The Agence Nationale De La Recherche (ANR) announces the Challenge IA-Biodiv using artificial intelligence to develop research and knowledge about biodiversity. The challenge is intended for scientific communities in AI and biodiversity in France and partner countries in Africa. This call is open to proposals involving at least one French public research body. Three consortia will be funded with a maximum grant amount of €500 thousand per project. The application deadline is 31 August 2021. Link
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Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association — Marine Research Grants
The Marine Research Grant (MARG I) provides young and upcoming scientists with funding to turn their ideas into research projects. The MARG-I Research Grant of US$10 thousand is awarded for a duration of 1 year. Early-career scientists and resource managers involved in research in the marine sciences in the Western Indian Ocean region are eligible to apply. The deadline for submission of applications is 30 May 2021. MARG I
UK Royal Society — Newton International Fellowships 2021
The Newton International Fellowships support early-stage post-doctoral researchers from all over the world to work at UK research institutions for a period of two years. The scheme covers the broad range of the natural and social sciences and the humanities. Applicants should have a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research proposal with a UK host scientist. The announcement identifies additional criteria for applicants. Funding consists of £24 thousand per annum for subsistence costs, and up to £8 thousand per annum research expenses, as well as a one-off payment of up to £3,5 thousand for relocation expenses. The deadline for applications is 16 June 2021. Know more
European Union — Agri-based Digital Innovation in West Africa
The European Union invites proposals on innovative digital solutions that promote adoption of digital technologies for improved agricultural productivity for farmers and agro processors in West Africa. “Accelerating inclusive green growth through agri-based digital innovation in West Africa” AGriDI will provide competitive grants to enhance the capacities of key stakeholders in diverse areas of digital technologies and agro-ecological systems. Funding ranges from €150 thousand to €300 thousand per project. Eligible countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Applications from universities, research institutes, legally registered small and medium enterprises, farmer cooperatives, start-ups, community based organizations, and government ministries are welcome. The application deadline is 30 June 2021. Details here
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Biodiversity Information for Development: Sub-Saharan Africa
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) invites proposals for project funding from Sub-Saharan Africa under the “Biodiversity Information for Development” program. GBIF offers support for four types of projects: (1) Regional biodiversity data mobilization to establish or strengthen international collaborations (maximum funding: €120 thousand for projects involving three or more countries); (2) National biodiversity data mobilization to respond to national priorities (maximum funding: €40 thousand); (3) Institution-level biodiversity data mobilization to mobilize biodiversity data relevant for sustainable development (maximum funding: €20 thousand); and (4) Data-use grants that build on existing relationships to provide data solutions that respond to a specific policy need (maximum funding: €60 thousand). Applicants must be legal entities such as government agencies, natural history museums, research institutes, universities, or NGOs located in an eligible African country. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 12 May 2021. BID Africa
African Economic Research Consortium — Research on Climate Change and Economic Development
African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) invites research proposals on Climate Change and Economic Development in Africa to deepen understanding of environmental challenges and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. The case studies will focus on, but not limited to, the following themes: climate-smart agriculture, impact of climate change on green and blue economies, natural resources, energy options and technologies, etc. Total budget should not exceed US$15 thousand and total duration of the study should not exceed 12 months. Researchers who completed at least one AERC research project or participated in a research project on relevant topics are eligible to apply. Interested researchers should submit proposals before 14 May 2021. Know more
Deutsches Museum in Munich — Scholar-in-Residence Program
The Deutsches Museum in Munich offers scholarships to research scholars interested in working for 6-12 months on projects involving the museum’s collections. The museum for innovative research focuses on scientific processes and the changing cultures of technology including Natural Sciences, such as Astronomy, Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. Applicants have to base their projects on the collections of the Deutsches Museum and cooperate closely with museum staff when formulating their research proposals. The museum offers two types of scholar-in residence stipends: Pre-doctoral stipends of €7,500 (six months) or €15 thousand (full year); and Post-doctoral stipends of €15 thousand (six months) or €30 thousand (full year). There are no restrictions regarding nationality. The application deadline is 15 October 2021. Scholar-in-Residence Program
Social Science Research Council — Transregional Collaborative Research Grants
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) offers research grants to conduct fully conceptualized research projects that deepen understanding of the effects of political, economic, and social processes in contexts of profound climate and environmental change in and across Indian Ocean countries. Teams will receive up to US$50 thousand for research-related costs. Grants are open to scholars and professionals working in the social sciences, humanities, physical and natural sciences. The deadline for applications is 26 April 2021. More
Agropolis Fondation — Funding Research for Agroecological Transition
The Agropolis Foundation invites applications for research projects that promote agroecological transition and explore new practices and approaches in agricultural, forestry and other land-use activities to minimize climate change and biodiversity loss. The Foundation accepts research proposals for small initiatives (funding level of €20 thousand to €30 thousand) and fundamental research (funding level of €150 thousand to €200 thousand). The lead proponent must be from one of the research units belonging to the Foundation’s scientific network. Scientists from research units or institutions outside of the Foundation’s network can participate as partners. The closing date for applications is 15 June 2021. Agropolis Foundation
Microsoft — AI for Earth Grants
Microsoft seeks proposals from around the world that focus on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to better monitor and manage Earth’s natural systems for a more sustainable future. Funding supports the creation and deployment of open source trained models and algorithms in the focus core areas of climate change, biodiversity, agriculture, and water. The grant provides software developers with Azure compute credits worth up to US$15 thousand. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. The two remaining revision deadlines for project submission in 2021 are 05 July and 04 October 2021. Azure Compute Grants