The UK’s NERC invites applications for Knowledge Exchange Fellowships that address issues and opportunities around green infrastructure in urban areas of the UK or developing countries. The objective is to influence local policymakers and businesses to support the development of urban green zones, urban ecosystem services, sustainable drainage systems, and other examples of green infrastructure. Eligibility to apply extends to applicants based in UK higher education institutions, and to NERC research centres and independent research organisations approved by NERC (if the science the work builds on was funded by NERC). Private, public, and third-sector organisations are eligible as end users and as partners in proposals. The deadline for applications is 27 April 2017. Link
research
Southern Africa Network for Biosciences — Innovative Solutions in Nutrition
The Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio) is a NEPAD program for collaborative research, development, and innovation addressing challenges in health and nutrition in Southern Africa. The SANBio/BioFISA II Programme invites
proposals for innovative solutions in the nutrition sector. Themes are value addition to indigenous foods; post-harvest technologies; and other nutrition innovations for the SADC region. The SANBio member states are Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The application deadline is 28 March 2017. Link
Drivers of Food Choice — Competitive Grants Program
With funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s Department for International Development, the program “Drivers of Food Choice” solicits applications for research projects that will provide a deep understanding of the drivers of food choice and the relationship with agriculture among the poor in the world’s low- and middle-income countries. Research grants can be awarded to any organization (e.g., research organizations, NGOs, government institutions, and private-sector organizations) committed to improving food and nutrition security in one or more of the 41 countries that account for 90% of global under-nutrition. The program expects to fund seven research grants of up to US$300 thousand each. The deadline for concept memos is 01 April 2017. Link
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey — Research Fellowships 2017
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) awards research fellowships to international highly qualified PhD students and young postdoctoral researchers. Applicants should be non-Turkish citizens who are age 35 or younger. Preference is for candidates who have the potential to contribute to Turkey’s international cooperation in scientific and technological development. The fields of research collaboration include agricultural sciences, among others. The maximum length of the fellowship is 12 months. The application deadlines in 2017 are 06 March through 07 April, and from 05 September through 06 October. Link
Australian Aid and Tata Group — XPrize for Water Abundance
Sponsored by the Tata Group jointly with Australian Aid, the Water Abundance XPRIZE invites teams to revolutionize access to water by creating a device that uses renewable energy to extract a minimum of 2,000 liters of water per day from the atmosphere at a combined operating and capital cost of no more than two cents per liter. Eligibility to compete for the prize extends to teams of scientists, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators from all over the world. The grand prize is US$1.5 million, and the competition will award additional (milestone) prizes of US$250 thousand. The registration deadline is 28 April 2017. Link
World Academy of Sciences — C.N.R. Rao Prize for Scientific Research 2017
The prize is named after TWAS Founding Fellow and former president C.N.R. Rao to honor TWAS Fellows from the developing world. The special focus is scientists in the world’s scientifically lagging and least-developed countries who have made significant contributions to global science. The amount of the prize is US$5 thousand. The closing date is 31 May 2017. Link
UK Natural Environment Research Council — Research on Water Quality, UK and India
The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council, in partnership with the UK’s Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council and India’s Department of Science and Technology, invite proposals on research to improve water quality. The programme aims to provide a better understanding of the sources and fate of different pollutants, and to support the development of management strategies and technologies to reduce pollution levels. Proposals are sought for collaborative projects involving researchers from both the UK and India. The deadline for notifications of intent to submit is 30 March 2017. Link
World Food Program — Sustainable Food and National Security
The World Food Program’s Centre of Excellence against Hunger, in partnership with the University Centre of Brasília, invite research papers on the topic ”Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security: Building Bridges between Durable Agricultural Practices and School Feeding Programmes.” The contest is open worldwide to students enrolled in graduate programs, as well as professors and graduate researchers in social and political sciences, and nutrition. The three top winners will participate in international study trips organized by the WFP Centre of Excellence. Articles must be submitted in English. The application deadline is 02 April 2017. Link
Organization for Tropical Studies — Research Fellowship Program 2017
The OTS manages a research fellowship program to support field research in tropical biology and related fields. The program offers three types of awards: pilot awards for exploratory research; thesis research fellowships; and ECTS-GS fellowships. Most awards are restricted to three OTS field stations in Costa Rica. Exceptions are one annual fellowship for research at the Cocha Cashu field station in Peru, and the Hovore-Horn Entomology awards in any Latin American country. Proposals may be submitted in English or Spanish. The application deadlines are 01 March and 01 October. Link
Feed the Future — Data-Driven Farming Prize
The Data-Driven Farming Prize seeks tools and approaches that use data to help smallholder farmers improve their agricultural productivity and value. Feed the Future invites proposals for data-driven approaches to be tested in Nepal to improve the productivity of rice, other cereals, and vegetables. Eligibility to compete for the prize extends worldwide to individuals, groups, organizations, and companies — in all sources and sectors — particularly local innovators in South Asia. The judging panel will award two grants of US$100 thousand each, and two others of US$50 thousand each, to the proposals with highest potential. The deadline for applications is 06 April 2017. Link