Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

AR4D Funding Opportunities - January 2020


A G R I C U L T U R AL
Research


Mohammed bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity has launched the “Sustainable and Healthy Food for All – How can urban populations increase access to healthy and sustainable foods, despite rapid urbanization?” Challenge with an aim to find and support innovative solutions that will promote urban access to healthy and sustainable food for all. Deadline: 31 January 2020.

Call of Expression of interest, Recruitment of a firm for the training of Chad’s Agricultural Research and Development Actors in the establishment and facilitation of innovation platforms. The Government of Chad and CORAF have signed an agreement for the implementation of the Climate Resilience and Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Project (ProPAD) in Chad. The agreement aims to facilitate the implementation of ProPAD and the integration of Chad into the network of National Centers of Specialization (NCoS) and the regional cooperation established within the framework of the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP). Among the support needs expressed by the Government of Chad are: (i) the development of a new extension strategy which takes into account the family farm as a whole and which also incorporates technical issues; (ii) the capacity building of ANADER agents; and (iii) the development of tools to strengthen the link between Research, Extension and Production to improve the promotion and adoption of agricultural technologies and innovations. Closing Date: February 4, 2020.

The FAMAE is seeking applications for the Food for Good Challenge to develop an innovative and concrete solution from field to fork to deliver fair, sustainable & healthy food, for everybody, everywhere. The goal of the FAMAE endowment fund is to seek pragmatic, efficient, durable, universal and money-saving solutions to make life easier for urban citizens while reducing their environmental footprint. As a consequence, FAMAE endowment fund has set up a collaborative Competition to enable brilliant and innovative inventors to make their ideas come true or to effectively launch their product. Deadline: 14 February 2020.

The MEPI Local Grants Program seeks proposals that support inclusive economic growth in the Western Sahara by improving local economic opportunities. Proposals should develop and implementing locally-designed solutions to environmental, economic, or social problems or promote inclusive economic growth that reaches marginalized communities. (Note: This may include one or more categories of the Terra Viva Grant Directory.) Budgets should fall between US$50 thousand and US$500 thousand. Eligibility extends to US and foreign organizations and universities based in based in based in the Middle East and North Africa region (except Egypt, West Bank, Gaza, United Arab Emirates, and Oman). Project proposals have to be submitted by 25 February 2020.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) invites applications for the ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents to pursue Masters and PhD studies in China. Eligible fields of study include agricultural sciences, various fields of biology, and other areas of the natural sciences and engineering. The program will award scholarships to non-Chinese applicants worldwide. The maximum age of applicants is 30 (master) and 35 (PhD). Applicants are required to provide proof of proficiency of English or Chinese language. The application deadline is 31 March 2020.

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is inviting applicants for support of commodity development activities in its member countries. The CFC provides a range of financial and technical instruments in support or business activities contributing to commodity sector development in Developing Countries. Examples include agriculture, commodity value addition and trade, minerals and metals. Besides generating a viable financial return, eligible activities should also deliver a measurable social and environmental impact. Deadline: 15 April 2020


Agribusiness



The World Bank Group invites applications for the “Sustainable Development Goals and Her Competition.” SDGs & Her is an online competition for women micro-entrepreneurs to showcase how they are supporting the SDGs through their business operations. Winners will receive leadership training, mentoring and will be flown to Washington DC, for an event at the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings (April 2020). The competition is open to women who own micro and small enterprises. The deadline for the competition is 10 January 2020.


VALUE4HERConnect is Africa’s first agribusiness intelligence platform aimed at facilitating growth and development of women-owned agribusiness enterprises. The platform calls for registrations of women agri-businesses who wish to do business and trade in African and global agricultural markets. The aim is to create a network of women in agribusiness, increase information flow within women agribusiness networks and with their markets, supply chains and other service providers, including investment and financing partners. The registration is for free. The deadline for registration is 31 January 2020. 

