The Off-Grid Energy Challenge invites applications from early-stage energy entrepreneurs in West Africa who are running businesses that generate or can be powered by off-grid energy. Businesses must have at least an existing prototype and business model to enter. The winners of the competition will receive free business, legal, and financial services and the chance to pitch for up to US$5 thousand in prize capital. Up to three teams will be accepted into the programme. The deadline for applications (English, French, Portuguese) is 21 November 2016. Link
business/enterprise
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in Timor-Leste
In support of conservation in the Wallacea Biodiversity Hotspot, CEPF invites letters of inquiry from organizations wishing to work in or affect key biodiversity areas and species in Timor-Leste. Eligibility for funding extends to NGOs, community groups, private enterprises, universities, and other civil society organizations. Typical grants are US$100 thousand for periods of 12 to 30 months, although CEPF will consider proposals up to US$300 thousand for exceptionally qualified applicants. The closing date for letters of inquiry is 13 December 2016. Link
European Commission — Sustainable Energy in the Philippines
The EC will make grants to increase the availability of electricity generated from renewable energy in off-grid rural and semi-urban communities of the Philippines. The grants will be made in four lots, each with a different objective. Grants are up to €4 million, varying by lots and cost shares. The lead applicants should be NGOs, private or public utility operators, international organizations, foundations, electric cooperatives, or academic institutions in the EU, the Philippines, or other countries eligible under Europe’s DCI regulation. The application deadline is 31 January 2017. Link
UK Department for International Development — Agri-Tech Catalyst for Developing Countries
The Agri-Tech Catalyst aims to increase the pace and scale of uptake of agricultural innovation by farmers in developing countries. Projects should focus in any of three categories: early-stage technical feasibility; industrial research; or late-stage experimental development. Project leaders must be UK businesses (or UK research organizations in the case of early-stage technical feasibility). Projects should include at least one consortium member from an eligible developing country. The amount of project co-funding available through DFID varies by category and business size. The deadlines for registration are 26 October 2016 for industrial research, and 25 January 2017 for the other two categories. Link
World Bank — Big Data Innovation Challenge
The World Bank is interested in how “big data” can be used to address development questions, including how climate change affects food security and forestry and watersheds. Solutions may include but are not limited to analytical methodologies, APIs, algorithms, software applications, tools, and new data set generation. Technologies may include artificial intelligence, crowd-sourcing applications, data science, dynamic visualizations, machine learning, and predictive analytics. The Challenge will award US$10 thousand to the winner in each of the following two categories: (i) food security or nutrition, and (ii) forestry or watersheds. Submissions are invited from individuals, students, entrepreneurs, start-ups, university labs, private companies, nonprofits, and public sector agencies legally established in member countries of the World Bank Group. The closing date for submissions is 09 November 2016. Link
Newton Fund — Agri-Food Innovation in Turkey
The Newton Fund promotes partnerships in science and innovation to promote the economic development and social welfare of 16 partner countries, including Turkey. The current call for proposals invites UK companies in partnership with Turkish companies to address three challenges: (i) using waste products and residues from Turkey’s agri-food industry to reduce environmental impact and add value; (ii) improving the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers in Turkey; and (iii) improving animal and plant breeding in Turkey. The amount of available co-funding varies with business size. The deadline for registration is 16 November 2016. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Water and Sanitation in Madagascar
USAID will fund a 5-year program in Madagascar (the “RANO WASH program”) to expand the country’s supply of potable water and improve sanitation in approximately 250 rural communes. The program will work with the Government of Madagascar, NGOs and private enterprises, academic and research institutions, and others to achieve sustainable water management for households and municipalities. USAID intends to offer one award. Eligibility for funding is open to nonprofit and for-profit organizations in any country. Funding Opportunity RFA-687-16-000007. The application deadline is 17 October 2016. Link
Securing Water for Food — SWFF Grants, Round 4
The Securing Water for Food Grand Challenge for Development (SWFF) is a collaborative initiative among the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Swedish International Development Agency, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of South Africa. The current call for proposals focuses on improving water efficiency and reusing agricultural wastewater; effective water capture and storage systems for extending temporal availability of water supply; and management of salinity in water supplies. Awardees will receive between US$100 thousand and US$2 million in funding and acceleration support to bring their innovations to scale. The deadline for applications is 10 October 2016. Link
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Program for Mexico 2016
In “Wildlife Without Borders, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) partners with Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) to invite projects that build Mexico’s capacity for biodiversity conservation. Grants should focus on projects that improve the capacities of Mexican government agencies and local communities to protect wildlife from illegal trafficking and over-exploitation. Applications are invited from government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, private-sector entities, and individuals. The maximum grant is US$500 thousand for two years. The deadline for applications is 17 October 2016. Link
U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) — Off-Grid Clean Energy in India, 2nd Funding Round
The PACEsetter Fund aims to accelerate the commercialization of off-grid clean energy by providing early-stage grants that allow businesses to develop and test innovative products, business models, and systems. Projects must focus on small-scale systems that improve the viability of off-grid renewable energy for under-served individuals and communities in India that do not have grid-connected power, or that have limited or intermittent access. Grants will range from US$50 thousand to US$300 thousand. The deadline for expressions of interest is 12 August 2016. Link