The USISTEF announces its 7th competitive call for proposals to commercialize technologies for societal impact. Priority areas include health, education, agriculture, water, and others. Proposals must include at least one partner from each country, India and USA. Funding is up to Rs. 2.5 crores (approximately US$400 thousand) for projects that demonstrate a high potential to be commercial within 2-3 years. The bi-national teams can include incorporated companies; non-incorporated entities; and individuals or consortia from academic, government, and non-government R&D institutions. The deadline for proposals is 15 June 2016. Link
business/enterprise
FIRE Africa — ICT for African Development
The Fund for Internet Research and Development (FIRE Africa) promotes innovative online solutions to Africa’s needs in education, information, infrastructure, and communication. FIRE Africa can support any project that makes use of ICT to solve problems in the field. For example, previous winners include several organizations working in agriculture. Eligibility to apply extends to private and public organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. Grants are up to US$25 thousand for periods of 12-16 months. The application deadline is 31 May 2016. Link
Belgian Development Agency (BTC) — Fair and Sustainable Trade in Precious Metals
BTC’s program in Trade for Development offers grants to improve the market access of organizations that are committed to fair and sustainable trade, including trade in precious metals. Among other objectives, project activities include the reduction of negative environmental impacts of mining and metals extraction. Grants ranging from €50 thousand to €100 thousand are available to private nonprofit and private for-profit organizations (if composed of 50% or more cooperative producers) in the following countries: Algeria, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Dem Rep Congo, Ecuador, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Rwanda,Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Vietnam. The application deadline is 10 July 2016. Link
European Commission (EC) — Improved Banana Production in Cameroon
The EC will make grants to increase banana productivity in Cameroon in order to aid the country’s export competitiveness. The actions include improvement of environmental and social conditions in banana plantations, as well as measures to raise productivity and decrease costs. The program is open to established banana exporters that sold at least 2,000 tons of dessert bananas to the EU in 2015. Grants will range from €500 thousand to €1 million, varying with cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/151036/DD/ACT/CM. The deadline for submissions is 25 April 2016. Link