Integrating School Meal Nutrition Standards into Legislation through a Right to Food Lens

On 30 September 2026, FAO and WFP, in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Network for Education (IPNED), organised the global online event “Nourishing Futures: Integrating school meal nutrition standards into legislation through a Right to Food lens.” 

The event brought together parliamentarians, parliamentary advisers and legislative staff to examine how school-meal nutrition guidelines and standards could be incorporated into national policy and legal frameworks. The discussion placed school meals within the broader right to adequate food, highlighting the role of legislation in ensuring that children have access to nutritious, safe and adequate food at school.

The event also explored how stronger legal and policy frameworks could help translate nutrition standards into sustainable national school-meal programmes. By bringing together perspectives from the food, nutrition, education and legislative sectors, FAO and WFP aimed to support parliamentarians and policymakers in understanding the practical links between nutrition standards, legislation and children’s rights. The session provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and consider how legal frameworks could strengthen accountability and help ensure that school food policies contribute to healthier and more equitable food systems.

Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation

On 29 September 2026, APAARI, together with ARINEENA, CACAARI, FARA and CIRDAP, hosted a webinar on “Women in Value Chains and Agri-Food Systems Transformation” as part of a 2026 webinar series organised to celebrate and recognise the International Year of Women Farmers. Held at 3:00 p.m. Bangkok time, the webinar provided a platform to highlight the contributions of women farmers and women working across agri-food value chains, while creating opportunities for regional knowledge exchange and collaboration. The discussion focused on women’s participation and leadership and examined how their engagement could contribute to more resilient, inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems.

• Dr. Joanna Kane-Potaka — Executive Secretary, GFAiR (Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation and Research). 
• Dr. Arjun Singh Saini — horticulture and agricultural development expert; formerly Director General of Horticulture, Government of Haryana.
• Ms. Lama Najib — Training and Capacity Development, FAO.
• Mr. Anil Kumar S. G. — the event announcement identifies him as a speaker, although I could not verify a current institutional title from a sufficiently reliable public source.
• Dr. Jyoti Saroop — Founder & Director, Unati Cooperative / biotechnology expert and social entrepreneur.
• Ms. Naheeda Maqbool 
• Dr. Tala Qtaishat — Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, School of Agriculture, University of Jordan.
• Dr. Munoko Karen Musikoyo-Nguru — Agribusiness Expert, FARA (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa), with responsibilities including gender and youth initiatives.

The webinar explored several dimensions of women’s involvement in agri-food value chains, including entrepreneurship, aggregation, processing and market integration. It also examined the institutional, financial and digital conditions that could enable women to participate more effectively and take on stronger leadership roles. Access to finance, appropriate institutions, digital tools, markets and networks were considered important elements in creating an enabling environment for women’s economic engagement. By bringing together organisations and stakeholders from across regions, the webinar also emphasised the value of sharing experiences and approaches that can strengthen women’s roles throughout agri-food systems. 

Overall, the session recognised women farmers not only as important producers, but also as entrepreneurs, processors, market actors and leaders contributing to the transformation of food systems.

From Grant-Ready to Finance-Ready: Bridging Africa’s Agri-SME Financing Gap

On 29 September 2026, AUDA-NEPAD, the GIZ Agribusiness Facility for Africa (ABF) and AfriCatalyst brought together stakeholders for the third session of the Expert Talk Series on Access to Finance for Agro-Industrialization in Africa. 

The session, titled “From Grant-Ready to Finance-Ready: What Stands Between Africa’s Agri-SMEs and a Financing Decision?”, focused on one of the persistent challenges facing agricultural and agro-industrial enterprises across the continent: moving from having a promising business and a grant-ready proposal to meeting the requirements for commercial finance.

The discussion focused particularly on agri-SMEs seeking financing between US$25,000 and US$1.5 million. While these enterprises can play an important role in strengthening agricultural value chains, creating jobs and driving agro-industrialisation, accessing appropriate finance can remain difficult. The session brought together perspectives from commercial banks, development finance institutions (DFIs), guarantee providers, agri-insurers, investors, investment-readiness providers and agri-SMEs to examine what happened between an enterprise submitting a financing application and a financial institution making a final decision.

From a promising business to a financeable proposition

A central theme of the discussion was that being grant-ready was not necessarily the same as being finance-ready. Grant applications and commercial financing decisions could involve different expectations around business performance, governance, financial records, risk, repayment capacity and collateral. For agri-SMEs, meeting these requirements could be particularly challenging because agricultural businesses often faced seasonal revenues, exposure to climate and market risks, and uneven cash flows.

