The Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and/or Technological Innovation honors African scientists who have made outstanding contributions in scientific discovery or technological innovation. The bi-annual prize will be awarded in each of the following fields: (1) Biotechnology, (2) Energy, (3) Information and Communication Technologies, or (4) Material Sciences. The prize may be awarded to an individual or jointly to two or more persons who will share the cash award of US$5 thousand. The prize is open to all African scientists and technologists. Candidates have to be nominated but self-nominations will also be accepted. The last date for receipt of nominations is 22 December 2020. Details here
biotechnology
United Nations Development Program — Arab States Youth Futures Fellowship
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) invites youth from the Arab States region to submit creative solutions on the future of climate change and/or civic engagement. Ideas can be submitted through poetry, an article, a story, a monologue, a piece of art, videos, objects from the future (that exist in 2030), dance, music, or any medium of the participant’s choosing. Up to 30 young people will be selected to take part in the Youth Futures Fellowship, a five-week capacity building opportunity. Participants must be between 19 and 20 years old and be from a country in the Arab States region. The deadline for submissions is 25 October 2020. Details
University of Waterloo — Online Workshop: Green Entrepreneurship
The University of Waterloo, in partnership with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the EcoInnovation Network, invites students and aspiring entrepreneurs to register in a six-part series of free online workshops on green entrepreneurship. The workshop targets researchers, youth, aspiring environmental and social entrepreneurs from across North America (including Mexico). The workshop provides practical knowledge and resources for those interested in launching green startups. Sessions start on 27 October 2020 with simultaneous translation in three languages (English, French and Spanish). Link to more information
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
King Baudouin Foundation — Subsidies in Support of Sustainable Development
The Business Partnership Facility awards subsidies to support and develop private sector involvement in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries. The project must contribute to achieving at least one clearly identified SDG. Funding of up to €200 thousand is available. Partnerships must comprise actors from the private sector, civil society, academia and/or the public sector, with at least one organization from the for-profit private sector. The application deadline is 11 February 2021. Find details here
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Funding for International Workshops
The UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) provides funding for international workshops to stimulate joint research cooperations. The workshop can be held overseas or in the UK. Awards are up to £10 thousand. BBSRC invites applications from countries worldwide, but is particularly interested in promoting further links with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU Member States, India, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the USA. This opportunity is open to current BBSRC research grant holders who are in receipt of BBSRC funding. The deadline is 12 November 2020. Link
MasterCard Foundation — Scholarships for Africans at McGill University
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program funds citizens from Sub-Saharan Africa for Master graduate studies at McGill University, Canada. The eligible fields of study under this program include Food Science & Agricultural Chemistry; Animal Science; Biotechnology; and many others. The program offers full scholarships to economically challenged students. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2021. Find instructions
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Follow-on Funding
BBSRC’s Follow-on Funding (FoF) supports the translation of research into practical application. The aim of the program is to help researchers maximize the societal and economic benefits of their research. The applicant must currently or previously have held BBSRC funding with demonstrable relevance to the application. Funding ranges between £25 thousand and £800 thousand. The deadline is 07 October 2020. About
United Nations Institute for Training and Research — Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Women
The UNITAR Social Entrepreneurship Training Program for Women aims to empower women with the knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship to address socio-economic challenges in Africa. The training will be delivered in English and consists of mentoring, pitching, planning, and outcome evaluation. This program is open for women, including members of small and medium enterprises, government agencies and academic institutions, from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan. Applications will be received until 06 September 2020. Link to Women Entrepreneurship
Television for the Environment — Global Sustainability Awards
Television for the Environment (tve) seeks entries for the Global Sustainability Awards (GSFA). The tve Global Sustainability Film Awards recognizes outstanding films that inspire audiences with real-world solutions for a more sustainable future. Films need to address a relevant sustainable development goal and cogently explain its importance or show a relevant solution. To be eligible for GSFA 2020 all entered films must be made between the period July 2018 and July 2020. The competition is open to any company, organization or individual in any country. Entries for the GSFA 2020 close on 28 September 2020. Find out how to submit your film