The Global Grand Challenge Awards invite applications from startup enterprises that are attacking the world’s most difficult problems. Three teams in each of 12 tracks will be invited to California in August 2017 to present their work at the Singularity University Global Summit EXPO. One winner will be selected from each track to be assisted with recognition and exposure. The tracks include disaster resilience, energy, environment, food, water, and others. The application deadline is 31 July 2017. Link
natural disasters
International Center for Climate Governance — Best Climate Practices
The Best Climate Practices contest for 2017 focuses on actionable ideas and concrete projects to support urban and/or rural communities in preparing and responding to climate disasters, improving local resilience through enhanced preparedness (ex-ante), and/or capacity to recover (ex-post). The contest is open to individuals, teams, or organizations regardless of nationality, age, or qualifications. The contest winner will be awarded €3 thousand. The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2017. Link
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification — “Land for Life” Award 2017
The UNCCD presents the “Land for Life” Award for inspiring efforts in land conservation and management. Eligibility is open to individuals and institutions worldwide that are making a significant and innovative contribution to reduce the impacts of land degradation and desertification. In particular, the focus is on helping communities at risk or forced to abandon their homes due to insecurity deriving from environmental degradation. Award winners will receive a support package from the UNCCD Secretariat to include networking with interested organizations; assistance to promote the winning initiatives nationally and internationally; and opportunities to showcase them at national and international events. The deadline for applications is 28 February 2017. Link
Buckminster Fuller Institute — Buckminster Fuller Challenge 2017
The Challenge is an annual prize of US$100 thousand to invite ideas to radically advance human well-being and ecosystem health. Entries in prior years include several in energy, water, agriculture, natural disasters, etc., with relevance in developing countries. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
World Academy of Sciences — Sustainability Case Studies
In partnership with the Elsevier Foundation, TWAS calls for case studies which present issues and challenges for sustainable development through real-life situations. The contest is open to current TWAS and OWSD PhD Fellowship recipients. The categories are green and sustainable chemistry; energy; agriculture and food security; water and sanitation; science education and the workforce; and climate change and disaster and risk reduction. The winner in each category will be awarded US$1 thousand. The deadline for submissions is 01 February 2017. Link
European Commission — Capacity to Address Extraordinary Disasters
The EC’s Directorate for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection calls for projects which address temporary shortcomings of response capacities in extraordinary disasters. The objective is to establish “buffer capacities” to add stand-by availability of rapid response capacities. Included are responses to disasters caused by flooding and forest fires. In addition to EU member states, eligibility to participate extends to Iceland, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey. The deadline for submitting proposals is 06 February 2017. Link
Global Affairs Canada — Agri-Food Value Chains and Adaptation to Climate Change in Haiti
The Government of Canada calls for proposals to promote strengthened agri-food value chains and adaptation to climate change in Haiti. Areas that were severely affected by Hurricane Matthew require increased support to restore agricultural production capacity and infrastructure. Projects should focus on two or three of the departments of Artibonite, Sud, and Grand-Anse. Eligibility for funding extends to Canadian and non-Canadian organizations, including private-sector organizations. Grants will range from $3 million to $15 million. The application deadline is 06 April 2017. Link
International Council for Science — IRDR Young Scientists Program
The International Council for Science, in collaboration with several partner organizations, invites applications for the IRDR (Integrated Research on Disaster Risk) Young Scientists Program. The program offers scientists under age 40 of any nationality the opportunity to engage with a global network of professionals and practitioners. Benefits include international linkages and the possibility to be invited for additional training. Applicants need to be affiliated with an academic program (either master or doctorate), either as a student or as a young faculty. The closing date for applications is 10 December 2016. Link
UK Newton Fund — Collaboration UK with Brazil on Urban Environments
With support by the Newton Fund, Innovate UK invites businesses to work with Brazilian partners on innovative urban development solutions in Brazil. Subject areas include management of urban water and sanitation, renewable energy, addressing natural disasters, and others. Projects must be led by a UK business, and must include at least one Brazilian partner. The deadline for registration is 26 April 2017. Link
UK Met Office — Collaboration with Brazil in Climate Science
The Climate Science for Service Partnership Brazil (CSSP Brazil) announces grants for UK researchers on subjects of climate change and disaster risk in Brazil. The focal areas are models of vegetation dynamics; the use of in situ forest observations and measurements to evaluate models; the use of regional scale observations and measurements to evaluate models; and detection and attribution of impacts of climate change in Brazil. The application deadline is 31 October 2016. Link