The Global Disruptive Tech Challenge 2021 aims to identify and support disruptive technologies and innovative approaches to landscape restoration in the Aral Sea region and Central Asia. Innovators (individuals or organizations) from around the world are invited to submit disruptive technologies that can help alleviate the negative impacts on landscapes from natural and human induced factors (including unsustainable agricultural and forestry practices, water scarcity, and climate change). The best proposals will obtain awards in the form of cash and/or in-kind. The application deadline is 15 January 2021. Link
universities
Agropolis Fondation — Innovative Co-Learning for Agriculture-based Solutions
The Agropolis Fondation aims to foster new collaborations across agricultural research disciplines and/or stakeholders for co-learning (i.e., cross-learning between researchers from different disciplines, between academic and non-academic actors, or between researchers and PhD students). This call will fund the research and training needs of postdoc scientists, PhD students, young early-career scientists, and summer schools. The Agropolis Fondation intends to award two Post-doctoral Fellowships (of up to €68 thousand per project), four partial doctoral Fellowships (of up to €65 thousand per project), five young scientist research proposals (of up to €20 thousand per project), and four thematic summer or winter schools (of up to €20 thousand per project). Please note that the proposal for thematic schools has to be co-submitted by a Sub-Saharan African institution. The deadline for the submission of proposals is 20 March 2021. Link
David and Lucile Packard Foundation — Conservation and Science
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds projects for conservation and science in themes that include climate change, ocean conservation, agriculture, and others. The Foundation makes grants to charitable, educational, and scientific organizations in the USA and other countries. Most grants range from US$20 thousand to US$500 thousand. Potential applicants should consult Packard’s website for the criteria, guidelines, and restrictions of grant making. There is no calendar deadline. For Grantseekers
United States Department of Agriculture — Technical Agricultural Assistance Ukraine
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to equip Ukraine’s agricultural sector and regional and national governments with complementary tools to promote and implement science based and internationally recognized standards. USDA will provide financial assistance of up to US$150 thousand to a non-profit organization, university, for-profit organization, or an Ukraine-based organization in support of the “Empowering Ukrainian Agricultural Associations” program. The application deadline is 11 December 2020. Full information here
U.S. Agency for International Development — Kenya Empowered Youth Program
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified U.S. and International Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to implement the USAID Kenya Empowered Youth (KEY) Program. The program aims to support vulnerable youth, especially those most at-risk like adolescent girls, youth with disabilities, and youth living in extreme poverty. Proposed projects may include personal development, technical training and capacity building activities. USAID intends to provide total funding of US$15 million over a five year period. The closing date for applications is 18 December 2020. Details here
Habitat for Humanity — Increasing Resilience to Earthquakes and Typhoons
Habitat for Humanity seeks innovative and cost-effective solutions to make homes at extreme risk in the event of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes or typhoons) stronger and more resilient. This challenge is designed specifically for methods that offer solutions to low-income homeowners living in high-risk areas, for example, inexpensive ideas for adding foundations to low-income housing. Habitat for Humanity offers an award of US$25 thousand to make awarded solutions freely available to other non-profit organizations to help improve the state of low-income housing worldwide. Submissions must be received by 04 January 2021. Information
Solution Search — Water Pollution & Behavior Change Contest
Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment and partners seek existing solutions that are changing behaviors to help solve the world’s most challenging environmental problems. For this year’s contest, Solutions Search looks for promising approaches that are shifting people’s behavior toward cleaner, healthier water ecosystems. Contest entrants get access to capacity building, workshops, and networking opportunities to further refine and scale their solution. The overall winner will receive US$25 thousand, among numerous other prizes, including a US$5 thousand prize awarded to the best early entrant (for submissions prior to 30 November). Any organization or institution worldwide is eligible (e.g., city government, business, non-profit, university, etc.). Individuals are not eligible to enter. The regular submission deadline is 10 January 2021. Access Solution Search
World Vision — Sanitation Solutions
World Vision seeks affordable sanitation solutions for rural single families living in the poorest areas of the world. Applicants are invited to submit new ideas, concepts, and approaches to attack the lack of adequate toilets and latrines. The participants with the best solutions will receive financial support of up to US$15 thousand to further develop their ideas. Eligibility to the challenge is not restricted. Submissions must be received by 12 January 2021. More
Swiss National Science Foundation — Vietnamese-Swiss Joint Research Program
The Vietnamese-Swiss Joint Research Program enables researchers in Switzerland to carry out joint projects with research partners in Vietnam. The program supports ambitious research and innovative approaches in all areas of research. A maximum of CHF250 thousand per project will be available for the Swiss part for a project period of up to 3 years. Proposals have to be jointly prepared by Swiss and Vietnamese applicants. The closing date for application is 15 January 2021. Link to the call
IMMANA — Competitive Research Grants
The Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA) Competitive Research Grants support the development of innovative methods to advance the scientific understanding of the linkages between agriculture and food systems in order to improve nutrition outcomes in low and middle-income countries. IMMANA grants to conduct research projects are a maximum of £250 thousand. Researchers and institutions from both developed countries and LMICs are eligible. The deadline for submission of concept notes is 21 January 2021. IMMANA Grants