The speakers examined some of the practical barriers that could prevent otherwise viable transactions from reaching financial close. These included incomplete or inconsistent documentation, weaknesses in governance and financial management, insufficient collateral, difficulties in assessing business and agricultural risks, and limited alignment between the cash-flow cycles of agri-SMEs and the repayment structures offered by financial institutions.

Addressing the financing gap

The conversation also highlighted that the financing challenge could not be addressed by agri-SMEs alone. Financial institutions, investors, insurers, guarantee providers and business-support organisations each had a role in making financing transactions more workable. Guarantees and risk-sharing mechanisms, for example, could help address some of the risks perceived by lenders, while investment-readiness support could help enterprises strengthen their financial information, governance and business plans.

Another important issue was the mismatch between agricultural cash flows and conventional lending timelines. Businesses operating in agriculture may need capital well before revenues are generated, while lenders may rely on repayment schedules that do not fully reflect seasonal production cycles. Understanding these differences and developing financing products that better respond to the realities of agricultural businesses therefore formed an important part of the discussion.

Making finance work for agro-industrialisation

The session demonstrated that improving access to finance was about more than increasing the amount of capital available. It was also about improving the connection between agri-SMEs seeking finance and financial institutions assessing risk. Better documentation, stronger governance, credible financial information, appropriate risk-sharing instruments and financing structures adapted to agricultural cash flows could all contribute to closing this gap.

For Africa’s agro-industrialisation agenda, strengthening this connection is particularly important. Agri-SMEs are part of the wider network linking farmers to markets, processors, input suppliers and consumers. Helping viable enterprises become genuinely finance-ready can therefore contribute to stronger agricultural value chains and create opportunities for investment and growth.

The 29 September Expert Talk provided a practical space for different actors in the financing ecosystem to examine what stands between an agri-SME and a financing decision. By bringing the perspectives of enterprises and finance providers together, the discussion helped shift the conversation from simply asking whether finance is available to examining what needs to change for financing transactions to actually close.

From Chemistry to Commerce: Building Trust in Africa’s Food Systems

25 September 2026. Food scientists, researchers, industry professionals and other stakeholders came together online for the session From Chemistry to Commerce – Ensuring Authenticity and Building Trust in Africa’s Food Systems.

The session explored the important connection between scientific knowledge and commercial practice, with a particular focus on food authenticity, quality and consumer trust. The discussion highlighted the role that scientific approaches can play in addressing some of the challenges facing Africa’s rapidly evolving food systems.

The session featured Prof. Dr. Salvatore Parisi, President-elect of the AOAC Europe Section of AOAC International and an internationally recognised expert in food chemistry, authenticity and quality. 

He explored how chemistry could move beyond the laboratory to support real-world commercial activities and contribute to more reliable and trustworthy food systems. By connecting analytical science with market needs, the session underscored the importance of credible methods for verifying food authenticity and quality. Such approaches can help strengthen confidence among producers, businesses, regulators and consumers, while supporting fairer and more transparent food markets across Africa.

The discussion also demonstrated that building trust in food systems required collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Scientific expertise, commercial knowledge, regulatory frameworks and practical experience all had a role to play in ensuring that food products met expected standards and that claims about their authenticity could be supported by evidence.

Ultimately, the session offered a valuable perspective on the journey from chemistry to commerce. It showed how advances in food science and analytical approaches could contribute not only to detecting problems, but also to creating the evidence and confidence needed for stronger food value chains. For Africa’s food systems, where opportunities for expanding markets and value addition continue to grow, ensuring authenticity and building trust remained important foundations for sustainable and inclusive food-sector development.

Slow Food Week 2026

24 - 27 September 2026. Turin. Slow Food week. 

At the heart of the four-day programme was Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026, the sixteenth edition of Slow Food’s international gathering, organised by Slow Food together with the Piedmont Region and the City of Turin. Events took place across some of Turin’s iconic central locations, bringing together food producers, farmers, fishers, cooks, researchers, activists, Indigenous communities, educators and policymakers.

This year’s theme, Biodiversity – Be Diversity, placed biodiversity at the centre of conversations about the future of food. The programme explored the connections between biodiversity, climate resilience, food justice, culture, education and peace. Rather than treating food simply as a commodity, the discussions highlighted food as something deeply connected to communities, landscapes, knowledge and livelihoods. More than 1,500 people from 125 countries were involved in the opening of the 2026 edition, illustrating the international character of the gathering. 

