The No Waste Challenge is a global competition by What Design Can Do (WDCD) in partnership with the IKEA Foundation. WDCD invites creative thinkers to submit innovative solutions to reduce waste and to rethink the entire production and consumption cycle. The winner receives €10 thousand in funding and a tailor-made development program to turn their project into a reality. The deadline for submissions is 01 April 2021. No Waste Challenge
awards/prizes
French Agency for Ecological Transition — Mediterranean Climate Change Adaptation Awards
Mediterranean Climate Change Adaptation Awards reward exemplary and concrete actions to adapt to climate change in the Mediterranean. The competition is aimed at local authorities, universities, companies and NGOs (in partnership with a local public stakeholder) which take action and develop solutions to adapt the Mediterranean regions to the changing climate. Selected partners receive tailored support (study tour, meetings with technical and financial partners), invitations to an international workshop (ECCA 2021), and international promotion. Applications close 15 April 2021. More about the competition
Global Federation of Higher Education Associations for Agricultural and Life Sciences — World Agricultural Prize 2021
The Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for the Agricultural and Life Sciences (GCHERA) supports innovation and leadership in education, research, and outreach in the agricultural and life sciences. This year, two World Agriculture Prizes will be awarded, each to a faculty member from a higher education institution for lifetime achievements in agriculture and life sciences. At least one prize will be awarded to a person from a developing country. The amount of the prize is US$100 thousand. The closing date for nominations is 31 May 2021. GCHERA World Agriculture Prize
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — International Innovation Award for Sustainable Food and Agriculture
FAO and the Federal Government of Switzerland invite applications for the International Innovation Award for Sustainable Agriculture on the theme ‘Innovation to transform food systems’. Individuals, private companies and institutions worldwide may submit agricultural innovations (digital innovation, products, or practices) that contribute to the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. The innovation award is divided in two categories: Category A (US$ 30 thousand) for excellence in digitization and innovation for sustainable food systems; Category B (US$ 30 thousand) recognizes an innovation that specifically empowers youth (under 35) in sustainable food systems. The call closes on 19 March 2021. Innovation Awards
SEED — Low Carbon Award 2021
SEED supports small-scale eco-enterprises in the developing world which integrate social and environmental benefits into their business models. Applicants should be able to explain how the enterprise will be financially viable in the long term and be in the set-up phase and in the early stages of implementation. The eligible countries are Indonesia, India, Ghana, Thailand, Uganda, and South Africa. Each award recipient is granted capacity building and networking opportunities. The call for applications is open until 22 March 2021. More
UAE Water Aid — Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award
UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) invites nominations for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The award supports research and development of new and innovative technologies that produce, distribute, and purify water using renewable energy to support poverty- and disaster-stricken communities worldwide. Prizes vary according to category from US$20 thousand to US$150 thousand. Suqia invites corporations, research centers, institutions, innovators and youth from around the world, whose novel technologies provide solutions to the challenges of water scarcity, to participate in the awards. The deadline for nominations is 30 April 2021. Visit Suqia
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
Regional Studies Association — Awards in Regional Studies
The Regional Studies Association (RSA) covers issues in the fields of climate change, energy, migration, and economic development. RSA makes awards to recent Masters graduates, PhD students, and early-career researchers who made an original and outstanding contribution to the field of regional studies. Award winners receive £500. Grants have no geographical limitation, past award holders come from Egypt, Argentina, China, etc. The deadline for nominations (both self-nominations and third-party nominations) is 30 April 2021. Link to awards
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
Solution Search — Water Pollution & Behavior Change Contest
Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment and partners seek existing solutions that are changing behaviors to help solve the world’s most challenging environmental problems. For this year’s contest, Solutions Search looks for promising approaches that are shifting people’s behavior toward cleaner, healthier water ecosystems. Contest entrants get access to capacity building, workshops, and networking opportunities to further refine and scale their solution. The overall winner will receive US$25 thousand, among numerous other prizes, including a US$5 thousand prize awarded to the best early entrant (for submissions prior to 30 November). Any organization or institution worldwide is eligible (e.g., city government, business, non-profit, university, etc.). Individuals are not eligible to enter. The regular submission deadline is 10 January 2021. Access Solution Search