Tinker’s program of Institutional Grants supports the theme of sustainable resource management (among others) in Latin America. Particular issues of interest include sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry and non-timber forest products, sustainable tourism, fisheries management, and payment for environmental services. Tinker is also very interested in issues of water scarcity and quality for communities. Past grants range from US$200 thousand to US$600 thousand. The Foundation encourages project collaboration among organizations in the USA and Latin America. Tinker invites brief letters of inquiry to the Foundation before proposals are prepared and submitted. The application deadlines for LOIs are 31 January and 31 July of each year.

Innovate4Climate seeks innovators, startups and entrepreneurs who develop climate-smart solutions with potential for transformative impact in reducing emissions and/or increasing resilience to climate change. Solutions can be goods, services (e.g. financial instruments, risk management mechanisms), technological solutions, or innovative business models. The competition aims to support climate-smart cities with innovations for energy, food/agriculture, waste/water, and two additional categories.The call for solutions will close on 01 March 2020.

Techstars provides funding and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs. Techstars Impact Accelerator is for for-profit founders building tech to solve social & environmental problems. Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator is for entrepreneurs focusing on the tech/digital side of food and agriculture. The Techstars Sustainability Accelerator, in Partnership with The Nature Conservancy, is for entrepreneurs with commercially viable technologies that can rapidly scale to help sustainably provide food and water and address global issues like climate change. Each selected project team receives up to $100 thousand startup investment. Application deadline is 05 April or 10 May 2020 for most programs. (please check application deadlines carefully).

Bio-diversity, Environment, Climate change


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.

The Gadfly Project provides advanced software to entities committed to promoting peace, environmental sustainability, economic development, and quality-of-life advancements worldwide. The Custom Web and Mobile Application Development (CWMAD) program makes in-kind grants to non-profit organizations needing software to improve their operations and outreach. The Budget Booster Program offers the company’s services for half the stated price (50% discount). The Gadfly Project publishes submission guidelines for each of CWMAD and Budget Booster. Requests for support can be submitted at any time.

The European Commission seeks ambitious approaches and strategies towards a fossil-energy-free agriculture (Scope A). In addition, proposals that test cost-effective technical solutions for reducing the dependence on fossil energy sources in agriculture are invited (Scope B). The Commission will consider proposals requesting a contribution of €2 million for Scope A and €5 million for Scope B projects. The deadline for submission is 22 January 2020. 

Sight and Life invites ideas from students, young professionals and entrepreneurs to provide a planet-friendly disruptive solution to combat malnutrition. Nutritional, climate-friendly and environmental-friendly innovative solutions from a diverse category of products, technologies and services are welcome. An Elevator Pitch Contest will be held at the Micronutrient Forum Global Conference (March 2020). Seven selected finalists will win a round trip and accommodation to Bangkok to present their idea. The winner will receive a cash award of US$5 thousand. Online applications have to be submitted by 31 January 2020.

Fondation Ensemble supports field projects in sustainable development and conservation. The Foundation’s focus areas are sustainable agriculture, sustainable fishing, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable technologies. The eligible countries for sustainable sector projects are Ecuador, Peru, Mozambique, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar. Grants are a maximum of €50 thousand per year for two to four years. In addition, Fondation Ensemble offers a small project grant for threatened animal species (IUCN classification). This call is open worldwide and funding requested should not exceed €8 thousand. The deadline for concept notes (English, French) is 01 February 2020.

The Agropolis Foundation seeks to promote the agro-ecological transition by promoting practices and solutions which conserve natural renewable resources. Therefore, the Foundation invites research and project proposals along three transversal axes: Agriculture and climate change: adaptation and mitigation (Axis 1); Conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity (Axis 2); Responsible production and consumption (Axis 3). The call will finance two types of projects. Type 1 projects may request between €150 thousand and €250 thousand, Type 2 projects may request between €20 thousand and €25 thousand. The lead proponent should be from one of the research units belonging to the Foundation’s scientific network. The application deadline is 03 March 2020. 

The National Geographic Society seeks projects that will document underrepresented communities that have traditionally been given less consideration in stories of the environmental movement. Proposals may focus on all aspects of local and traditional communities, e.g., land use issues; indigenous heroes; impacts of environmental degradation; climate-related migration, etc. Applicants must have strong track records as storytellers (journalists, photographers, videographers, cartographers). Applicants may request up to US$80 thousand. The deadline is 22 April 2020.

