The Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security honors and offers financial support to an outstanding research project for its potential impact on the availability, affordability, accessibility, or adequacy of food. Olam invites applications from research projects in plant science, soil science, nutritional science, agricultural sciences, and any other field of scientific research impacting food security, focused on any part of the agricultural supply chain. The winning research project will receive US$50 thousand in unrestricted funding to support further development of the research project. The deadline for applications is 17 January 2017. Link
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European Commission Horizon 2020 — Sustainable Food Security 2017
The Horizon 2020 program of research and innovation includes topics that are suitable for international cooperation. This includes cooperation in several projects of sustainable food security (SFS). Topic SFS-8-2017 will research accessible and cost-efficient alternatives to contentious inputs (e.g., copper) in organic farming. Topic SFS-10-2017 will explore methods to detect and arrest emerging diseases and pests in plants and terrestrial livestock. Topic SFS-13-2017 will focus on protocols for the detection and quantification of pathogens and other factors of concern for the health of plants and terrestrial animals, and correlates of infection/immunity. Topic SFS-21-2016-2017 will support research on the knowledge base and management tools for fisheries in waters of third countries with which the EU has signed sustainable fisheries partnership agreements, and in international waters covered by regional fisheries management organisations. Topic SFS-30-2017 will support research on effective solutions for managing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in agro-ecosystems. Topic SFS-43-2017 invites research proposals on using Earth observation assets to advance the projection of food supply and agricultural risk assessment in Africa. Topic SFS-46-2017 aims to reduce the use of anti-microbial drugs for treating farm animals in Europe and China. Topic SFS-47-2017 addresses the topic of soil-water management for increased crop production and agro-ecosystem services in Europe and China. Topic SFS-48-2017 aims to research resource-efficient urban agriculture, using examples in Europe and China. Topic SFS-50-2017 will explore agricultural soil carbon sequestration in different pedo-climatic conditions. Eligibility for funding in most topics extends to EU countries, Horizon 2020 associated countries, and over 100 mainly developing countries. The application deadline is 14 February 2017. Link
West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use — Small Research Grants on Climate Change in West Africa
WASCAL supports research to address the severe challenges posed by climate change in West Africa. WASCAL currently calls for proposals in “Building Local Capacity for Policy-Oriented Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in West Africa (BLOC).” BLOC will make small research grants of between €5 thousand to €10 thousand. To be eligible for consideration, research proposals must focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation in West Africa in any of the thematic areas of biodiversity, agriculture, adapted land use, climate systems, education, health, human security, economics, and energy. Priority is given to research teams led by young researchers pursuing a career in government ministries, research, and/or teaching at a public institution in West Africa. Team work and cross-country research proposals are encouraged. The application deadline is 31 October 2016. Link
World Bank — Big Data Innovation Challenge
The World Bank is interested in how “big data” can be used to address development questions, including how climate change affects food security and forestry and watersheds. Solutions may include but are not limited to analytical methodologies, APIs, algorithms, software applications, tools, and new data set generation. Technologies may include artificial intelligence, crowd-sourcing applications, data science, dynamic visualizations, machine learning, and predictive analytics. The Challenge will award US$10 thousand to the winner in each of the following two categories: (i) food security or nutrition, and (ii) forestry or watersheds. Submissions are invited from individuals, students, entrepreneurs, start-ups, university labs, private companies, nonprofits, and public sector agencies legally established in member countries of the World Bank Group. The closing date for submissions is 09 November 2016. Link
Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa — Grants for Conservation and Sustainable Development 2017
The Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa (MCFEA) makes grants for environmental conservation, environmental education and research, and the relief of poverty. A special priority is projects that combine conservation with the economic and social development of local communities. Grants are to organizations for one year. The application deadline is 31 March 2017. Link
World Health Organization — Research on Disease and Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region
WHO invites proposals to undertake trans-disciplinary research on health and environment that could lead to community strategies for preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitos, flies, snails, etc. Proposals are invited from eligible countries in WHO’s South East Asia and Western Pacific regions. The aim is to explore ecosystem-based tools and approaches to address the challenge of vector-borne diseases, especially in areas with inadequate health infrastructure and changing environmental conditions (climate change). The program will fund two projects for two years, with a maximum annual budget of $120 thousand per project. The deadline for proposals is 15 October 2016. Link
Conservation Agriculture Network in South-East Asia — Grants for Conservation Agriculture
The CANSEA scientific platform is a network of research partners keen to implement agro-ecology and conservation agriculture in Southeast Asia. CANSEA announces its second call for proposals to promote and strengthen conservation agriculture in the four CANSEA member countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Grants are up to US$30 thousand. CANSEA actively encourages co-funding. All recognized institutions in the CANSEA member countries are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting applications is 22 October 2016. Link
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Conservation of Rhinos and Tigers 2017
As part of its program “Wildlife Without Borders,” the USFWS makes grants for the conservation of selected wildlife species, including rhinos and tigers. Grants are for applied research, training, conservation management, community outreach, law enforcement, decreased human-wildlife conflicts, and other activities in conservation. Eligibility extends worldwide to qualified and relevant government agencies, other organizations, multi-national secretariats, and individuals. The program intends to make about 60 grants, ranging from US$50 thousand to US$100 thousand. The application deadline is 02 December 2016. Link
Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves — Gender-Based Violence Related to Choice of Cooking Fuel
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves will allocate up to US$200 thousand to support one study over a 12-month period on the role of fuel choice as a factor in gender-based violence in humanitarian settings. Are women and girls abused when they search for fuelwood? Preference will be given to proposals seeking to conduct research in Rwandan refugee camps. Applicants must be partners of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. The application deadline is 21 October 2016. Link
Royal Agricultural College — Land and Food Fellowships for Africans 2017
The UK’s Royal Agricultural College (RAC) offers fellowships to African students enrolled in its masters programs in subjects of rural development, sustainable agriculture and food security, business management, and international food and agri-business. The RAC seeks applicants who have experience in agriculture and related subjects; an interest in land reform; and a desire to make a strategic and sustainable contribution to Africa’s development. The program supports up to 10 African fellows each year. The next application period is 01 January 2017 through 15 January 2017. Link