Wageningen University, in collaboration with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation, seeks concept notes to strengthen seed sector development in Uganda, with a focus on vegetable seed. The fund will support four innovation projects, with a grant size €25 to €50 thousand, with an additional 50% matching contribution from the grantee. Applications are invited from domestic and foreign companies in the vegetable sector. Applying companies can partner with research institutes, universities, and NGOs. The deadline for concept notes is 29 September 2017. Learn more
business/enterprise
Mennonite Economic Development Associates — Non-Traditional Finance for Agricultural Innovations
MEDA calls for proposals focusing on non-traditional finance to catalyze agricultural innovation by smallholder farmers in East Africa, the Andes region of South America, and South Asia. The call is open to private enterprises (including cooperatives and producer associations), financial institutions, finance-oriented organizations, research institutions, and NGOs. Applicants may be based in the target regions or outside the target regions, but project implementation must be in the target regions. Successful proposals will be awarded up to CAD $200 thousand (pilot award) or up to CAD $50 thousand (case study award). The submission deadline is 06 October 2017. Find the call for proposals
Rothamsted Research — Agri-Tech in China
With funding by the UK Government and implementation led by Rothamsted Research, the Agri-Tech in China: Newton Network + (ATCNN) addresses challenges facing the agri-tech and agri-food sector in China. The program will provide UK excellence in satellite imaging, remote sensing, smart sensors, robotics, and data-intensive science for new solutions for agricultural productivity and sustainability in rural China. Applications are currently invited for the Small Projects Awards. Projects must be led by either a UK business or a UK research organisation. Projects with actual or in-kind support from Chinese partners will be given priority. The application deadline is 15 September 2017. Guidance for applicants
Innovate UK — UK-Guangdong Urban Innovation Challenge 2017
Innovate UK and the Guangdong Department of Science and Technology seek to support innovative urban solutions in Guangdong province, China. The themes include smart platforms for sustainable urban environments, as well as others. Total project costs can range from £350 thousand to £500 thousand for projects of up to two years. UK business need to partner with at least one Chinese business. Registration closes on 27 September 2017. Learn more
European Commission — Mediterranean Cross-Border Cooperation
The EC announces the first call for proposals of the ENI CBC “Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020″. The program aims to promote business and entrepreneurship (including in agriculture), and to promote coordination of efforts for environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Project partnerships should be composed of a minimum of three eligible countries, including at least one EU Mediterranean Country and one Mediterranean Partner Country. Partner countries are Jordan, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia (and others expected to be announced soon). The closing date for project submissions is 09 November 2017. Find more information
ASEAN Impact Challenge — Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals
This regional programme is designed to discover innovators and strengthen new innovations from Southeast Asia. Categories are early-stage innovations (proposals, ideas, concepts and prototypes) and scale-stage innovation (proven social innovations with the potential and capacity to increase impact). Initiatives by participant teams have ranged from waste management, agriculture, and environment — among others. Finalists will showcase their innovations to investors and other corporate organisations. The deadline for entries is 09 September 2017. More about the ASEAN Impact Challenge
Innovate UK — UK-Malaysia Urban Innovation Challenge 2017
Innovate UK is investing in projects that use cutting-edge solutions to improve cities in Malaysia. UK businesses can apply to work with Malaysian partners on collaborative technological solutions that address urban mobility, urban waste, and urban water management. Funding is up to £500 thousand per project. Registration closes on 30 August 2017. Link
Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data — Data for Development Projects, 2nd Round
The GPSDD seeks innovative proposals for data production, dissemination, and use. This year’s call is anchored around two themes: “Leave No One Behind,” and the Environment. The focus in Environment is to bring together new sources of data (big data, geospatial and earth observation, citizen-generated, IoT, and open data) to support environmental challenges related to climate change and urban resilience. Smaller amounts of funding (starting at US$25 thousand) are made for riskier, unproven innovations at the pilot stage. Larger amounts of funding (up to US$250 thousand) will be awarded to proposals which have a clear justification. The pilot funding round will close on 01 September 2017. Link
Netherlands Enterprise Agency — Sustainable Water Fund, Round 2
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency manages the Sustainable Water Fund (FDW) as a public-private partnership for water safety and water security in developing countries. Projects are collective initiatives between governmental bodies, industries, and NGOs. The thematic areas are improved access to drinking water and sanitation (including solid waste); efficient and sustainable water use, particularly for agriculture; and safe deltas and improved basin management. The deadline for concept notes (second round) is 08 December 2017. Link
Adaptation Futures 2018 — Dialogues for Solutions
Adaptation Futures is the biennial conference of the Global Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA). The Conference provides an opportunity for international networking and dialogue with more than 1000 participants from academia, government, civil society and business — all aiming to take climate adaptation forward. Early-career researchers and practitioners are encouraged to participate and will be accommodated in as many sessions as possible. Adaptation Futures 2018 takes place from 18-21 June 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. Applications for attendance grants will be accepted from 15 October 2017 to 15 January 2018. Link