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
biotechnology
Euromena Consulting — Awards for African Start-ups
Euromena Consulting launches the first edition of its Euromena Awards. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. Proposed projects should be related to Africa and/or be established in the region. The three winners will receive coaching and support for 6 months and share a €10 thousand financial reward. Applications must be sent before 22 October 2017. Find out more
UK Natural Environment Research Council — Exploring Colombian Bio Resources
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) invite research proposals under the ‘Exploring and understanding Colombian bio resources’ call. Collaborative UK and Colombian research projects should support the identification and understanding of the benefits provided by biodiversity, new technologies, and social frameworks.The specific themes are described in the announcement. Eligibility extends to UK based researchers. The closing date for initial applications is 24 October 2017. See the Announcement of Opportunity
Masdar Institute — Graduate Studies in Environmental Sciences in the UAE
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi provides a cross-disciplinary program of study and research focused on sustainable technologies and policies. Masdar offers full financial scholarships to qualified candidates for masters and doctoral degree programs. Subject areas include water and environmental engineering, among others. For international applicants, the application deadline is 31 October 2017. About the Scholarships
Global Social Venture Competition — Competition 2018
The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) is a partnership of business schools in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and funding to support their social ventures. Past winners include plans for water supply, energy micro-credit, agricultural technology, ecological building materials, and other environmental themes. The GSVC will award cash prizes up to US$40 thousand. The deadline for the first entry round in all regions is 04 December 2017. About the Competition
India Department of Science & Technology — Indo-Hungarian Joint Research
The Indian Department of Science & Technology (DST) calls for proposals for joint research projects between India and Hungary. Grants are to promote collaborative projects between at least one Indian and one Hungarian scientist. Themes are energy and water; biotechnology; and others. Proposals must be submitted in English. The application deadline is 17 November 2017. More Information
Research Council of Norway — India/Norway Research on Bio-Economy
India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Research Council of Norway (RCN) will jointly fund Indo-Norwegian research in mutually agreed fields. The current call in the field of bio-economy research will focus on the following topics: agriculture and land-based food; biotech; aquaculture; and bioenergy/biofuel. Joint proposals must be developed in cooperation between principal investigators representing a research institution in Norway and a research institution in India. The application period is 11 October 2017 through 22 November 2017. Learn more
UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council — Biotechnology for Industrial Waste in India
The governments of the UK and India are collaborating to co-sponsor the Newton Bhabba UK-India Industrial Waste Challenge 2017. Projects should address reducing industrial waste and pollution, and improve value recovery from waste using biotechnology in one or more of five defined industrial sectors. The total grant will not exceed £2 million per project for UK partners. The Government of India will provide match funding for Indian project partners. Either a business or a research organisation can lead the project in the UK. Only Indian academic institutions or research organisations can lead the project in India.The deadline for registration is 11 October 2017. Link
EU Horizon 2020 — INDIGO Young Scientist Competition 2016
The India-Europe Research Partnerships (INDIGO) announces the 2016 Young Scientist Competition for PhD students and early-career researchers in India and the EU. Six young researchers will be invited to the EU-India Cooperation Days in September (Goa, India) to present their ideas on a global or societal challenge pertinent to research cooperation between EU and India in the fields of bio-economy, biotechnology, or bio-based energy. The winner of the competition will be awarded a fully-covered trip to a scientific conference of her/his choice in Europe or India. The deadline for expressions of interest is 01 July 2016. Link
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund — International Cooperation for Blue Economy
The EC’s Maritime and Fisheries Fund will support trans-national regional collaboration to improve the blue economy in sea basins important to Europe, i.e., the Atlantic, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean, and North Sea. Each consortium should focus on a specific blue-growth technology or value chain. Examples include biotechnology, aquaculture, coastal and marine tourism, tidal or offshore wind energy, and others. Each consortia will develop a strategic investment plan as well as bankable demonstration projects. Applicants established in certain non-EU countries (defined in the announcement) are eligible to participate in Blue Economy if they are necessary to achieve the objectives of the action. The deadline for proposals is 30 September 2016. Link