Platform for African – European Partnership in Agricultural Research for Development

Friday, July 25, 2025

AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : September 2025


Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

World Soil Day Award

2025-09-01

The World Soil Day Award (WSDA) recognizes individuals and/or institutions that have made an effort to organize successful celebrations in the framework of the World Soil Day campaign of the previous year. The award consists of US$15 thousand and a trip to Thailand. The award is open to individuals, non-profit organizations, universities, and private companies. Applications have to be submitted by 01 September 2025.

Food-System Transformation

2025-09-01

ProVeg Grants provides funding to diet-change organizations and projects that align with ProVeg‘s mission to reduce the global consumption of animals by 50%. The ProVeg Grants program offers expertise and support to organizations. ProVeg provides both financial support and assistance with capacity-building. Financial support is between US$5,000 and US$50 thousand per year. Applicants must be individuals or organizations focused on food-system transformation. ProVeg has four application deadlines per year: 01 March, 01 June, 01 September, and 01 December.

Co-operative Research Program

2025-09-10

The Co-operative Research Program (CRP) provides funding for international events (such as conferences, workshops, congresses, and symposia) and research fellowship grants. Applications are invited from research scientists working in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries who would like to conduct research projects abroad or visit international events. The deadline to apply is 10 September 2025.

Building Bridges Initiative

2025-09-15

The Building Bridges Initiative helps arborists and urban foresters communicate the value of trees and urban forests through engagement via collaborative research and other projects with public works officials, risk assessment professionals, civil engineers, wildlife researchers, soil scientists, and others. The maximum award value of grants is US$30 thousand. TREE Fund welcomes research proposals and applications from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines, of both a qualitative and a quantitative nature. The deadline for Letters of Inquiry is 15 September 2025.

Safe Arborist Techniques

2025-09-15

The Safe Arborist Techniques Fund (SATF) supports research and development into the techniques and equipment that arborists use in climbing, rigging, and working on trees to provide a safer working environment. The maximum award value of SATF grants is US$15 thousand. TREE Fund welcomes research proposals and applications from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines, of both a qualitative and a quantitative nature. The deadline for Letters of Inquiry is 15 September 2025.

Research in Arboriculture

2025-09-15

The John Z. Duling Grant Program offers funding up to US$25 thousand for 1-3 years to support exploratory work in the early stages of untested but potentially transformative research in arboriculture. In 2025, the program will focus on Propagation, Plant Selection, Development of New Varieties, and Planting/Establishment. Applicants can be of any national or ethnic origin. Applicants have to send a brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before 15 September 2025.

Funding for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry

2025-09-15

The Jack Kimmel International Grant Program makes grants to researchers in arboriculture and urban forestry worldwide. Projects of one to three years are funded to a maximum of US$10 thousand. In 2025, the grant program will be focused specifically on Arboriculture; Tree Health; and Risk Assessment. Applicants must send a brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before 15 September 2025 to apply.


Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

Biodiversity on a Changing Planet

2025-09-04

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) invites submission of interdisciplinary proposals addressing grand challenges in biodiversity science within the context of unprecedented environmental change, including climate change. The program supports a comprehensive and integrative approach to understanding planetary biodiversity from a functional perspective. Research supported by this program will improve modeling and forecasting of the consequences of functional change in biodiversity. The program supports both US-only collaborative proposals and proposals with international partnerships with National Science Foundations in China, Brazil, and South Africa. Proposals may be submitted by non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. The total anticipated funding amount is up to US$17 million. Depending on the quality of proposals, 4-6 awards are estimated to be made for design and implementation. Applications have to be submitted by 04 September 2025.

International Training in Sustainable Heritage Site Management

2025-09-05

The French-speaking International Pole of the Great Sites Network of France (RGSF) invites applications for the 10th edition of the Intensive International Training "Building the Future of Heritage Sites together: Developing and Implementing Sustainable Management". The training is intended for francophone managers working on natural or cultural heritage sites who wish to improve their professional practice. The workshop will be held in Bibracte-Morvan des Sommets (France). The program does not offer direct financial support but candidates from emerging countries will receive support in their search for a scholarship(s), provided that a local or national administration of the applicant's home state agrees to finance at least part of the expenses. The call for applications is open until 05 September 2025.