The Office of Forestry and Biodiversity in USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment seeks transformational solutions to cross-sectoral development challenges in biodiverse landscapes. Sectors that may comprise HEARTH concepts are: biodiversity conservation, health, food security (agriculture and nutrition), governance, economic development and livelihoods, water supply and sanitation, education, modern energy solutions, forest management and restoration, and climate resilience. Eligible priority countries include Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and South America Regional; Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Central Africa Regional; Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam and the Regional Development Mission for Asia. Awards range between US$1 million and US$10 million. The deadline for applications is 15 June 2020.

Fellowships/scholarships/grants 

The Noel Buxton Trust makes grants up to £5 thousand per year for up to three years for projects in Africa that promote economic development, or that support the care of street children. Past recent projects in the theme of economic development include examples in livestock raising, aquaculture, and credit for women-led businesses. The Trust especially welcomes applications in support of initiatives that help build sustainable futures in the semi-arid areas of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, and South Sudan. The Trust invites applications from registered civil society organisations in Africa, and from UK-based charities — including from diaspora organisations based in the UK – for projects in the priority countries. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Each month, the Awesome Foundation makes a micro-grant of US$1,000 to an organization or project worldwide. Projects include initiatives in a wide range of areas including arts, technology, community development, and more. Anyone is eligible for a grant, including individuals, groups, and organizations. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The EU’s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan includes grants of technical assistance to benefit government institutions and private-sector organizations. Projects need to address the identified themes in FLEGT. Currently, requests can be submitted from entities in VPA countries and non-VPA countries. The VPA countries are Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Guyana, and Honduras. Grants are up to US$55 thousand. Eligibility extends to government institutions and non-profit organizations. Applications (English, French, Spanish) can be submitted at any time.

Urgent Action Fund Africa (UAF-Africa) is a rapid response fund to offer financial and technical resources at critical moments of need to African women’s organizations. Grants are made in five categories, including one category on natural resources governance & climate change. The Fund aims to respond to most urgent requests within 24 hours. Grants are up to US$12 thousand. Applications can be submitted in five languages (English, French, Swahili, Arabic, Portuguese) at any time.

The Violet Jabara Trust supports organizations working in the developing countries of the Middle East to promote sustainable economic development, as well as reproductive health and women’s welfare. The Trust’s thematic interests include environmental issues, among others. Priority countries are Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Palestine (Occupied Territories), Yemen, Egypt and North Africa. Countries further afield (such as the Gulf countries, Sudan, or Afghanistan) may be considered, but will not be given priority. Eligibility for grants extends to nonprofit groups in the USA and internationally, with preference for small local organizations. There is no deadline for submitting letters of inquiry.

The Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub awards research fellowships to African agricultural researchers for short-term projects (6 month) at the BecA-ILRI Hub in Nairobi. Research projects should be aligned with crops and livestock agricultural development priorities (identified in the announcement). Candidates should be currently engaged in agricultural research and be affiliated with a national agricultural research system in the eligible countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Under special partnership and collaboration arrangements, applicants from other African countries are considered for the fellowship. The Fund supports travel, accommodation, stipend, and research costs. The deadline is 20 January 2020.


GlobalGiving is an online platform to raise funds for grassroots projects worldwide across many sectors and themes – including in agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources. GlobalGiving announces a new Accelerator program that will offer virtual training in online fundraising and participation in a two-week crowdfunding campaign. The program is open to nonprofit organizations anywhere in the world. Organizations that successfully complete the GlobalGiving Accelerator by raising at least US$5 thousand total from a minimum 40 different donors will earn permanent membership with GlobalGiving, in addition to $30 thousand in matching funding and bonus prizes. The application deadline is 24 January 2020.


3ie offers five bursaries to support nationals from low-and-middle income countries for the EvalMENA 2020 conference, Evaluation for Sustainable Development and Change. The event will be held from 27 February to 1 March 2020 in Jordan. The event will include pre-conference workshops for emerging evaluators and sessions on new trends in evaluation, innovative methodologies and evaluation for resilience and climate change. Applications for bursaries have to be submitted by 26 January 2020.