Food as a meeting place

One of the distinctive features of Terra Madre is the opportunity to bring different kinds of knowledge together. Farmers and food producers meet researchers; cooks engage with communities; activists and educators exchange experiences with policymakers. Across conferences, debates, educational activities and encounters, the programme created space for conversations about how food systems can respond to some of the major challenges facing societies today.

The 2026 programme included discussions on **food justice and the distribution of power within food systems**, the role of food education, the protection of marine biodiversity and the relationship between land, agriculture and peace. 

Speakers included:

• Slow Food President Edward Mukiibi 
• chef and food activist Alice Waters 
• researcher and author Raj Patel
• ecological thinker Satish Kumar
• philosopher and journalist Julian Baggini
• journalist Eric Schlosser
• marine biologist Helen Scales
• United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food **Sofía Monsalve Suárez**, among others. 

Biodiversity beyond the field

A central message of the event was that biodiversity is not only about protecting plant and animal species. It is also about maintaining diverse agricultural practices, food cultures, local knowledge and ways of producing and sharing food. Slow Food’s work around the Presidia, Ark of Taste, Slow Food Farms and Cooks’ Alliance reflects this broader understanding of food biodiversity. 

The theme also invited participants to think about diversity in a wider social sense. In the Slow Food programme, biodiversity was presented as a source of resilience and as an alternative to different forms of monoculture—not only in agriculture, but also in social and cultural life. This perspective connected questions about seeds, soils and ecosystems with questions about communities, cultural heritage and inclusion. 

A global Slow Food community in Turin

Alongside Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, Turin hosted the Slow Food Participants’ Assembly bringing together around 800 voting delegates from more than 120 countries. Held every four years, the Assembly provides a space for the global Slow Food network to discuss the movement’s strategic and organisational direction. The 2026 gathering was particularly significant because it was the first Participants’ Assembly under the legal framework of the Slow Food Foundation.

For four days, Turin therefore served not simply as a destination for tasting and celebrating food, but as a place for dialogue about the systems behind it. The encounters in September 2026 demonstrated the breadth of the Slow Food movement: from small-scale producers and Indigenous communities to chefs, researchers, educators and civil-society organisations. Together, they brought different experiences and perspectives into conversations about how food can contribute to healthier ecosystems, stronger communities and more resilient livelihoods.

Looking beyond Turin

The importance of events such as Terra Madre lies not only in what happens during four days in one city. The ideas, relationships and experiences shared in Turin can travel back with participants to farms, universities, kitchens, communities and organisations around the world.

For anyone working on sustainable agriculture, food systems, biodiversity, rural development, food education or inclusive innovation, the Turin gathering offered an important reminder: transforming food systems requires more than technological solutions. It also requires collaboration, recognition of local knowledge, protection of biodiversity and meaningful participation by the people who produce, prepare and consume food.

Turin’s Slow Food week thus offered a space to celebrate food while asking larger questions about its future—and about the kind of food systems that can support both people and the planet.

Higher Education as a Catalyst for Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Engagement Mechanisms for Inclusive Innovation

23 September 2026. Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP): Higher Education as a Catalyst for Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Engagement Mechanisms for Inclusive Innovation

This webinar focused on the role of higher-education institutions in strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). It explored how universities and other higher-education institutions can contribute not only through research and teaching, but also through extension and engagement with different stakeholders to support the development, adoption and scaling of agricultural technologies and innovations. A particular focus was placed on aligning higher-education curricula, research and extension activities with stakeholder needs and on creating mechanisms for more inclusive, collaborative innovation.

AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : October 2026

Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

International Fund for Agricultural Development

Food Systems Transformation in the Central Sahel

2026-10-16

The International Fund for Agricultural Development invites eligible organizations, government agencies, private sector entities, research institutions, or consortia to submit proposals for "Support for Food Systems Transformation in the Central Sahel," a US$2 million grant supporting innovative, scalable interventions in the livestock, cassava, and rice value chains across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Proposals should demonstrate regional relevance, commercial viability, climate resilience, and inclusion of women and youth. The deadline is 16 October 2026.

Marine Stewardship Council

Science and Research Fund

2026-10-18

The MSC's Science and Research Fund supports research projects addressing the barriers that MSC-certified fisheries face in maintaining certification, such as bycatch reduction, marine habitat protection, or climate change impacts. Grants reach up to £50,000 over up to two years. Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest before a full application. The deadline is 18 October 2026.

Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

Rainforest Trust

Creating New Protected Areas

2026-10-01

The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The application deadlines are 01 July and 01 October 2026. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Society for Conservation Biology

Graduate Student Research Fellowship

2026-10-15

The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) supports graduate students whose research advances the science and practice of conserving biological diversity. The Fellowship Awards will support field work, including travel, materials or equipment required to conduct research. Students must demonstrate financial need toward completion of a graduate degree to receive US$1,000 in support of their research project. The deadline to submit your materials is 15 October 2026.

Smithsonian Institution

Fellowship Program

2026-10-15

The Smithsonian Institution offers in-residence fellowships for independent research using Smithsonian collections and facilities, open to graduate students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral and senior researchers, in fields including ecology and environmental science, evolutionary biology, earth sciences, and anthropology, alongside various humanities disciplines. Stipends range from US$10,000 for a ten-week graduate fellowship to US$60,000 per year for senior and postdoctoral fellowships, plus a research allowance. There is no stated citizenship or nationality restriction. The deadline is 15 October 2026.

Pure Ocean

Pure Ocean Challenges

2026-10-19

Pure Ocean seeks projects that develop marine conservation initiatives managed by local communities and Indigenous peoples or explore nature-based solutions for the preservation of blue carbon ecosystems. This year's call is restricted exclusively to projects based in mainland France or its overseas territories — the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and French overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Applicants of any nationality are welcome, provided the project itself is located in one of these areas. Only non-profit organizations (NGOs, universities, research institutes) can apply and receive funding. Pure Ocean only supports scientific projects addressing a clearly defined research question. Selected projects will receive up to €40 thousand (€30 thousand/year), for the duration of one to two years. Applications have to be submitted by 19 October 2026.

National Geographic Society

Ocean Exploration and Discovery

2026-10-21

The National Geographic Society invites early-career scientists worldwide to apply to lead ship-based research aboard SOI's Falkor (too) research vessel, currently recruiting for its 2027-2028 season traversing the west and south coasts of Africa. The opportunity provides one berth space and access to the vessel's onboard laboratories, underwater robotics, camera systems, and high-performance computing infrastructure. In prior cycles, the Society has awarded grants of up to US$20,000 to cover travel and project-related costs for the selected research, conservation, or technology project. General National Geographic eligibility applies: applicants must be 18 or older, may lead only one active proposal at a time, and must have submitted final reports for any prior National Geographic grants before applying to lead a new one. The deadline is 21 October 2026.

Whitley Fund for Nature

Whitley Awards 2027

2026-10-30

The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) offers the Whitley Awards to outstanding biodiversity conservation leaders in developing countries around the world. The awards are both an international prize and a form of project funding, currently £50 thousand over one year. The program is open to mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in a developing country. The application deadline is 30 October 2026.

Royal Entomological Society

Insect Photography Competition

2026-10-31

The Royal Entomological Society Insect Photography competition is open to all amateur photographers. Photographs entered for the Competition should feature an insect (or group of insects) occurring naturally in the situation in which it is photographed. The subject can be of any life stage, from egg through nymph, larva, or pupa to adult, and can be an insect from anywhere in the world. Prizes range from £250 to £750. The closing date for submission of photos is 31 October 2026.

Bat Conservation International

Student Research Scholarships for Bat Conservation

2026-10-31

Bat Conservation International (BCI) requests proposals from student researchers seeking financial support for bat conservation research projects. Research may focus on human-caused environmental changes (such as land development or climate change on bats), bat-human conflicts (such as hunting, roost disturbance, and persecution), or behavioral or ecological questions that aid the protection of a bat species. The geographical scope is Latin America and the Caribbean; Africa and its adjacent islands; and globally. BCI anticipates granting up to US$3,000 each. Additional funding is available through special awards. The scholarship is only open to students who are registered with a recognized academic institution. The application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Seabird Group

Small Grants

2026-10-31

The Seabird Group supports research, survey, and conservation of seabirds. It awards small grants each year, with priority to Seabird Group members working on Atlantic seabirds. The maximum grant is usually £250 per project. Applications should be submitted by 28 February and 31 October each year.

UNESCO World Heritage Center

Requests for International Assistance

2026-10-31

Grants under the World Heritage Convention are made to help protect the World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites. Requests must be transmitted by a State Party National Commission for UNESCO or Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, or an appropriate governmental department or ministry. The limits on funding vary with the type of request (e.g., technical cooperation, training and research, promotion and education, preparatory assistance, emergency assistance). The next deadline for submitting requests is 31 October 2026.

Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund

Species Conservation Grants

2026-10-31

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund provides targeted grants to support on-the-ground conservation initiatives for the world’s most threatened species. This global program is open to individual conservationists and organizations working to protect any species of plant, animal, or fungi, with a particular focus on those classified as endangered or data deficient. While the fund primarily supports field-based projects, it does not specify a strict limit for grant amounts; however, typical awards are small grants up to US$25 thousand. Applications are reviewed in three annual cycles, with the next submission windows closing on 31 May 2026, 15 October 2026, and 31 January 2027.

Crosscutting

Common Fund for Commodities

Support for Commodity Development

2026-10-01

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) provides financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions. Funding is targeted mainly to for-profit organizations and social enterprises. Projects focused on the sustainable use and conservation of forest resources in the Congo Basin region (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo) are eligible. The maximum amount is US$ 2 million for regular projects, and up to US$ 300 thousand under the Fast-Track procedure. The 29th call for proposals has a deadline of 01 October 2026.

Explorers Club

Marine Exploration Grant

2026-10-02

The Explorers Club supports the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the world. The Stephenson Explorers Advancement Program supports college undergraduates/graduate students, and independent explorers under the age of 35 conducting exploration and field research for marine exploration and conservation projects. The average award is US$10 thousand. The deadline to submit applications is 02 October 2026.

AfricaLics

PhD Visiting Fellowship Program 2027

2026-10-02

The African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems (AfricaLics) seeks PhD students from universities in Africa to participate in the AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Program focused on Innovation and Development. The visiting fellowship program intends to increase international mobility and provide PhD students with global knowledge in the field of innovation and development (which includes a four-month study stay in South Africa). The scholarship is open to PhD students from low- and lower-middle-income countries in Africa. The deadline for the submission of applications is 02 October 2026.

Teach A Man To Fish

School Enterprise Challenge 2026

2026-10-06

The School Enterprise Challenge is an international business program for schools run by the educational charity Teach A Man To Fish. It guides and supports teachers and students to plan and set up real, sustainable school businesses and generate real profits to help support their school or a social cause of their choice. Thematic areas include agriculture, drinking water and sanitation, and the environment, among others. Prizes are between US$250 and US$5 thousand, including in-kind donations like laptops and cameras. Please note that only pre-primary schools, primary schools, secondary schools and technical/vocational colleges are eligible (universities are not eligible to apply). Business Ideas have to be submitted by 06 October 2026.

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Chevening Scholarships 2027-2028

2026-10-06

The Chevening Scholarships provide full or partial funding for full-time courses at the postgraduate level, normally a one-year master’s degree, in any subject at any UK university. Chevening Scholars come from 150 countries, excluding the USA and the EU. Applicants complete the application forms for their chosen universities. The available courses include subjects such as agriculture, conservation, climate change, and others. The current application closes on 06 October 2026.

Art Partner

Earth Art Contest

2026-10-07

The Earth Partner Prize is an international art competition that invites creatives aged 14 to 30 from all backgrounds to submit original works—across any medium including visual art, film, performance, writing, fashion, digital creations, and more—that address the ecological crisis. Each participant may submit one project. Eight finalists will receive cash prizes of US $10 thousand, $5 thousand, or $2 thousand, and an additional 20 participants will receive honorable mentions from a distinguished, global jury. Applications must be submitted by 07 October 2026.

International Center for New Media

World Summit Awards 2026

2026-10-15

Nominations are open for the World Summit Awards (WSA) and the WSA Young Innovators Awards (young social entrepreneurs under 26 years of age). Start-ups and social entrepreneurs are asked to submit their local digital innovations with high social impact. The 8 award categories include one on Environment & Green Energy (climate, sustainable resources, agriculture). The winner does not receive a monetary award but does benefit from partnerships and integrations. Applications are accepted from companies, organizations, or individuals. The deadline to apply for WSA and WSA Young Innovators is 15 October 2026. (Deadlines for national submission of applications for WSA may vary locally.)

World Summit Awards

Young Innovators Award

2026-10-15

Nominations are open for the WSA Young Innovators Awards (young social entrepreneurs under 26 years of age). The awards recognize market-ready digital solutions that create positive social or environmental impact and contribute to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Eligible applicants include startups, social entrepreneurs, companies, NGOs, student groups, project teams, and individuals. Winners receive global recognition, the opportunity to present their solutions at the WSA Global Congress, mentorship, networking opportunities, workshops, and international visibility. The deadline to apply for WSA Young Innovators is 15 October 2026.

Worldwide Universities Network

Research Development Fund 2026

2026-10-15

The WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) provides grants of up to £10 thousand for one year to foster research collaborations among academic staff (faculty) at WUN member universities. Applications are open to researchers from WUN member institutions. The RDF supports research projects that fall under the network’s principal research theme of sustainable development. The closing date is 15 October 2026. (Note: Most WUN member universities have earlier internal submission deadlines, and prospective applicants should contact their local WUN Coordinator as soon as possible.)