Ebbe Nielsen Challenge 2025

2025-09-07

The GBIF Ebbe Nielsen Challenge is an annual competition that seeks to inspire innovative applications of open-access biodiversity data. In 2025, the Challenge will award a total of €20 thousand for advancements in open science that feature tools and techniques that improve the access, usefulness, and quality of open biodiversity data. The Challenge is open worldwide to individuals, teams of individuals, companies and their employees, and governmental agencies and their employees. The closing date for submissions is 07 September 2025.

Small Research Grants 2025

2025-09-08

The British Ecological Society (BES) makes small research grants in support of scientific ecological research where there are limited alternative sources of funding. Small projects can be awarded up to £5 thousand. Applicants must be members of BES. However, there are no restrictions on nationality or residence of applicants, or where they carry out their research. The program has two funding rounds annually, with deadlines on 10 March and 08 September 2025.

Training & Travel Grants

2025-09-08

The British Ecological Society (BES) makes grants to PhD students and postgraduate research assistants to meet the costs of specialist field training courses and to network and publicize their research at workshops and conferences. Applicants must be members of BES. However, there are no restrictions on the nationality or residence of applicants. Grants of up to £500 are available. The program has two funding rounds annually, with deadlines on 10 March and 08 September 2025.

Outreach Grants 2025

2025-09-08

The British Ecological Society (BES) makes Outreach and Engagement Grants of up to £2 thousand to encourage the promotion of ecological science to a wide audience. Proposals must be aimed at a non-academic audience. Awards are open to individuals and organizations to organize ecological public engagement events, including BES members, researchers, schools, museums, libraries, and community groups. The program has two funding rounds annually, with deadlines on 10 March and 08 September 2025.

Global Youth Awards 2025

2025-09-14

The Global Youth Awards supports youth aged 11-25 who are leading inspirational projects for social and environmental impact around the world. This includes environmental projects and innovations to restore and regenerate the global ecosystem. The winners receive an invitation to become a Global Change Ambassador for collaborations, events, mentoring, and training. Youth from all around the world can be nominated. Nominations close 14 September 2025.


Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship

2025-09-30

The Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University to pursue the discovery and formal taxonomic description of Earth’s animal species. The fellowship program is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. A Ph.D. with relevant research experience in taxonomy and/or systematics is required. The fellow receives a stipend of US$65 thousand per year and a research and travel allowance of US$5 thousand per year. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2025.

Support for Vets and Vet Students

2025-09-30

The Zebra Foundation for Veterinary Zoological Education assists veterinary students and veterinary surgeons from anywhere in the world to gain additional experience in veterinary zoological medicine. The program funds seeing practice at an institution specializing in zoological medicine or research projects (laboratory, field, or clinic-based) leading to advances in zoo and wildlife health. Grants range from £100 to £1000. Applications are considered twice a year. The application deadlines are 31 March and 30 September 2025.

Writing, Photos, and Art about Birds and Natural History

2025-09-30

The Erik Hosking Trust supports projects of scientific and conservation value on birds and other subjects of natural history through the media of writing, photography, painting, and illustration. Projects must be directly connected with ornithology or natural history. Grants of up to £750 may be awarded to suitable candidates from any country. The application deadline is 30 September each year.

Crosscutting

True Blue Fellowship

2025-09-01

The True Blue Fellowship connects and empowers youth around the world to leverage the creative arts to enact change in local communities to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and the climate. The Fellowship provides mentorship, capacity building, and funding of up to $2,500 for 10 youth-led projects that address ocean, waterways, or climate change issues in their local communities. Young people groups, clubs, or organizations worldwide can apply. Applications are due on 01 September 2025.

World Green City Awards

2025-09-15

The AIPH World Green City Awards competition recognizes the role of city authorities in promoting and supporting greater inclusion of nature and plants in urban environments. The award is open to city governments and local authorities around the world. The submission must be made by the local authority governing the city – such as the Mayor’s or executive officer’s office. Cities receive an award certificate and a trophy, as well as global recognition and profiling opportunities. All entries will need to be submitted online before 15 September 2025.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge

2025-09-15

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge asks youth to submit scientific discoveries or explain a big scientific idea in Physics, Life Sciences, or Mathematics with a short video (max. 2:00 minutes). One winner receives a US$250 thousand post-secondary scholarship, including an additional US$50 thousand teacher prize and US$100 thousand Breakthrough Science Lab. Eligibility is limited to individuals between the ages of 13 and 18 but is open to participants worldwide without geographic limitations. Videos have to be submitted by 15 September 2025.

Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

2025-09-17

The Royal Academy of Engineering offers Research Fellowships to early-career researchers to support them to become future research leaders in engineering. (Note: This may include one or more thematic areas covered by the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Each application is capped at a maximum contribution from the Academy of £625 thousand over five years, at 80% of full economic costs. The Academy welcomes applications from early-career researchers worldwide. The deadline for applications is 17 September 2025.

Prize for Innovation in Global Security

2025-09-25

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) offers a prize to recognize groundbreaking concepts by any individual, group of individuals, or organization, that offer exceptional potential in addressing peace and security challenges. All disciplines and fields are relevant (including climate change and environmental security). The winner will receive CHF10 thousand and a certificate. The deadline for applications is 25 September 2025.

Support for Commodity Development

2025-09-29

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 27th call for proposals has a deadline of 29 September 2025.

Catholic Mission Activities

2025-09-30

The Loyola Foundation supports family-based charitable organizations in less developed countries worldwide. Past grants have helped finance the installation of solar power plants, water wells, or the construction of churches, schools, and health clinics. Generally, the Foundation accepts requests up to US$20 thousand. Projects must be part of an overseas catholic mission activity. Completed applications must be received by 31 March and 30 September 2025.

Visiting PhD Fellowship

2025-09-30

The Visiting PhD Fellowship Program gives registered doctoral students the opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research on developing economies. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program and have shown the ability to conduct research on developing economies. NU-WIDER provides a travel grant and a monthly stipend of €1,850 to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their fellowship. Deadlines for submission of applications are 31 March and 30 September each year.

PhD Internships in Economics

2025-09-30

UNU-WIDER (World Institute for Development Economics Research) invites applications for its PhD research internship program in Helsinki, Finland. Preference is for applicants who live or work in developing countries, and who are in the later stages of their PhD. Program themes in WIDER include the economics of energy, climate change, food security, and others. UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant and a monthly stipend of €1,850 during the period of the fellowship. Deadlines for submission of applications are 31 March and 30 September each year.

International Fellowships 2026

2025-09-30

The American Association for the Advancement of University Women (AAAUW) provides support for women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the USA who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Preference is given to women who show prior commitment to the advancement of women and girls through civic, community, or professional work. Fellows represent all subject areas, including those important in the Terra Viva Grants Directory. Fellows receive between US$20 thousand and US$50 thousand to pursue their studies. The deadline for the submission of applications is 30 September 2025.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Forgotten Foods: A GFAR/GFAiR Collective Action Success Story

The Collective Action on Forgotten Foods represents one of the most impactful and forward-looking partnerships under GFAR (now GFAiR)—reviving neglected and underutilized crops (NUS) to transform food systems, improve nutrition, and empower marginalized communities. Its story spans over two decades, beginning with the early recognition of "forgotten foods" as a global agri-innovation frontier.
 

Origins: A Global Innovation Priority (1999–2000)


The term “forgotten foods” began gaining traction in 1999–2000, when GFAR convened dialogues on rethinking agricultural innovation to serve smallholders, especially in marginal environments. At the GFAR2000 Global Conference in Dresden, neglected and underutilized species (NUS) were formally acknowledged as a global priority for research and innovation. These species—locally adapted, nutrient-dense, and often resilient to climate stress—had long been marginalized by mainstream agricultural R&D. GFAR partnered with actors like Bioversity International and the CGIAR NGO Committee to elevate the status of NUS in policy, research, and funding agendas.

Rising Momentum: From Advocacy to Collective Action


Through the 2000s and 2010s, GFAR supported global awareness-raising on the role of forgotten foods in combating hunger, biodiversity loss, and the erosion of traditional knowledge. These efforts laid the groundwork for the formal establishment of the Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, launched as part of GFAR’s restructured Collective Action mechanism in the late 2010s.

