The UK Department for International Development (DFID) funds the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time study at a UK university. Scholarships are awarded annually across all subjects, with priority for applications that demonstrate strong relevance to development. The program does not accept direct applications for these scholarships, instead all applications must be made through nominating bodies (named in the announcement). Candidates must apply to one of the nominating bodies by 15 October 2024. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
South Asia
HawkWatch International — Global Raptor Research & Conservation Grant
The Global Raptor Research & Conservation Grant invests in projects led by citizens of developing countries with the aim of increasing diversity and inclusivity in conservation while building local capacity. Projects must be located in high-priority countries for raptor research and conservation (mainly Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, or Southeast Asia), focus on a single species of raptor, and be led by an applicant who is associated with a registered NGO and/or university in the country where the project will take place. Preference will be given to projects working in low-income countries. Applicants may apply for up to US$2,500. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. More information
Eco-Business and Temasek Foundation — Liveability Challenge
In 2025, the Liveability Challenge (TLC) seeks disruptive innovations that can decarbonize energy generation and industries; or establish a circular urban agriculture/aquaculture system. Finalists will get an opportunity to pitch their solutions to a team of investors and have the chance to win up to S$2 million in grant funding for project development. The competition is open to Singapore-based and international participants who have a pilot project in Southeast Asia. The application deadline is 16 February 2025. The Liveability Challenge
Earth Journalism Network — Infrastructure Reporting in Southeast Asia
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) accepts applications for a Journalist Fellowship that supports Infrastructure Reporting in Southeast Asia to equip early- to mid-career journalists with training, mentoring, and story grants to report on infrastructural development and its impacts on the environment and human rights. EJN expects to award 16 story grants with an average budget of US$2,000 each. Participants can be from Malaysia, Brunei, Timor Leste, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The application deadline is 30 September 2024. Journalist Fellowship Southeast Asia
Commonwealth Secretariat — Commonwealth Youth Awards 2024
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work recognize individuals ages 15 to 29 who lead innovative development projects in themes that include agriculture, small enterprise, skills training, climate change, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction. The program selects regional winners from each of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Winners are awarded grants of up to a total of £5 thousand in total to advance their projects. The application deadline is 18 October 2024. Commonwealth Youth Awards
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Private Sector for Food Systems
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) makes grants to strengthen partnerships between the private sector and smallholder producers to stimulate investments in inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural value chains. The selected entity will participate in the co-design and implementation of the project, fostering effective collaborations between private financial institutions, governments, value chain actors, financial institutions, food system actors, and the IFAD, with the goal of advancing sustainable and inclusive rural development. The grant targets six countries in Asia (Cambodia, India, Laos, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam). The deadline to receive proposals is 19 August 2024. Link to IFAD
Commonwealth Secretariat — Youth Essay Award
The Commonwealth Secretariat launches the “Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition.” This competition invites young researchers and students aged 18-29 to explore the relationship between trade and climate change and propose how trade policy can be part of the solution to the climate crisis. The first prize is £1,000, the second and third prizes are £500 each. Applicants must be Commonwealth nationals to participate in this competition. The submission deadline is 21 August 2024. Youth Essay Award Competition
Swedish International Development Agency — Training Program: Locally Controlled Forest Restoration
The LoCoFoRest (Locally Controlled Forest Restoration) training program aims to build capacity in national, regional, and local institutions and organizations in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. The program will give participants the skills and knowledge to support local communities and entrepreneurs to make forest and landscape restoration scalable. The training consists of a web-based preparatory course, three weeks of training in Sweden, and a project in the participants’ home countries. The application should be made by the individual applicant but needs to be endorsed by an employer. International travel, accommodation, food, costs for lectures, and study tours are covered by the organizer. The application deadline is 01 September 2024. Link to LoCoFoRest
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office — Research, Science, and Innovation Leadership Fellowship
The Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship (CRISP) is aimed at mid-career professionals with very high potential in the fields of science, innovation, and business from India and Sri Lanka. Each fellowship includes program fees, living expenses for the duration of the fellowship, and return economy airfare from India or Sri Lanka to the UK. To be eligible for a Chevening CRISP Fellowship, applicants must have a postgraduate level qualification and at least seven years’ work experience prior to applying. CRISP is open for applications until 10 October 2024. Link to the program
Earth Journalism Network — Grants for Video Content Production
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) seeks to boost video content production and distribution of information to build awareness about renewable energy in all states of India. To improve public awareness about the country’s efforts to decarbonize and scale its renewable energy capacity, EJN is providing fellowships for the production of video content. EJN will provide remuneration and mentorship to each selected applicant. The budget should cover reporting and production costs amounting to a maximum of INR 2.75 lakhs for a video of around 8 minutes in length. Proposals from all states in India are eligible. The application deadline is 16 August 2024. Know more