The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program funds citizens from Sub-Saharan Africa for Master graduate studies at McGill University, Canada. The eligible fields of study under this program include Food Science & Agricultural Chemistry; Animal Science; Biotechnology; and many others. The program offers full scholarships to economically challenged students. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2020.


The Embassy of Japan in Uganda provides financial assistance to non-profit, development-oriented organizations in support of community development projects in Uganda. Any projects geared towards grassroots assistance are eligible for financing, including water and sanitation, disaster relief, and agricultural development. The grant amount per project is generally under 10 million yen (approx. US$100thousand). Potential recipients are international or local NGOs, community based organizations, educational institutions and local governments. The Embassy receives concept papers anytime throughout the year, but the selection process is conducted twice a year. The next deadline is 31 January 2020.


The United States–South Pacific Scholarship Program provides opportunities for university studies (masters and bachelors degrees) at the University of Hawai‘i in fields that are relevant to the development needs of Pacific island countries. Priority areas of study include agriculture, environmental studies, and many others. Candidates from the following countries, who meet specific selection criteria, are eligible to apply: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The application deadline is 01 February 2020.



The University of Antwerp’s Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB) offers three specializations for one-year masters programs in development studies. Topics include poverty, climate change, conflict, good governance, sustainable development, and others. The Flemish Inter-University Council (VLIR-UOS) awards scholarships to students from many countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America for studies at Belgian universities that include Antwerp’s IOB. Candidates applying for a VLIR-UOS scholarship have to submit their application by 01 February 2020.



Ghent University grants PhD scholarships to promising PhD students from developing countries who wish to carry out half of their PhD research at Ghent University in Belgium. Before applying each student needs to find a professor from Ghent University who is willing to act as their supervisor. Supported thematic areas include biology, veterinary medicine, agricultural economics, water managements, and many others (a complete list of faculties and research topics is provided). The deadline for applications is 04 February 2020. 


The European Commission provides Consolidator Grants to experienced researchers with a scientific track record. ERC Grants support projects carried out by an individual researcher who can employ researchers of any nationality as team members. Applications can be made in any field of research. Proposed research projects under this program must be conducted in a public or private research organisation located in one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. An average of €2 million is provided for up to five years. The deadline for applications is 04 February 2020.

Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) makes grants to organizations that address critical community problems through evidence-based and culturally responsible social innovations. FBB will make one grant in the amount of US$30 thousand to one organization with the goal of increasing that organization’s ability to fulfill its mission. All applicants must be non-profit organizations with 501(c)3 status but grants are often used to support international community projects. Past projects include women’s literacy in Malawi, beekeeping for sustainable livelihood in Guatemala, and mangrove management in Latin America. LOIs have to be submitted by 07 February 2020.


The Finnish Government offers scholarships of 3-9 months for Doctoral studies and research at Finnish universities or public research institutes. The Scholarship Pool program is open to young researchers from all academic fields, including agriculture and forestry, environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, and many others. Nationals from China, Cuba, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Peru, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, and some developed countries are eligible to apply. The scholarship includes a monthly allowance of € 1,500. Travel expenses are not covered by the program. The next deadline for the nomination of scholarship candidates is 15 February 2020. (Important: Applicants may contact the scholarship authorities in their home country for information on the national deadline for submitting an application.)


The Turkish Government offers scholarships to international students. The government-funded scholarship program is awarded to students that pursue full-time or short-term program at universities in Turkey. Fields of study include Agriculture, Natural and Applied Sciences, amongst many others. Applications are open from students from all around the world. Türkiye Scholarships Burslari provides financial support and university placements to its awardees. The application deadline is 20 February 2020.

In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the government of Hungary announces scholarships for MSc degrees in agriculture at participating Hungarian universities. The fields of specialization for the 2020-2021 Academic Year are Food Safety, Horticultural Engineering, and Animal Nutrition. Applicants should be residents and nationals of the developing countries listed in the announcement. The application deadline for scholarships is 28 February 2020. 