Key milestones included:
  • Formation of a multi-stakeholder partnership, including farmer organizations, public research institutes, NGOs, UN agencies, private sector, and youth;
  • A 2021–2022 global dialogue series on forgotten foods, led by GFAR and partners, identifying barriers and opportunities across regions;
  • The “Forgotten Foods Manifesto” (2022), calling for co-research, policy support, and investment in neglected crops;
  • Country-level engagement, such as support to India’s Odisha Millet Mission and integration of forgotten foods in school feeding, biodiversity policy, and climate resilience programs.

A Paradigm Shift in Food Innovation


Today, the Forgotten Foods Collective Action is:
  • Restoring indigenous food systems, valuing women's and communities’ knowledge;
  • Stimulating demand and markets for climate-resilient local crops;
  • Rebalancing agri-research priorities toward diversity, equity, and sustainability;
  • Driving policy shifts at national and global levels.
In September 2024, 3 consortia were selected among 21 applications for the GFAiR call for "Letters of Intention (LoI) on Forgotten Foods”: Swaminathan Foundation (India) the University of Ghana (Ghana) and The Food Bridge (Belgium). The 3 selected consortia focus on farmer-led conservation practices which are central to reviving forgotten foods. The Food Bridge (Belgium) manages a Food Heritage Project in Nigeria and Ghana with the intention of leveraging the access to the African diaspora food market, to promote consumption of indigenous African food, support rural farmers to start growing these food crops and access to premium market - see: 8th African Diaspora Agrofood Forum on Forgotten Foods. 

Food Bridge coordinates the Collective Action on Forgotten Foods. 


The Food Bridge (Belgium) coordinates the Collective Action on Forgotten Foods because of its leadership in bridging African diaspora markets with rural African farmers, its proven experience in food heritage projects in Ghana and Nigeria, and its ability to connect traditional knowledge, entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy—making it uniquely positioned to lead a global movement to revive and scale indigenous foods across continents. 

It identified two specific pathways to promote the consumption - and hence the demand for - forgotten foods: 
  1. the increased demand by the diaspora of nutritious forgotten foods of their country of origin and 
  2. the role of African Diaspora Food SMEs which offer new market niches for farmers’ organizations and agri-food SME’s. 

Between January and June 2025, the Collective Action on Forgotten Foods mobilized a diverse and dynamic set of activities—including proposal writeshops in Ghana and Nigeria, intercontinental consortium building, pilot deployments of the GAMAAL app, and high-level advocacy campaigns—that demonstrated how traditional knowledge, digital tools, and inclusive partnerships can converge to elevate opportunity crops. By centering women-led enterprises, diaspora engagement, and regional research capacity, these efforts serve as a scalable model for integrating biodiversity, nutrition, and cultural heritage into food systems transformation—offering a compelling blueprint for global action on neglected and underutilized crops.

The market study conducted in London was a pivotal step in understanding the demand, cultural relevance, and commercial potential of forgotten foods within the African and Caribbean diaspora communities. By analyzing consumer preferences, purchasing behavior, and existing supply chains, the study will provide critical insights into how opportunity crops—such as fonio, bambara groundnut, and African leafy vegetables—can be positioned in diaspora markets as both culturally resonant and nutritionally superior alternatives. 

These findings cannot only inform product development and branding strategies but can also strengthen the case for policy support and investment in transcontinental value chains that reconnect African smallholder producers with diaspora consumers seeking to reclaim food heritage.

See for further information on this market study following blog posts:

Multi-donor funded initiative to promote the use of so-called opportunity crops


Crop Trust has launched (19/03/2025) the Power of Diversity Funding Facility (PDFF). This  transformative multi-donor funded initiative will promote the use of so-called opportunity crops across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Initially, the PDFF will focus on 14 high-potential opportunity crops in seven countries, which will be announced when project partners are confirmed. 

Backed by an initial investment of €10 million from Germany and €2 million from Ireland, the PDFF will empower farmers to diversify their agricultural systems with resilient and nutritious alternatives to mainstream crops. The German funding will come via KfW, the German Development Bank, and Ireland is providing funding through its Department of Foreign Affairs.