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship

Training for Social Entrepreneurs

2026-10-16

The Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship accepts applications for an accelerator program focused on social enterprises working on women’s economic power and/or climate resilience. The program is designed for established social entrepreneurs who directly serve people living in poverty who suffer disproportionately from climate change. Climate resilience falls into one of the following three categories: sustainable energy, availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation, and climate-smart agriculture. Non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid social enterprises that have a clear commitment to an earned revenue model with the potential for scale are all encouraged to apply. There are no geographical limitations. The application deadline is 16 October 2026.

Japan Science and Technology Agency

Research Partnership 2027

2026-10-19

The Japan Science and Technology Agency, in collaboration with the Japan International Collaboration Agency, calls for proposals for the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS). Proposals are invited in the following research fields: environment/energy; bio-resources; and disaster prevention and mitigation. The SATREPS program provides funding of approx. ¥ 100 million per project per year. Researchers external to Japan should consult their national government agency responsible for ODA technical cooperation, the Embassy of Japan, or JICA offices in their resident countries. The deadline for proposals is 19 October 2026.

International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

African Women in Biotechnology

2026-10-20

The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme supports South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline who will perform hypothesis-driven research. Proposed research projects must fall within one of the ICGEB areas of research: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, Biopesticides and Virology. The closing date for applications is 20 October 2026.

UK Department for International Development

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027

2026-10-20

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office makes Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for full-time doctoral studies to citizens from least developed countries and fragile states who could not afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. 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 20 October 2026.

UK Department for International Development

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027

2026-10-20

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 20 October 2026.

World Federation of Science Journalists

Travel Fellowship

2026-10-23

The World Federation of Science Journalists invites applications for travel fellowships to attend the World Conference of Science Journalists 2027 (London/September 2027). Fellowships cover travel, visa costs, local transport, up to six nights' accommodation, and full conference registration; no per diem is included. Eligible applicants are journalists (science journalism need not be their primary role), journalism students, or students in related fields who could not otherwise attend, with priority given to those from lower- and middle-income countries per World Bank classification, though applicants from higher-income countries aren't automatically excluded if financial need is demonstrated. The deadline is 23 October 2026.

German Academic Exchange Service

Postgraduate Courses in Germany 2027-2028

2026-10-30

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to qualified individuals from eligible developing countries for post-graduate studies at German universities in development-related subjects. The program (EPOS) is open to individuals who have completed their previous academic degrees no longer than six years previously; who have at least two years of professional experience; and who are nationals of countries receiving official development assistance (DAC list of the OECD). The available courses range across water resources; renewable energy; land management and tenure; agricultural sciences; forest sciences; ecology; nature conservation; environmental governance; and many others. The application deadline for the next intake (October 2027) is 30 October 2026.

Earth Institute

Post-Doctoral Fellowships 2027

2026-10-30

The Earth Institute at Columbia University invites applications for 2-year postdoctoral fellowships that contribute to understanding critical scientific and social issues in global sustainable development. Specific areas of research include food security, energy systems, climate change, poverty reduction, disease, and environmental degradation. The multi-disciplinary program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens who received their doctoral degrees within five years of beginning their appointments. The deadline for applications is 30 October 2026.

Green Earth Action Foundation

Fully-Funded Community Climate Leadership Program

2026-10-31

The Green Earth Action Foundation (GEAF) invites applications for its Ambassador Program 2027, a six-month, fully-funded climate leadership opportunity open to changemakers worldwide. Selected ambassadors design and lead a community-based environmental project, chosen from five thematic areas: forest and biodiversity protection, environmental education and community empowerment, waste reduction and pollution prevention, climate-smart agriculture, and marine and water protection. GEAF provides expert-led capacity building alongside one-to-one mentorship and guided project implementation support. Applicants must be at least 18, demonstrate experience in community outreach and local implementation, communicate fluently in French or English, and commit approximately five to ten hours per week for the full six months. The application deadline is 31 October 2026.

8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE)

From 22 to 25 September 2026, agricultural economists, researchers, policymakers and development partners gathered in Nairobi for the 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE). Organized by the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) in partnership with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)-Africa, the conference was held under the theme “Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Trade for a Climate-Challenged Africa.” 

The programme was substantial: around 366 research papers, 21 invited sessions, two keynote
addresses and a distinguished lecture, covering agricultural innovation, digital technologies, food security and nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, trade and value chains, gender and youth, and environmental economics.

