The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean invites young Caribbean entrepreneurs (18-34 years) to submit innovative water-related project ideas to the Young Caribbean Water Entrepreneurs Shark Tank Competition. Project ideas should focus on water resources management in the Caribbean region and focus on one of five thematic areas: (1) Water and Climate; (2) Water and Agriculture; (3) Water and Health; (4) Water and Energy; (5) Water and Tourism. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas for a chance to secure seed funding of US$4 thousand. The deadline for submission of project ideas is 04 August 2024. Shark Tank Competition
energy
Inter-American Development Bank — Bioeconomy Entrepreneurship in the Amazon Basin
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) seeks to support innovative bio-businesses in the Amazon Basin capable of supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the resilience of targeted value chains and ecosystems in the Amazon region. Applicants can apply for technical assistance in the order of US$ 250 thousand to a maximum of US$ 500 thousand. Eligibility extends to startups, cooperatives, innovation agencies, producer associations, and knowledge institutions. Proposals will be received on a rolling basis until 15 May 2025. Bioeconomy Entrepreneurship
SEED — Replicator Workshop for Eco-Enterprises
The SEED Replicator program offers incubation workshops to identify opportunities for enterprise creation and to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking for partnerships to build an eco-inclusive business model. Successful alumni can apply for a SEED Grant which pays for your immediate necessary activities, measures, or machinery required to establish the new enterprise. SEED Replicator Program currently invites applications from entrepreneurs in India. Participation is free, although participants need to cover their transportation costs and accommodation. The application deadline is 26 February 2024. Click here to join
Repsol Foundation — Energy Transition
The Repsol Foundation supports entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs that provide technological solutions to meet the challenges of the Energy Transition. The Foundation invites startups that have passed the pre-commercial phase and reached the testing phase with real customers to apply to the Entrepreneurs Fund. The Fund provides financial aid of up to €120 thousand and mentorship from former Repsol employees for one year. Repsol invites startups from the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. The program supports industrial technology solutions in low-carbon energy technologies, biotechnology, renewable energies, and natural solutions for reducing the carbon footprint. The application deadline is 31 March 2024. Entrepreneurs Fund
U.S. Mission to Lesotho — Self-Help Program
The special self-help program of the U.S. Embassy to Lesotho supports small, sustainable community-based initiatives that have an immediate and strong impact on the local community. The Embassy expects to support different types of projects: from development projects such as agricultural cooperatives to women’s empowerment and the environment. Grants typically range from US$3 thousand to US$10 thousand per project. All applicants must include a significant community contribution. The Embassy welcomes applications from Lesotho-based nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and citizens. The closing date for applications is 08 April 2024. Self-Help Program
World Bank — PhD Scholarship for Research in Development
The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) provides support to PhD candidates from developing countries to conduct PhD research on a development topic in a World Bank member country other than the Fellow’s home country. The funding is for 6-10 months in any field of applied research that addresses poverty alleviation. The fellowship offers compensation, totaling $42,750 per fellow. Candidates must be enrolled in a PhD program and be under 35 years old. The application deadline is 28 February 2024. Link to RSMFP
Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World — Early-Career Fellowship
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) supports female scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with doctoral fellowships in the natural sciences. The early-career fellowships are for the pursuit of a doctoral degree at a host institution in a developing country that is not the applicant’s home country. The Fellowship is for two years and provides up to US$50 thousand. Applicants should be qualified young women science graduates (generally below 40 years of age), who have an M.Sc. degree or outstanding B.Sc. in the natural sciences. The eligible scientific fields include agricultural sciences; biological systems and organisms; and many others. The deadline for submission of applications is 14 March 2024. OWSD Early-Career Fellowship
African Impact Initiative — Business Challenge
The African Impact Challenge supports early-stage African entrepreneurs. In 2024, the challenge focuses on Botswana. Top-performing teams will receive up to US$25 thousand in either grant funding or a simple agreement for future equity investment. Projects and business ideas can focus on any sector as long as they are impact-focused entrepreneurship as a means of livelihood. The idea should address an identified problem/challenge and provide a comprehensive solution using a technology component. Registration for the 2024 challenge closes on 15 April 2024. African Impact Challenge
Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs — Women-led Clean Energy Enterprises
Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) launches the Improving Outcomes for Women-led Clean Energy Enterprises through Applied Research. The initiative will fund actionable research that aims to build the evidence base on these barriers and potential solutions. ANDE aims to support collaborative research projects led by practitioners and researchers based in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. ANDE will fund six research projects on women in the clean energy sector, each eligible for a grant of up to US$60 thousand. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2024. Know more
Village Capital — Greentech Europe
Village Capital launches an investment readiness program to support gender-diverse ventures creating sustainable economic, environmental, and social solutions across Europe. The program currently accepts 50 additional startups to participate in an online, self-paced investment-readiness curriculum. The program will run for twelve weeks. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, through 18 March 2024. Greentech Europe