To provide a foundation of knowledge, the Crop Trust has launched an Opportunity Crop Knowledge Base with key information on the crops prioritized by BOLDER partners.
  • The BOLDER (Building Opportunities for Lesser‑known Diversity in Edible Resources) initiative—funded by the Government of Norway under the broader BOLD program—aims to conserve underutilised, nutritious crops and make them accessible to smallholder farmers. Funded by the Government of Norway, BOLDER works to secure the diversity of these crops, and make it available to smallholder farmers in four African countries.
  • Budget: USD 22.4 million.
  • Project period: 2024 to 2030.
  • Target countries: Benin, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda.
BOLD (Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development) is a 10-year global initiative funded by the Government of Norway, coordinated by the Crop Trust to protect and utilize crop diversity for food and nutrition security. 
  • Budget: now carries a total budget of ≈ USD 80 million (up from the initial USD 58 million committed at launch).
  • Project Period: 2021 to 2030—a full decade-long initiative.
  • Partner Countries: The core implementation, centers on 15 national genebanks spread across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near East. Allied work centres on crop improvement, seed systems and “opportunity crops” in four pilot countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Ecuador, and Bhutan.
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Prolinnova: A GFAR/GFAiR Collective Action Success Story


Prolinnova (Promoting Local Innovation in Ecologically-Oriented Agriculture and Natural Resource Management) is a global multi-stakeholder initiative that strengthens farmer-led innovation and participatory agricultural research. It stands out as a long-standing and transformative success of the GFAR (now GFAiR) Collective Action model—advancing inclusive innovation by grounding research and development in the creativity of local communities.
 

Origins: Farmer Innovation Takes Center Stage


Prolinnova was initiated in December 1999 at a meeting near Paris (Rambouillet), where NGOs from the Global South and North came together to develop a new vision for farmer-driven innovation in ecologically oriented agriculture and natural resource management. This meeting was supported by GFAR, the CGIAR NGO Committee, and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rather than being created by GFAR, Prolinnova was a bold, NGO-led initiative facilitated and legitimized through GFAR’s global platform.
 
The NGO meeting in Rambouillet (France), supported by GFAR, conceptualized Prolinnova as a response to top-down agricultural innovation models. The core ideas were refined early 2000 : support farmer-led innovation, build multi-actor platforms, and institutionalize Participatory Innovation Development (PID) and in May 2000 Prolinnova was formally presented at GFAR2000 in Dresden by Ann Waters-Bayer, with strategies for piloting and scaling innovation partnerships. These early efforts positioned Prolinnova within GFAR’s framework of Global Partnership Programmes, giving it access to international platforms, co-learning opportunities, and donor engagement.
 

A Collective Action with Lasting Impact


From these beginnings, Prolinnova evolved into a multi-country, multi-actor partnership, establishing national platforms in over 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its impact includes:
  • Empowering farmer innovation systems through Farmer Innovation Fairs (FIFs) and the International Farmer Innovation Day (29 November);
  • Promoting Participatory Innovation Development (PID) as a core methodology for co-creation between farmers, researchers, and extensionists;
  • Influencing agricultural R&D agendas toward inclusive, bottom-up approaches;
  • Serving as an early model of GFAR Collective Action, with Southern actors in the lead.

Legacy within GFAiR


Prolinnova began as an NGO-initiated farmer-centered innovation network, matured through Promoting Participatory Innovation Development (PID), and eventually became formally recognized as a GFAR Collective Action in 2015–2018. This institutional shift embedded its farmer-led innovation model within global agri-food R&I systems, ensuring sustained advocacy and multi-stakeholder coordination.

As GFAR evolved into GFAiR, Prolinnova remains a flagship example of how locally led, globally supported innovation systems can thrive. It shows the power of Collective Action to shift the paradigm—from externally driven development to co-innovation rooted in farmers’ realities.

Throughout 2020-2021, the Global Forum on Agricultural Innovation Research and Innovation (GFAiR) facilitated an intensive consultation process in Asia-Pacific, as well as Africa, Europe and the Middle East. It resulted in the identification of several Collective Actions. One of the Collective Actions is on Agroecology. September 2024, 6 consortia were selected among 28 applications for the GFAiR call for "Letters of Intention (LoI) on Agrocology": APIRAS-APAARI, CACAARI, Prolinnova, PAFO, SEI and Helvetas.