The conference opened with an address by AAAE President Joshua Ariga and remarks from Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe. Keynote addresses were delivered by Matin Qaim, President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) and Director of ZEF, and Johan Swinnen, Director General of IFPRI. On the second day, Ousmane Badiane, Executive Director of AKADEMIYA2063, delivered the Distinguished Lecture, followed by a panel on “The Future of Agriculture in Africa and the Developing World,” convened by AAAE and IFPRI.

From digital agriculture to resilient food systems

A major strand of the conference examined how digital transformation and innovation can reshape
African agriculture. Research sessions addressed agricultural innovation and digital technologies, digital agriculture and platforms, and the opportunities and constraints associated with bringing new technologies to farmers. These discussions were complemented by work on climate-smart agricultural practices and the economics of land use and environmental sustainability. Together, they highlighted that technological innovation needs to be considered alongside institutions, markets, farmer incentives and access if it is to deliver impact at scale.

Food security and nutrition were another major component. Several parallel sessions examined the relationships between agricultural transformation, livelihoods and nutrition, while IFPRI contributed work examining the links between climate change and food safety in Africa. The programme therefore approached resilience not simply as increasing agricultural production, but through the interconnected challenges of nutrition, livelihoods, climate change and functioning food markets.

Youth, women, markets and agricultural research

The programme also gave considerable attention to gender, youth and inclusion in agrifood systems. An
invited session on “The Future of Agrifood Work in Africa: Youth, Women, and Inclusive Employment Pathways” examined employment opportunities associated with transforming agrifood systems. Other sessions considered agricultural trade, value chains and regional integration—important dimensions for turning agricultural innovation into viable economic opportunities for producers and agrifood SMEs.

Of particular relevance to agricultural research organizations was the 24 September session on “Measuring impacts of international agricultural research,” involving IFPRI Senior Research Fellow Alan de Brauw. The topic goes to the heart of a continuing challenge for agricultural research: demonstrating how investment in research translates into adoption, improved livelihoods, resilient food systems and wider development outcomes. 

The final day also brought attention to research in fragile environments through the session “Evidence-Based Pathways for Agrifood System Resilience and Recovery in Conflict-Affected Settings: Insights from Sudan.”

Related:

The Political Economy of AI in African Agrifood Systems
📅 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 26 October 2026
📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
📌 Held on the margins of the 13th ANAPRI Annual Stakeholders Conference

CGIAR Scaling Week 2026

22-24 September 2026. Nairobi, Kenya. CGIAR Scaling Week 2026.

More than 400 participants from over 40 countries and 100 organizations gathered at the International
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus in Nairobi for CGIAR Scaling Week 2026, convened by the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program. Researchers, governments, international financial institutions, funders, private-sector actors and delivery partners came together around a central challenge: how can promising innovations for food, land and water systems move beyond successful pilots and generate lasting impact at scale?

• Scaling Week Day 1: Inside the hive
• Scaling Week Day 2: The hard knocks of scaling, and how we rise
• Scaling Week Day 3: Impatient for scaling - Who pays, and what happens next?

Rather than following a conventional conference format, Scaling Week emphasized peer learning, practical problem-solving and partnership building. 

The programme combined three headline sessions with six Open Space blocks and more than 30 participant-led sessions. 

Topics ranged from:

• embedding CGIAR science in development finance and building public–private partnerships to responsible scaling in fragile settings, 
• equity and epistemic justice, 
• AI tools for scaling decisions, 
• climate finance, 
• strategic communications, 
• gender-responsive scaling, 
• demand-led seed systems and last-mile delivery.

The first day, organized around “The art of the ask,” encouraged participants to identify what they actually needed to move an innovation forward—whether finance, evidence, partnerships, policy support or access to delivery networks—and connect with people able to help. 

The second day, under the theme “Rise,” confronted the realities of scaling when promising ideas encounter institutional, financial or personal setbacks. Namukolo Covic, Saleef Nyambok and Emma Naluyima opened the day by sharing experiences of disrupted plans and difficult choices, setting the
scene for discussions about learning from failure and adapting scaling pathways.

The final day turned to the question “So what now?” A headline discussion, “Who pays for scale now? Nostalgia is not a strategy,” examined a changing development-finance landscape in which traditional aid budgets are under pressure while investment, trade, philanthropy and new partnerships are becoming increasingly important. 

Other sessions addressed connecting CGIAR innovations to investment pathways, scaling rice innovations across Africa and Asia, strengthening local champions, climate-smart agriculture and making scaling work for smallholder women.