Humboldt Foundation is seeking applications from Young Climate Experts for its International Climate Protection Fellowship.

With the International Climate Protection Fellowships, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables prospective leaders in academia and industry to implement a research based proposal in the field of climate protection or climate-related resource conservation during a one-year stay in Germany.

Up to 20 International Climate Protection Fellowships are granted annually, funded under the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety’s (BMU) International Climate Initiative. The fellowships target prospective leaders from non European transition and developing countries. Deadline: 1 March 2020


Wallonie Bruxelles International (WBI) offers postdoctoral scholarships through the Excellence Scholarship Program. Focus areas include life sciences, agriculture-industry, environmental technologies, and others. Applications are open to candidates of any nationality that hold a doctor higher education diploma. The deadline for applications for long term scholarships (min. 1 year) is 01 March 2020, and for short term scholarships (1-3 months) is 01 February 2020 and 01 October 2020. 

The TEF Program fosters and supports start-up enterprises in Africa. TEF combines mentoring, training, forums, seed capital, and alumni support to individuals in Africa proposing new business ideas or early-stage companies in sectors that include agriculture, among others. Participants receive up to US$5 thousand in seed capital. The program is open to citizens and legal residents ages 18 and older in any African country. The next application deadline (English, French, Portuguese) is 01 March 2020.


Candidates who are interested in conducting postdoctoral research at the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research in Israel are invited to apply for fellowships. Research topics include desert ecology, solar energy, environmental physics, architecture and urban planning, rainfed and irrigated agriculture, hydrology, aquaculture, environmental microbiology, desalination and water treatment, and biotechnology. The current value of a the BCSC fellowship is US$25 thousand. Candidates should first select a topic of interest and identify a prospective supervisor. Applications are open worldwide. The application deadline is 02 March 2020.


Taiwan’s program of development assistance includes scholarships for university students in eligible developing countries to study in Taiwan. The program provides full scholarships for applicants from selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean region, Latin America, and certain other countries. Subject areas at Taiwan’s participating universities include tropical agriculture, aquaculture technology and management, environmental sustainable development, and others. Undergraduate students receive NT$12 thousand per month as an allowance, Masters students receive NT$15 thousand per month, and PhD students receive NT$17 thousand per month, plus travel, fees and other costs for the program. The application deadline is 15 March 2020.

The New England Biolabs Foundation makes grants to grassroots and charitable organizations to support conservation of biological diversity; ecosystem services; community food security; and marine environment. The geographical scope focuses on regions (specified on the website) in Central America; South America, and West Africa. Maximum grant size is US$10 thousand. Most grants are US$3 thousand to US$8 thousand. The deadlines for submission of LOIs are 23 March 2020 and 10 August 2020.

Future Food – A Swiss Research Initiative awards up to ten postdoc fellowships each year to further expand research and education in the area of food and nutrition sciences. The fellowship provides personal research funds for three years, enabling fellows to work on their projects in a Swiss research laboratory. Applicants must hold a doctorate (PhD). There is no restriction on nationality. The deadline for applications via the online form is 31 March 2020.

The Mahmoud S. Rabbani Fellowship is intended for Arab Students interested in pursuing their education in The Netherlands. A maximum of €15 thousand is awarded for one year. Eligible fields of study include Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, Environmental Sciences, Natural sciences and others. Arab students who have been accepted into a Masters or a PhD program in the Netherlands and Dutch students who have been accepted into a Masters or a PhD program in the Arab World are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 31 March 2020.

NextWorldNow (NWN) is committed to working with community leaders who are solving difficult social problems. This includes social problems related to water, sanitation, deforestation, smallholder productivity, and food security — among other subject areas. Grants are up to US$10 thousand. To apply, community organizations submit a short “Notification of Interest” to register their intent to submit a formal grant application. NWN will screen the initial requests and forward a full application form to selected community organizations. The deadline to submit a Notification of Interest is 31 March 2020.