Prolinnova and the GFAiR Collective Action Agroecology

The Institute of Natural Resources NPC (INR, South Africa) is representing the global Prolinnova network. INR South Africa, in collaboration with the Prolinnova network, seeks to document local farmer innovations in agroecology, focusing on adaptation to climate change, and share this knowledge with key stakeholders. It wants to engage with small-scale farmers and various actors across Africa and Asia, emphasizing the role of farmer-led innovation in promoting sustainable agriculture. It aims to contribute to the Agroecology Coalition (AEC) by facilitating knowledge co-creation and exchange. The outcomes are to support policy dialogue and inform ARD (Agricultural Research and Development) approaches. Countries: India, Nepal, Kenya, Senegal and Ghana.

Prolinnova joined recently a consortium under the GFAiR Collective Action Agroecology activities to submit a proposal for The Fonds de Dotation Roullier: call for proposals for soil research (deadline 21 April 2025): Building Resilient Farming Systems: Advancing Soil Health Restoration, Sustainable Practices, and Climate Adaptation for Future Agriculture (Applicant: Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Participating partner structures: Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, Prolinnova, Access Agriculture, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation). Unfortunately it was not selected. 


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AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : August 2025


Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

Food & Nutrition Challenge

2025-08-06

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) invites innovative, cross‑sector projects to reduce food loss and waste linked to methane and black carbon emissions while tackling malnutrition. Participants may include governments, NGOs, private sector entities, research institutions, and community organizations worldwide. Selected initiatives can receive funding, alongside technical support and alliance-building opportunities. The application deadline is 06 August 2025.


Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

Elephant Conservation and Research 2025

2025-08-01

The International Elephant Foundation makes grants for the conservation and research of elephants. Eligibility extends to organizations and individuals internationally -- including students, scientists, and institutions. The Foundation supports in situ or ex-situ conservation of African or Asian elephants or their habitats. Most awards are about US$15 thousand for one year. The application deadline for short pre-proposals is 01 August 2025.

Bio-Acoustics Product Grants

2025-08-15

Wildlife Acoustics aims to advance animal biology research, habitat monitoring and environmental conservation through bio-acoustics recording technology. The Wildlife Acoustics Scientific Product Grant Program offers US$4 thousand of product-in-kind grants to biologists, researchers, conservationists, and students who work for charitable, educational, and other tax-exempt organizations. There are no geographical limitations. Applications are evaluated quarterly with deadlines on 15 February, 15 May, 15 August, and 15 November 2025.

Wildlife Fellowship Training

2025-08-20

The Morris Animal Foundation provides animal health research funding for applicants from historically marginalized groups. Applicants must hold a veterinary degree at the time of the grant award. The maximum duration of a Fellowship Training Grant is 24 months, and the total budget cannot exceed US$145 thousand. The application deadline is 20 August 2025.

Africa Leadership Program

2025-08-25

Applications are open for the 2025 Women for the Environment (WE) Africa’s Leadership Program. Women for the Environment is a mentorship program for women leaders who focus on conservation and environmental protection in Africa. The program includes monthly online sessions and two in-person retreats for intensive community-building and personal growth. Eligibility extends to African nationals with a minimum of 15 years of experience working in the environmental space in the government, NGO, or private sector. Participants are required to contribute 15% of the course value (approx. US$2 thousand). The deadline for application submissions is 25 August 2025.

Future for Nature Award 2026

2025-08-25

The Future for Nature Award aims to stimulate a new generation of nature conservation leaders. The award is made to candidates of any nationality or residence, not older than age 35, who have achieved substantial and long-term benefit to the conservation status of one or more animal and/or plant species, or that of a specific population. Work-related to the conservation and protection of endangered species is a priority. The award is made to individuals, not organizations. Each of the three award winners will be given a cash prize and a sculpture. The winners are expected to invest their prize of €50 thousand in a conservation project of their own choice. The application deadline is 25 August 2025.

Small Grants for Conservation in Africa

2025-08-31

The Jana Robeyst Trust Fund provides financial resources to small non-profit organizations and individuals to carry out conservation research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Priority will be given to projects related to the conservation of forest elephants. Applicants can be based anywhere in the world. Funding is €1,500 per applicant. Application deadlines for small conservation grants are 30 April, 31 August, and 31 December each year.

Partnerships for Amphibian Conservation

2025-08-31

The Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) makes grants to evidence-based conservation projects that address key threats to amphibians and raise awareness. AArk Program Grants are intended to support conservation projects for amphibian species that cannot currently be saved in the wild, with a primary focus on ex situ actions, and in partnership with appropriate field activities. Funded programs will receive up to US$7,000 in the first year. Additional funds will be available for year 2 (up to US$5,000) and year 3 (up to US$3,000). Interested organizations must submit project outlines before the deadline on 31 August 2025.

