accelerator
Startup Grind — Startup Summit
Startup Grind invites participants for the Startup Summit (22 February 2021). Startup Summit is a virtual bootcamp for startups and provides free access to workshops on fundraising, networking, and investor matchmaking. Participants of the Summit gain free access to the 2021 Global Conference, a 4-day virtual event for startups from around the world. Applications to participate in the Startup Summit are accepted until 31 January 2021. Details here
U.S. Department of Agriculture — International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship
The U.S. Department of Agriculture welcomes applications for the 2021 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program. The program offers training and collaborative research opportunities to scientists, researchers, and policymakers from developing countries. Themes include soil and water management; agricultural genetics and breeding; livestock health and management; agricultural processing; biotechnology; climate change; biofuels; and others (varying by eligible countries). The award amount is US$60 thousand. Fellows work with a mentor at a U.S. university, research center, or government agency, usually for 8-12 weeks. The U.S. mentor later visits the fellow’s home institution to continue collaboration. The application deadline is 01 February 2021. About this fellowship
European Union — Investments in Primary Agricultural Production
The European Union announces investments in primary agricultural production in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with the aim of achieving sustainable agriculture. The call supports rural development related to agriculture and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The maximum grant amount is BAM 200 thousand per applicant. Eligibility is limited to individuals, entrepreneurs and agricultural cooperatives/enterprises registered in BiH. The application deadline is 15 February 2021. Link to EU4AGRI
Future Food — Postdoc Fellowships to Young Researchers
Future Food – A Swiss Research Initiative awards up to ten postdoc fellowships each year to further expand research and education in the area of food and nutrition sciences. The fellowship provides personal research funds for three years, enabling fellows to work on their projects in a Swiss research laboratory. The total funds per fellowship may not exceed CHF390 thousand. Applicants must hold a doctorate (PhD). There is no restriction on nationality. The deadline for applications via the online form is 31 March 2021. Find details
Tata Trusts — Social Alpha Agritech Challenge
The Social Alpha Agritech Challenge 2.0 seeks innovators and start-ups with science and technology-based solutions that have the potential to create an impact in the lives of smallholder farmers in India. The winners receive support in the areas of product development, testing, pilots, product validation, product management and market strategy. Additional funding will be decided on a case-to-case basis. The challenge is open to individuals, teams, social enterprises, nonprofits, and companies registered in India. The deadline for application is 31 December 2020. Link
UNDP-GEF Small Grants Program — COVID-19 Support for Indigenous Peoples and Fishing Communities in Malaysia
The Global Support Initiative for Indigenous Peoples and Community provides support to Indigenous Peoples and Fishing Communities to strengthen long-term socio-ecological resilience. Funding is intended for grassroots actions and initiatives across various themes, including agroecology and agroforestry, income-generation activities and community-based ecotourism, and other activities related to Covid-19 recovery and resilience. Grants are a maximum of US$50 thousand per project for the duration of 18 months. Applications must be from qualified organizations, such as national and local civil society organizations (including community-based organizations, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples organizations). The application deadline is 10 January 2021. Find details