A strong message emerging from Nairobi was that scaling is not simply about making an innovation bigger. Sustainable scaling requires understanding demand, institutions and local contexts; building coalitions; mobilizing appropriate finance; strengthening local delivery capacities; and ensuring that innovations remain inclusive and responsive to the people they are intended to serve. CGIAR Scaling Week therefore placed considerable emphasis on the systems and partnerships surrounding an innovation, rather than treating research outputs alone as the endpoint.

ROOTS AND RECIPES: The Science of Food, Identity and Belonging

25–26 September 2026 | AfricaMuseum, Tervuren, Belgium. The AfricaMuseum in Tervuren hosted the launch celebrations of ROOTS AND RECIPES: The Science of Food, Identity and Belonging, an EU-funded initiative exploring the food heritage of African diaspora communities in Belgium. See pictures

Organised in the framework of the European Researchers’ Night, the two-day programme combined research with food, film and public engagement. The programme also included an African menu prepared by Cheffe Jumah of Jumah’s Corner and concluded with a music concert. Importantly, the project’s Citizens’ Committee—six experts from African diaspora communities with backgrounds ranging from education to food entrepreneurship—has helped guide project decisions, putting community knowledge at the heart of the initiative.

ROOTS AND RECIPES is particularly relevant to efforts to reconnect agrobiodiversity, food heritage and innovation. The Food Bridge is already engaged in promoting neglected and underutilized species and African food heritage, including through activities linked to GFAiR’s Collective Action on Forgotten Foods.

On 25 September, participants attended a screening of the documentary Roots and Plates: A Story of Afro Food in Belgium, directed by Will Anderson, Mila Jones and Roger Dushime. 

The film addresses African food cultures in Belgium, including their relationship with the country’s colonial history. Watch the avant premiere 17 February 2025.

It was followed by a roundtable moderated by Sarra El Massaoudi, with researchers Nicole Grégoire and Sese Kabanyegeye and culinary experts Suzanne Badiane and Roger Dushime, discussing food both as an object of scientific research and as a marker of identity and community.

The second day placed citizen science and innovation centre stage through an African Food Science Fair. Researchers, African diaspora agrifood organisations, entrepreneurs and food enthusiasts showcased initiatives and exchanged knowledge through demonstrations, workshops and educational activities. The project brings together The Food Bridge vzw, AfricaMuseum, Meise Botanic Garden, KU Leuven and Scivil, working with a Citizens’ Committee representing African diaspora communities. Its ambition is to connect scientific research with community knowledge and explore the relationships between

The initiative demonstrates how diaspora communities can contribute not only to preserving culinary heritage but also to research, innovation, market development and knowledge exchange around indigenous and underutilized foods. By bringing scientists and communities together as knowledge partners, ROOTS AND RECIPES offered an interesting model for making food-system research more inclusive and for strengthening connections between African food heritage and European research and innovation.

More information: ROOTS AND RECIPES – The Food Bridge | AfricaMuseum programme

Belgian Government and CGIAR roundtable

On 25 September 2026, the Belgian Government and CGIAR convened the roundtable “From global shocks to local food security: the case for food systems research in Global Europe” in Brussels. 

Bringing together representatives of EU institutions, Member States, partner countries, civil society and the research community, the discussion focused on the strategic role of agricultural research and innovation in the next Global Europe programme. Participants highlighted how interconnected food systems transmit shocks across borders: climate extremes, conflicts, disruptions in energy and fertiliser markets, and trade pressures can rapidly affect agricultural production, supply chains, food prices and livelihoods far beyond where a crisis originates.

The roundtable explored why sustained European investment in food systems research and international research partnerships should form part of the response. Research and innovation can generate global public goods while helping countries build more resilient, sustainable and productive food systems. Particular attention was given to mutually beneficial cooperation between Europe and partner countries and to the contribution that CGIAR and its partners can make through Global Europe.

The panel brought together:

• Anna Okello, Director of CGIAR’s Food Frontiers and Security Science Program; 
• Christophe Larose, DG INTPA, European Commission; 
• Cecilia D’Alessandro, Sustainable Food Systems Policy Analyst at ECDPM; 
• 
  Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Secretary of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation (GFAiR). (see picture with Leonard Mizzi, Former head of Unit DG INTPA F.3 Food-systems and Fisheries)
• Moderated Annemarie Van der Avort, Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainable Food Systems at Belgium’s Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation,
• Concluding remarks by Stephanie Speck, Global Director for Strategic Partnerships, Engagement & Communications at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.