Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Monday, April 14, 2014

PAEPARD: ARD funding opportunities


A G R I C U L T U R E

This Call for proposals invites consortia composed of private and public practitioners organisations and research organisations, from the 15 Dutch development partner countries and from the Netherlands, to submit project proposals for applied research for innovation. Of the 15 partner countries for Dutch international cooperation, following countries are from Africa: Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, South Sudan, Uganda. A grant amounts to a minimum of 50,000 euro (for six months) to a maximum of 300,000 euro (for 36 months). Proposals can be submitted continuously during the course of this first Call for proposals. This Call closes at 15 April 2014.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation invites abstracts of project proposals in three themes related to global food security: (1) Agricultural practices and food systems to raise nutrition; (ii) Rights to adequate food; and (iii) Reduced water use in agriculture. Proposals have to be relevant at global level and show a clear link to policy frameworks. Projects are for three years, with possible extensions. The deadline for abstracts is 23 April 2014.

This BMGF call includes a topic on "Innovations in Feedback & Accountability Systems for Agricultural Development" (among others). The Foundation is looking for tools or approaches that enable farmers' voices to be consistently heard in all phases of projects for agricultural development. Ideas are invited from anywhere in the world. Funding is up to US$100 thousand for 18 months. The closing date for submissions is 06 May 2014.

·         Sustainable Agricultural Water Productivity Enhancement For Improved Food Security And Nutrition In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Facilitating Implementation Of Policies To Enhance Equitable Access To Input And Output Markets In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Enhancing Capacities In Price Forecasting And Input And Output Markets Price Policy Analysis.
·         Enhancing Participation Of Small And Medium Enterprise Actors In The Higher End Of Value Chains In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Developing And Upscaling Technologies And Innovations For Management Of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Development of Smallholder Wheat Production Systems And Value Chains In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Crop-Livestock-Fish Integration To Enhance Food Security, Nutrition And Resilience of Smallholder Farms In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Capacity Development For Sustainable Plant Genetic Resources (PGRS) Utilization And Conservation In Eastern And Central Africa
·         Strengthening Fruits And Vegetables Value Chains For Improved Production, Processing, Marketing And Nutrition Security In Eastern And Central Africa
Deadline: 13 May 2014

The Innovation Fund for Ethiopia Agriculture invites proposals for innovative projects that link activities in agriculture and health in order to reduce food security and malnutrition. Applicants are Ethiopian NGOs and Ethiopian national or private research institutes, optionally working with external partners (external partners are limited to 25% of the total agreement). USAID anticipates making three awards, at least one of which will focus on pastoralist areas. Funding Opportunity APS-663-14-000002. The application deadline is 15 May 2014.

The Innovation Labs will engage U.S. university capacity in support of the program "Feed the Future." The Innovation Labs aim to promote collaboration among universities in the USA and developing countries, national and international research centers, the private sector, and NGOs to sustainably intensify small-holder farming in the developing world. USAID will provide up to US$50 million over five years for a leader award (program manager) and for associate awards. Eligibility for the leader award is restricted to U.S. universities and colleges. The closing date is 15 May 2014. 

The Work Programme on ‘Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy’ offers opportunities in finding diverse 
and innovative solutions to well-identified challenges in key EU policy priorities. Through generic or dedicated topics, a broad multidisciplinary participation is welcomed in these efforts.
Specific topics related to Africa:
·         SFS-6-2014: Sustainable intensification pathways of agro-food systems in Africa (page 14) Deadline 26 June 2014
·         SFS-18-2015: Small farms but global markets: the role of small and family farms in food and nutrition security (page 29) Deadline First stage 24 February 2015

C L I M A T E  C H A N G E 

The Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) at the University of Cape Town organizes a "winter school" intensive course in June-July. The course is presented by facilitators from CSAG and other institutions to take participants through the full spectrum of topics related to climate and climate change, with an emphasis on issues in developing countries. CSAG offers partial sponsorships to some participants. The application deadline is 25 April 2014.

In partnership with the French Committee of IUCN, the FFEM announces its 2014 call for small-scale initiatives (PPI) addressing biodiversity conservation and the fight against climate change in West Africa, Madagascar, and Mozambique. Priority is for African NGOs, and international organizations that support them, for grants that average €35 thousand (up to 75% of total project costs). The deadline for pre-proposals is 15 June 2014.

B I O D I V E R S I T Y

The EC will support local governments in Senegal to address pollution created by solid wastes. Eligibility for funding extends to local governments and associations in Senegal and in EU countries for grants of €250 thousand to €350 thousand, subject to cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/135496/DD/ACT/SN. The closing date is 21 April 2014.

The World Conservation Union in the Netherlands (IUCN-Netherlands) manages the Purchase of Nature program, funded by the Dutch Postal Code Lottery. The program provides grants of up to €85 thousand for the purchase and protection of threatened wildlife habitats and vulnerable ecosystems, mainly in tropical developing countries. The grants are to local conservation organizations in those countries. Pre-proposals are due before 01 May 2014.

The thematic focus of the 2014 International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture call for proposals is working towards sustainable food security by assisting farmers to adapt to climate change via conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Eligibility extends to governmental and non-governmental organizations in countries that are contracting parties to the Treaty. Funding is up to US$150 thousand for projects in one country, and up to US$500 thousand for projects operating across multiple countries. The deadline for pre-proposals to the national focal points is 05 May 2014. 

The UK-ESPA-2014 calls for 'blue skies' research that advances global understanding on the way that ecosystem services contribute to poverty alleviation, with emphasis on new understanding that can benefit poor people in low-income countries. Grants will range between £50 thousand and £150 thousand for projects of up to one year. The application deadline for proposals is 14 May 2014.

