Techstars provides funding and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs. Techstars Impact Accelerator is for for-profit founders building tech to solve social & environmental problems. Programs include Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator focusing on the tech/digital side of food and agriculture, and Techstars Sustainability Accelerator for entrepreneurs with commercially viable technologies that can rapidly scale to help sustainably provide food and water and address global issues like climate change, among many others. Applications open six times a year, and stay open typically for 12 weeks (please check application deadlines carefully). Explore
training/education
Pan African Women Empowerment Network — Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program
The Pan African Women Empowerment Network (PAWEN) invites applications for the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program. The program consists of training and networking opportunities for African women entrepreneurs with the aim to give practical knowledge and guidance on how to move from idea to long-term sustainable business startup. 50 participants will have an opportunity to pitch for start-off grants and other funding. African women who are career professionals or students and who want to become self-sustainable entrepreneurs may apply to this program. The application deadline is 12 February 2021. Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program
United States Government — African Civic Engagement Academy
The African Civic Engagement Academy (ACEA) is a free online training program offered in English, French, and Portuguese to mid-career NGO and public sector leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants will develop professional skills, acquire tools to improve community/government engagement and receive a certificate from the University of Georgia (USA) upon completion. Applicants must be between the ages of 30 and 45 and serve in a leadership role with a civil society organization (including NGOs and non-profit community organizations) or a government unit. All applications must be submitted by 15 February 2021. Link to ACEA
SEED — Low Carbon Award 2021
SEED supports small-scale eco-enterprises in the developing world which integrate social and environmental benefits into their business models. Applicants should be able to explain how the enterprise will be financially viable in the long term and be in the set-up phase and in the early stages of implementation. The eligible countries are Indonesia, India, Ghana, Thailand, Uganda, and South Africa. Each award recipient is granted capacity building and networking opportunities. The call for applications is open until 22 March 2021. More
SEED — Climate Adaptation Award 2021
SEED supports small-scale eco-enterprises in the developing world which integrate social and environmental benefits into their business models. Applicants should be able to explain how the enterprise will be financially viable in the long term and be in the set-up phase and in the early stages of implementation. The eligible countries are Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana. Each award recipient is granted capacity building and networking opportunities. The call for applications is open until 22 March 2021. More
Wellcome Trust — International Training Fellowships
The Wellcome Trust offers nationals of low- and middle-income countries the opportunity to receive training at postgraduate or postdoctoral level. The Trust considers research proposals with focus on a health priority in a low- or middle-income country, which includes exploring the harmful effects of climate change on health. The funding is between £150 thousand and £300 thousand for salary, fees and research expenses. Eligibility extends to early-career researchers with a PhD and clinically qualified doctors with some research experience. Applications must be submitted by 07 April 2021. Click here
Caribbean Policy Development Centre — Capacity Building Grants for Small Farmers
The Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) aims to enhance the ability of rural farmers to adapt to disaster risks especially those risks influenced by climate change. The CPDC invited the submission of proposals to provide assistance to NGOs to support small scale farmers to provide equipment, services, agrotechnology and training for the adoption of disaster mitigation and sustainable agricultural practices. The funding amount per project is US$8 thousand to 12 thousand. In order to be eligible for a grant, the applicant must be non-profit-making and be established in Dominica, Grenada, or St Vincent and the Grenadines. The application deadline is 14 February 2021. Click here for details
Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education — Nuffic Scholarships for Short Courses
Nuffic, a Dutch non-profit organization for internationalization in education, offers scholarships for training courses in The Netherlands. Subject areas include climate adaptation, water governance, and many others. The Nuffic Scholarships at The Hague Academy (OKP, MSP and StuNed) will cover the tuition fee, flights, insurance, accommodation and a small daily allowance. Potentially interested individuals review the courses and dates offered by the participating Dutch higher education institutions, and information about how to apply. The next deadlines to apply for Nuffic scholarships is 11 March 2021. Click here
Cargill — Cargill Global Scholars Program 2021
The agribusiness company Cargill offers scholarships to university students interested in food security, agriculture, and risk management. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, or the USA — and attend university in those countries. Each Cargill Global Scholar receives an annual scholarship for up to two years, as well as opportunities for leadership training and networking. The application deadlines are 04 March 2021 for India; 04 March 2021 for applicants in the USA; 31 March 2021 for Russia; 27 April 2021 for China; 26 May 2021 for Brazil; and 04 June 2021 for Indonesia. About the Global Scholars Program
Verra — Tools for Nature-based Carbon Credits
Verra and partners launch the Sustaintech Xcelerator program, a six-month global virtual accelerator focused on developing tools that will improve the monitoring and verification of environmental nature-based solutions. Start-ups, established companies, and academics using emerging technologies to help streamline nature-based carbon credit monitoring are invited to apply. Each selected applicant will receive a grant of S$50 thousand. The application deadline is 15 January 2021. Sustaintech Xcelerator