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) invites applications for the One Planet Fellowship. The Fellowship seeks to build a network of African and European scientist leaders to help Africa’s smallholder farmers adapt to climate change. Applicants who are a citizen of the following Sub-sahara African countries are eligible to apply: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia. Selected candidates will participate in intensive training workshops aimed at fostering leadership skills, strengthening scientific research skills including integrating gender into their research. The call for applications closes on 31 March 2020.

India’s National Science Academy administers the JRD-Tata Fellowships to support visiting scientists from the developing world and promote South-South cooperation. The program is open to applicants from developing countries (except India) younger than age 45, and who possess doctorate or masters degrees in science or equivalent degrees in engineering/medicine. Past participants have included several in agriculture, biological sciences, and geo-sciences. The fellowship is for three months and includes transportation, maintenance allowance, accommodation, and contingencies. The application deadlines are 30 April and 31 October of each year.

The Fiat Panis Foundation makes awards for university thesis and dissertation research in themes of agriculture, ecology and natural resources, with a focus on food security in developing countries. The Hans Hartwig Ruthenberg Graduate Award is €7.5 thousand. The deadline for submissions (German, English) is 30 April 2020.

The ICGEB Research Grants support projects in agricultural biotechnology, environmental bio-remediation, and many other fields. The grants are intended to facilitate the creation of research facilities in promising institutes; to promote training of young scientists; and to develop new research programs in participating countries. The program is open to applicants who have positions at universities and research institutes in ICGEB’s member states. Grants are a maximum of €25 thousand per year for projects of up to three years. The deadline for submitting applications is 30 April 2020.


The Nestlé Foundation supports research in human nutrition in low-income and lower middle-income countries. In relation to agriculture, the Foundation will consider research on food policy, food production, and food technology if the intervention has high potential for improved nutritional status and public health. The Foundation offers training grants, pilot grants, and full project grants. Priority is for proposals submitted by researchers in developing countries, or jointly with partners in developed countries. A Letter of Intent (LOI) can be submitted at any time of the year. The deadlines for full grant applications are 10 January and 10 May 2020.

Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) makes seed grants to support income-generating projects led by women. RSWR’s current priorities are grassroots organizations selected states and districts of India; Quaker groups in Kenya and Sierra Leone. Projects include many in the production and sale of fruits and vegetables; meat and milk; grain crops; fish; fuelwood; and other enterprises associated with small-scale agriculture and rural livelihoods. RSWR provides micro-credits of up to US$5,500 for one year projects. The next application deadline is 30 June 2020.

The Regional Studies Association (RSA) covers issues in the fields of climate change, energy, migration, and economic development. RSA makes grants to researchers interested in establishing networks for research collaboration. The maximum funding is £10 thousand for newly established networks; and £7,500 for renewing networks. A research network must be organised and managed by active RSA members. Networks are typically made up of individuals from different countries, without any geographical limitation. The application deadline is 20 September 2020.


The MAN Impact Accelerator seeks social entrepreneurs from Europe, South Africa, and Brazil to tackle social and environmental challenges through innovative solutions in the transport and logistics industry. Social businesses and startups in the key areas agriculture, data analytics (including environmental data), sensors, among others, are invited to apply. The program provides indirect grants and support of up to US$50 thousand (no equity or cash) for each startup. This also includes free access to coaches and mentors as well as to software and data perks. The application deadline is 01 October 2020.


AWARDS and O T H E R

The Thought for Food Foundation invites young teams of changemakers from all parts of the world to create locally-relevant solutions that address a wide range of pressing challenges across all parts of the food value chain. Finalist teams will be selected to take part in the TFF Academy and TFF Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (21-26 March 2020). The Grand Prize winner will receive US$10 thousand to use for the purpose of their project. The Runner Up will receive US$7.5 thousand. This year, TFF counts on challenge partners to encourage topical solution development (note: partners offer additional awards and cash prizes). The challenge is open to participants between between the ages of 18 and 40 at time of entry. Participants must join in teams of 2-5 people. Pitch ideas have to be submitted by 24 January 2020.

