The Water and Energy for Food challenge fund is a partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The program objectives are to expand the scale of innovations that impact the sectors food and water, food and energy or all three sectors of the nexus, to increase the sustainability of agricultural food value chains, improving energy and water efficiency, and to improve climate resilient agriculture in developing countries and emerging markets in accordance with the SDGs, with a particular focus on the poor and women. The two focus geographical areas are the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South/Southeast Asia. Award size is of a maximum of US$15 million. The closing deadline for applications is 09 December 2019. Link
nonprofit orgs
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) — Resilient Governance in Niger
USAID invites applications to the Resilient Governance in Niger (RGN) Activity. This cooperative agreement for qualified entities aims to improve the service delivery and citizen accountability, stymie community resilience, and increase vulnerability to violent extremism. Themes related to this call include water and sanitation, agriculture, and environmental degradation. Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. organizations (other than those from foreign policy restricted countries) are eligible to apply. The award ceiling is US$19.8 million. The deadline for applications is 10 January 2020. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) — Global Feed the Future Agricultural Biotechnology Program
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applicants to put the Global Feed the Future Agricultural Biotechnology Program into action. The program aims to develop and implement a global program of agricultural biotechnology activities according to specific country and regional priorities. All types of organizations, including public, private, for-profit, or nonprofit organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. governmental organizations, or multilateral or international donor organizations are eligible to apply. The award ceiling for this program is US$20 million. Concept notes must be submitted by the deadline of 17 January 2020. More about this opportunity
Mondi Group — Lead 2030 Challenge for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
The Lead 2030 Challenge for SDG 12 seeks solutions that address necessary changes required to avoid unnecessary waste production. Projects can focus on alternative solutions for waste streams; retail recycling, consumer behavior, cross-industry collaboration; or the reduction of post-harvest losses. The winner will receive a US$50 thousand project grant and 12 months of mentorship from a team of Mondi Group professionals. The project must be youth-led (founded by a person aged 18 – 30). The application deadline is 05 January 2020. About the SDG 12 challenge
Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research — Bridging Grants for Research Collaboration with East and Southeast Asia
The Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research provides bridging grants to Swiss researchers for the extension of small cooperation projects (exchange grant, workshop, seed funding) with Asian partners. The call is open to all scientific disciplines and fields of research. The Fund provides a maximum of CHF 25 thousand for the preparation of a joint project proposal. The Swiss scientist is the main applicant. Collaborators must be scientists affiliated with a university or a public research institute from China, Japan, South Korea, or ASEAN member states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam). The applications deadline is 12 January 2020. Details here
Government of India — Indo-EU Integrated Local Energy Systems
The EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership seeks to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation in energy research and innovation. Proposals should propose to develop solutions and tools for the optimization of the local energy network with high replication potential across Europe and India. DST will fund the Indian consortium members for a maximum project duration of 42 months. There are no minimum or maximum grant amounts. In total, funding of €18 million will be available. In addition to the six mandatory participants (three from India and three from Europe), there is no restriction on the additional number of participating entities/organizations. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, universities, and companies. The deadline for this call is 29 January 2020. More here
U.S. National Academy of Sciences — Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research, Cycle 9
PEER invites scientists in developing countries to work with U.S. collaborators in research and capacity building on priority topics that include environmental contaminants, agricultural productivity and food security, biodiversity conservation, water security, low-carbon development, fisheries assessments, and others. The priorities are different for each PEER focus area (i.e., varying by regions and countries). Projects are anticipated to run for one to three years. Awards involving support for only one institution (single institution awards) range from US$40-80 thousand per year. Awards involving support for more than one institution (multiple institution awards) may receive up to US$100 thousand per year. Applicants must be based at academic institutions, non-profit organizations, or government-managed research laboratories, centers, or institutes in the eligible countries. Applicants need to have at least one research partner in the U.S. that has grant funding from the U.S. government. The deadline for pre-proposals is 10 February 2020. Click here
Famae — Food For Good Challenge
The company Famae seeks innovative and concrete solutions from field to fork to deliver fair, sustainable & healthy food worldwide to everyone. Solutions should be pragmatic, efficient, durable, and money-saving to make life easier for urban citizens while reducing their environmental footprint. Individuals, teams, businesses, government entities, universities and organizations are eligible to apply. The maximum award is €2 million which may be allocated to a single exceptional project to cover the production of a prototype. Applications will be accepted until 14 February 2020. Find the terms and conditions
European Commission — WASH & Management of Natural Resources in Namibia
The European Commission aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations in Namibia. The objective of this call is to improve the participation of CSOs in the implementation of relevant public policies and programs. Priority sectors unter this call include (1) Water Sanitation and Hygiene, and (2) Management of Natural Resources. Grants requested must fall between €250 thousand and €600 thousand. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations registered in the EU or Namibia. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 19 December 2019. Find the call
Mohammed Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity — Climate Change Challenge
The Global Makers Challenge invites innovative start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses to submit solutions to solve real-world problems. The current Climate Change challenge seeks solutions that will empower communities, especially those in developing countries, to eliminate waste and use existing resources through low-carbon, circular approaches. Applications are invited from innovators around the world without any geographical limitations. The winner receives prizes, including cash and mentorship. The deadline is 31 January 2020. Find the Challenges