Rockstart funds and empowers purpose-driven founders scaling impactful solutions by leveraging emerging technologies and new business models that improve the food supply. Rockstart invests in early-stage startups with a focus on agri-tech and food-tech. It seeks solutions that restore soils and oceans to become powerhouses for CO2 capture, innovations that create value from wasted food and reduce food loss, and tools that provide consumers with better access to trustworthy, nutritious food. Rockstart provides co-investments, mentorship, and market introductions. Applications close 01 April 2024. Rockstart AgriFood Program
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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
U.S. Mission to Malawi — Self-Help Program
The special self-help program of the U.S. Embassy to Malawi 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 and aquacultural 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 Malawi-based nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and citizens. The closing date for applications is 30 April 2024. Self-Help Program
Food and Agriculture Organization — FAO Fellowships 2024
The FAO Fellowship Programme is designed to attract fellows — typically PhD students, researchers, and professors — who have an advanced level of relevant technical knowledge and experience in any field of agriculture, fisheries, or forestry. Fellows will be assigned to supervisors in FAO’s headquarters or its regional, sub-regional, or country offices. Applicants should have a graduate or post-graduate degree, or be enrolled in a PhD program. FAO encourages qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non- and under-represented member countries to apply. There are no age limits. The application deadline is 25 August 2024. Learn more
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
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Fellowship Program
The FAO Fellows Program offers scholarships for Master of Science degree courses in Hungary. The scholarship will cover application and tuition fees, dormitory accommodation, subsistence costs, and health insurance. Selected candidates may be asked to take a written or oral English examination as part of the admission procedure. Applicants have to be nationals of a FAO Member Nation. The closing date for applications is 29 February 2024. FAO Fellowship Program
RespectOcean — Ocean Pitch Challenge
The Ocean Pitch Challenge seeks economically viable solutions for the protection of the oceans and its marine and coastal ecosystems. 10 finalists will get a chance to pitch their ideas and have their solutions funded by investors. The call for applications closes on 29 February 2024. Ocean Pitch Challenge
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
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Vietnam
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Vietnam. The priorities under this call include women’s economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, and investing in the poorest and most vulnerable (which may include agriculture or aquaculture projects), as well as environment, climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, and water management. The average contribution is C$15 thousand to C$30 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 17 March 2024. CFLI Vietnam
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