The Ekhaga Foundation (Sweden) makes grants for research in ecological agriculture and biological medicine. Universities, research institutes, etc., from all over the world are invited to apply, although Ekhaga recommends cooperation with a European institution. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2014.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery offers the Green Challenge to encourage the development of products and services that contribute to an environmental lifestyle; that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and that rate highly in aspects of quality, design, and convenience. The competition is open globally. The Green Challenge accepts business plans through 03 June 2014.

This Competition seeks innovative ways to reduce the amount of fisheries by-catch while protecting the environment. The contest is open worldwide and will be judged by fisheries experts, gear technologists, fishermen, scientists, researchers, and conservationists. The grand prize is US$30 thousand, and several additional prizes will be offered. The deadline is 31 August 2014.

Axé sur l’opérationnel, SEP2D s’inscrit dans l’esprit de REDD+, de la mise en œuvre du protocole de Nagoya et de la Stratégie Mondiale de Conservation des Plantes (SMCP) révisée. Dans tous les domaines, l’accent sera mis sur les actions, enseignements et projets qui auront un fort impact REDD+ et/ou participeront à la valorisation de la biodiversité végétale. Des partenariats seront développés avec le secteur privé. Six établissements français ont joué un rôle moteur dans SEP : l’IRD, le MNHN, le CIRAD, le CNRS, et les Universités Pierre et Marie Curie, et Montpellier.
Mai 2014 : En cas de décision positive de l'AFD, démarrage de SEPDD
Début 2015 : Démarrage effectif de SEPDD ;  projets, actions, opérations-pilotes

Fellowships/Scholarships 

The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences provides fellowships to researchers in developing countries to collaborate with Japanese counterparts for research in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The "Tsukuba" fellowships is carried out at the JIRCAS headquarters in Japan, and the "Project Site" fellowships are at the research institutes in the developing countries where JIRCAS collaborative research projects are being implemented. The deadline for applications in both programs is 21 April 2014.

The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP) offers fellowships for graduate students from developing countries for agricultural research at universities in the USA. The program currently invites applications from citizens of USAID-assisted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Each research project is coordinated by a university in the student's home country, a university in the USA, and a mentor in the CGIAR. The application deadline is 01 May 2014.

Netherlands Organization for Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) offers opportunities for professionals in 50 developing countries to pursue masters degrees, PhD studies, and short courses in the Netherlands. Individuals applying for fellowships must be admitted to the relevant academic programs in order to be eligible for funding. Programs include subjects in agricultural and veterinary sciences; sustainable energy; marine biology; water resources; environmental governance; and various other areas related to environment and natural resources. Application deadlines vary by sub-programs -- with deadlines on 06 May 2014, and 07 October 2014.

New Zealand's government provides a variety of opportunities for training and university study through the New Zealand Aid Program, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The priorities often include agriculture, renewable energy, fisheries, disaster risk management, and other areas related to natural resources and environment. Application deadlines are specific to each country/regional program. The deadline for applicants from Africa is 01 August 2014.

The Christensen Fund makes grants to indigenous-led and community-based organizations for projects that combine biodiversity with cultural diversity. Most grants are in the range of US$50 thousand to US$100 thousand for one or two years. Application dates are 01 August through 31 August for project pre-proposals from the  African Rift Valley.

O T H E R  

The EC will support a twinning project to strengthen the administrative framework and operational capacity of Egypt's Agricultural Research Center. The available funding is €1.4 million. Reference EuropeAid/135647/IH/ACT/EG. The deadline is 01 May 2014. 

The overall objective of the E+ STEP is to advance innovation collaboration between South Africa and Europe. It aims to provide opportunities for the exchange of information and best practices in technology transfer between South Africa and Europe; to enhance and promote innovation collaboration between South Africa and Europe; and to identify and reduce barriers to innovation collaboration between South Africa and Europe. ESASTAP Plus is funded by the European Commission to support the deepening of scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and South Africa, with a special focus on innovation.  The application deadline is 16 June 2014.

The SVN Innovation Awards aim to foster the next generation of cutting-edge leaders who are changing the way the world does business. Past award winners include some in areas such as irrigation, agricultural fertilization, solar energy, and other topics relevant for the developing world. Award winners are offered networking opportunities and professional contacts. Applications are invited from for-profit and non-profit organizations that meet the eligibility requirements. The application deadline is 09 May 2014. 

The Monsanto Fund makes grants in support of agricultural communities around the world. Grants of US$25 thousand and more are available to tax-exempt charitable organizations for activities and projects that address farmers' education and training; food security; community water and sanitation; and other local needs. Monsanto's international grants are administered at the country level; interested persons should contact the Fund's national liaison. The second yearly application period is 01 July 2014 through 31 August 2014. 

Grants up to US$15 thousand are available to individual young scientists in countries belonging to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Renewable energy is among the eligible subject areas. The application deadline is 31 August 2014. 

The Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research annually awards a prize to scientists working at or in association with a Swiss institution in agricultural research for development. The best PhD or post-doc project wins CHF 5 thousand, and the best masters project CHF 1 thousand. The application deadline is 15 July 2014.


The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) awards the John Dillon Fellowships to young agricultural scientists and economists in developing countries for professional visits to Australia. The fellowships aim to develop leadership skills in agricultural research management, agricultural policy, and/or extension technologies. Applicants are citizens of ACIAR's priority partner countries who spend several weeks at one or two host Australian organizations. ACIAR funds eight to ten John Dillon fellowships per year. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2014. 

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