The Rockefeller Foundation invites organizations across the globe to develop and submit their vision of a regenerative and nourishing food system. Project ideas must tackle global problems, including overpopulation, climate change, or soil, air and water pollution. Selected visionaries will receive US$200 thousand in project funding to help implement their ideas and participate in an accelerator during which they will have access to media and storytelling training. Submissions must be received by 31 January 2020.

The Arrell Food Institute seeks nominations for the 2020 Arrell Global Food Innovation Awards. The Award recognizes global excellence in food innovation and community impact through research and food security. Individuals or teams of any country are eligible for nomination. Two winners will receive C$100 thousand each, plus up to C$25 thousand for travel and accommodation to participate in the Arrell Food Summit 2020. Nominations are accepted until 28 February 2020.

Ideas for Action is a knowledge platform of the World Bank Group and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the Wharton School. The annual Ideas for Action competition seeks innovative ideas and actionable projects to support the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Past winners include water solutions for better fish farm yields, women-led business models to improve sustainable access to energy, web based solutions for agriculture processes, and many more. Teams must consist of two to six members and may be formed across different schools, institutions, companies, or countries. Students and young professionals between the ages of 18-35 years from around the world are invited to participate. The winners of the competition present their ideas at the annual meeting of the World Bank Group, receive support from a project incubator and coaching. The deadline for submissions is 29 February 2020.

The Right Livelihood Awards are annually made to individuals and organizations offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. The Award is sometimes referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” Past laureates include several whose work in issues of environment and natural resources advances social justice and grassroots development in the developing world. Normally, the Foundation makes three cash awards and one honorary award each year. Nominations are invited from anyone worldwide (excluding self-nominations, close relatives, and Foundation staff and jury). The deadline for proposals is 01 March of each year.

The TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize gives international recognition to individual scientists in the developing world for their outstanding scientific achievements. The prize carries a monetary award of US$100 thousand. In 2020, the prize is for agricultural sciences. Candidates must be nationals of a developing country, and must have lived and worked in a developing country for the last 10 years. The deadline for nominations is 10 March 2020.

Each year, the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) awards nine awards of US$10 thousand each to individual scientists who have been working and living in a developing country for at least 10 years. The disciplinary fields include agricultural sciences, biology, and seven others. TWAS particularly encourages nominations of women scientists, and scientists from scientifically-lagging countries. The deadline for nominations is 16 March 2020.

The Society of Chemical Industry awards travel bursaries to young PhD students. There are various schemes available, some related to agriculture and life sciences.  Applicants will have preference if they wish to travel outside their country of residence, especially if they wish to work in a laboratory abroad. Next deadline cycle for the AJ Banks Award (Food Science), and the Messel Award (Chemical Science, including all life sciences) is 31 March 2020.

The Fiat Panis Foundation makes awards for university thesis and dissertation research in themes of agriculture and natural resources, with a focus on food security in developing countries. The Josef G. Knoll European Science Award is made to a young scientist who focuses on helping to reduce hunger and malnutrition through agricultural research. The value of the award is €30 thousand. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2020.

The World Food Prize Foundation invites nominations for the annual World Food Prize. The World Food Prize (US$250 thousand) recognizes an individual or individuals who have made outstanding achievements to enhance the world’s food production and its distribution to those most in need. The deadline for nominations is 01 May 2020.

The World Food Prize Foundation invites nominations for the Borlaug Field Award. The Award (US$10 thousand) recognizes science-based achievement in international agriculture and food production by an individual under age 40 in the challenge to eliminate global hunger and poverty. The deadline for nominations is 15 June 2020.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT (AR4D) - January - December 2020


21– 24 JANUARY 2020. DAVOS, SWITZERLAND. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING


7-8 February 2020. University Giessen, Germany. Food System Symposium 2020. Theme: Sustainable Food Systems – going beyond Food Security. Justus Liebig University Giessen.

12-15 February 2020. Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Germany. BioFach 2020. BIOFACH.

19-21 February 2020. Cape Town, South Africa. The 11th annual Argus Africa Fertilizer conference 

24-26 February 2020. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 3RD FOODAGRO ETHIOPIA 2020. Theme: Food, Agricultural products and equipment. EXPOGROUP.

