The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University (Texas, USA) invites student teams to participate in the Rice Business Plan Competition 2018. Entrepreneurs receive the opportunity to pitch their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and enhance their startup strategy. Typically, startups have a technology component in one of the three sectors (1) Energy/Clean Technology; (2) Life Science/Biotechnology; or (3) Information Technology. The competition is open to degree-seeking students currently enrolled at a U.S. or non-U.S. university. The grand prize winner receives a $300 thousand investment. The application deadline is 09 February 2018. About the Competition 2018
biotechnology
French Institute for Development Research — Creation of International Laboratories
The French Institute for Development Research (IRD) calls for projects for the creation of international mixed laboratories (LMI) with the aim to strengthen the international influence of higher education and research centers in developing countries. Proposals should be co-built and co-led by teams from one or more research institutions in the developing world, and supervised by an IRD member. Proposals related to observation systems for environments are particularly welcome. The deadline for application is 21 February 2018. Find details
UK Natural Environment Research Council — Understanding Risk Forum 2018
Young professionals with passion for risk communication are invited to apply for the Pressure Cooker event on Risk Communication at the 2018 Understanding Risk Forum in Mexico City, 14-18 May 2018. Up to 20 professionals and students from all around the world will test their innovative, creative, scientific and technological skills to co-develop risk communication solutions to real world problems facing local decision makers. Financial support for travel, accommodation and subsistence is available for a limited number of applicants. Applications have to be submitted before 26 January 2018. More about the event
American Academy for the Advancement of Science — Global Innovation through Science and Technology 2018
The program Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) invites scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators in 136 emerging countries to compete in the GIST Tech-I Competition 2018. The competition is open to everyone between the ages of 18 to 40 in any sector who has either an idea or a startup in the form of an invention, a product, a service, an app, any combination of these, or something entirely unique. Each participant in the competition submits an executive summary and a promotional video. The top 10 semi-finalists will advance to the Tech-I finals during the 2018 Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Istanbul, Turkey to showcase their ventures and receive intensive training. The application deadline is 28 December 2017. More here
United Nations University — Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships 2018
The United Nations University offers postdoctoral fellowships to young scholars and policymakers, especially from the developing world. One fellowships program is with the UNU’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS); the other is with the UNU’s Center for Policy Research (UNU-CPR). The research themes include ecosystem services; water and urban development; governance for sustainable development; low-carbon technology; and others. There are no nationality requirements, but applicants should be fluent in English. The closing date for applications is 28 February 2018. About this Fellowship
AuthorAID — Small Grants for Researchers in Developing Countries: Travel Grants
AuthorAID announces its second round of small travel grants to support researchers in developing countries with travel and workshops. AuthorAID plans to award five travel grants of US$1,500 each for early-career researchers to present their research at an academic conference. AuthorAID posts the list of eligible developing countries. The deadline to apply for travel grants is 03 January 2018. More about the travel grants for researchers
Swissuniversities Development and Cooperation Network — Consortia for North-South Education and Research (2nd Call)
The Swissuniversities Development and Cooperation Network (SUDAC) calls for various types of Swiss higher education institutions to partner with each other and with partners in the Global South to develop Consortia for Education and Research (COFER). COFER will aim for stronger integration of research, education, and implementation through new collaborative networks oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Each COFER must address at least two SDGs; provide at least 50% matching funds; and provide funding for partners in the Global South. The application deadline for the current, 2nd call is 28 February 2018. About COFER
ETH Zurich — Seed Grants for Swiss-Asian Research Collaboration 2018
In partnership with Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), ETH Zurich promotes scientific cooperation with key institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. ETH Zurich currently calls for proposals from Swiss researchers with partners in China (incl. Hong Kong and Taiwan), Japan, South Korea, and the ASEAN region. The call is open for activities in all scientific disciplines and fields of research. The maximum grant is CHF 25 thousand. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2017. Know more
World Academy of Sciences — Visiting Experts Program
The Elsevier Foundation and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) are partners in the Visiting Expert Program in sustainability science. The program supports visits of distinguished scientists to institutions in developing countries, with a focus on 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Host institutions in eligible countries can invite distinguished scientists to collaborate in research and training. The visit should provide a minimum stay of two weeks at the host institution. Institutions wishing to be considered for this program should submit the request form before 01 March 2018. Be a Visiting Expert
African Innovation Fund — Innovation Prize for Africa 2018
The Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) honors and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency, or saving cost in Africa. Priority areas for the IPA include agriculture and agribusiness; environment, energy, and water; and others. The competition is open to African entrepreneurs, academics, and inventors — and to Africans in the Diaspora if their innovations are of significance for Africa. Prizes are US$100 thousand for the winner, plus two other prizes of US$25 thousand each. Additionally, finalists will receive a voucher for US$5 thousand in post-prize technical support to assist in moving their innovations to the next step. The deadline for applications is 10 January 2018. Link