02-03 March 2020. Valencia, Spain. WORLD AGRICULTURE SUMMIT. Theme: Current Trends and Novel Approaches in the Field of Agriculture. GAVIN CONFERENCES AND PUBLISHERS.


11-12 March 2020. Zurich, Switzerland. 4TH GLOBAL SUMMIT ON FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION. Theme: Foreground for Advanced Food science, Nutrition and Diet. PULSUS GROUP.


16-20 March 2020. Marrakech, Morocco. 5th African Regional Conference of the ICID.  
Theme: ICARDA is organizing a technical tour to solar drip irrigation project site 

21-23 March 2020. Bangkok, Thailand. Global Summit on Food Fortification. GAIN Micronutrient Forum Harvest Plus.

23-25 March 2020. Valencia, Spain. 5TH EDITION OF GLOBAL CONGRESS ON PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. Theme: A drive to thrive plant sciences. MAGNUS GROUP.

23-27 March 2020. Bangkok, Thailand. Micronutrient Forum 5th Global Conference 2020

08-09 June 2020. Frankfurt, Germany. 6TH EDITION OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PLANT GENOMICS. Glimpses. EUROSCICON LLC LTD.

15-18 June 2020. Rotterdam, Netherlands. IFAMA 2020. Theme: Food for the Future. IFAMA.

17-19 June 2020. Cape Town, South Africa. AGRITECH AFRICA. Theme: the international agricultural technology conference and exhibition Agritech by Kenes exhibitions now in south Africa. Kenes Exhibitions.

25-26 June 2020. Toronto, Canada. GLOBAL CONGRESS ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY. ‘Innovative Approach and Novel Technologies in Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases. SCIENTIFIC FEDERATION.

25-27 June 2020. Rome, Italy. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO ON METABOLOMICS AND SYSTEMS BIOLOGY. A diligent approach to enrich the knowledge on Metabolomics and Systems Biology. MAGNUS GROUP.

29-30 June 2020. ISS, Netherlands. Development Dialogue 2020. Theme: Engaged Scholarship for Development: Building Solidarity, Peace and Social Justice. ISS.

30-31 July 2020. Berlin, Germany. OCEANOGRAPHY CONFERENCES. Theme: Marine Science for a Blue Economy. GAVIN CONFERENCES.

10-11 August 2020. Atlanta-Georgia, United States of America. 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO ON AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. Theme: Accelerate scientific discoveries and major milestones in the current situation relating to Agriculture Sciences! SCIENTIFIC FEDERATION.

20-21 August 2020. 
Venice, Italy. BIOMATERIALS-2020.
Theme: Explore the New Innovations & Research on Biotechnology and Biomaterials. SCIENTIFIC FEDERATION.

09-10 September 2020. Rome, Italy. 8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. International Conference on Sustainable Development is organized by the European Center of Sustainable Development in collaboration with CIT University. EUROPEAN CENTER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, CIT UNIVERSITY.

10-12 September 2020. Paris, France. 6TH EDITION OF GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON PLANT SCIENCE AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. Theme: A deep focus on Plant Sciences and its modern techniquesMAGNUS GROUP.

23-25 September 2020. Paris, France. 3RD EDITION OF EURO-GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Theme: Foreground for Advanced Researches in Food Science and Technology. MAGNUS GROUP.

06-08 October 2020. Medan, Indonesia. PALMEX INDONESIA 2020. Theme: The only specialized Palm Oil event in Asia! PT. FIREWORKS INDONESIA.

14-15 October 2020. Rome, Italy. WORLD PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE CONGRESS. Theme: Safeguarding the International Crop Population and Environmental Concerns. CONFERENCE SERIES LLC LTD.
21-22 October 2020. Surabaya, Indonesia. SUGARTECH AGRI EXPO INDONESIA 2020.  PT. FIREWORKS INDONESIA.


17-18 December 2020. Tokyo, Japan. Nutrition for Growth Summit. Theme: To set the world on a pathway towards achieving the SDG targets. Government of Japan.