Crosscutting

Postdoc Mobility

2025-08-02

Postdoc researchers who wish to pursue an academic career in Switzerland are invited to apply to the Postdoc.Mobility fellowships. The research stay enables researchers to acquire more in-depth knowledge, increases their scientific independence, and enhances their research profile. The fellowships include a grant for subsistence costs, a flat rate for travel expenses, and a possible contribution to research and conference costs. The funding period is 24 months. Foreign nationals are eligible if they have at least 2 years of research activity at a Swiss research institution. The application deadlines are 01 February and 02 August 2025.

Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition 2025

2025-08-12

The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) invites entrepreneurs from all around the world to submit innovative answers and ideas to solve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Young entrepreneurs (age 15-35) submit their ideas and projects in the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship category. Entrepreneurs over 30 years apply to the Adult Citizen Entrepreneurship category. The winners receive a certificate and international recognition. The deadline for entries is 12 August 2025.

PhD in Chemical and Biological Sciences

2025-08-14

The International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) offers postdoctoral fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, pharmacology or physical chemistry. The duration of the fellowships is six to twelve months. Subject areas range across the physical and natural sciences, including agricultural sciences. ICCBS will provide a monthly stipend to cover living costs, food, and health insurance. The deadline for receipt of applications is 14 August 2025.

Postgraduate Fellowships in Natural Sciences in Pakistan

2025-08-14

TWAS offers a postdoctoral fellowship program for young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, pharmacology or physical chemistry at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS). ICCBS will provide a monthly stipend which should be used to cover living costs such as food, accommodation and health insurance. Applicants for these fellowships must be permanent residents in a developing country and hold a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences. The application deadline is 14 August 2025.

African Mobility Fellowship

2025-08-15

PAGES runs an International Mobility Research Fellowship Program for African early-career scientists on past global changes. The program aims to contribute to the development of collaborative research and the promotion of paleoscience networks in Africa. The fellowship supports African early-career scientists pursuing international research experience in paleoscience and is intended to support costs associated with international travel and living expenses while abroad. The next deadline for new applications is 15 August 2025.

Tech for Good Impact Awards

2025-08-15

The Zendesk Tech for Good Impact Awards provides free software and multiple grants ranging from US$5 thousand to US$50 thousand to global nonprofit organizations. Impact Awards are made to products that promote resilience, foster community, and increase access to careers in technology in areas that range from refugee rights to environmental justice. Zendesk will also provide free product and software donations and Pro Bono support. Applications are due 15 August 2025.

International Contest about Social and Environmental Issues

2025-08-22

Submissions are open for the Posterheroes contest that calls for posters about social and environmental issues. Posterheroes invites students, professional designers, and everyone who is into graphic design to create a poster. Participants can win a cash prize of up to US$2,500. The submission deadline is 22 August 2025.

Global Innovation Challenge

2025-08-29

Social Shifters announces the Global Innovation Challenge to help young leaders and founders solve the social or environmental issues that matter to them. The challenge seeks creative ideas, projects, and business solutions to the problems that matter to local communities and welcomes ideas from anywhere in the world. Participants compete for awards of up to US$15 thousand to deliver activities that improve lives, help communities, and protect the planet. All ideas must be led by young people aged between 18-30 years old. The application deadline is 29 August 2025.

Visiting Scholar

2025-08-31

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) provides visiting scholarships to mid- to late-career stage scientists and academics involved in Antarctic research. Scholars can undertake short-term visits (up to 4 weeks) to an institute in another SCAR member country, to provide training and mentoring. The Visiting Scholar Scheme provides individual awards of up to US$5 thousand. The closing date for applications is 31 August 2025.

Foresight Workshops

2025-08-31

EuroMarine funds Foresight Workshops with a maximum funding of €10 thousand. Workshops should focus on emerging and important topics requiring European-wide coordination. All workshops are expected to yield scientific publications in the wider area of understanding, protection, and management of the Ocean. Proposals should involve at least three full Member Organizations of EuroMarine, from at least two different countries. Applicants are welcome to involve any relevant organizations from developing countries. The submission deadline for workshop proposals is 31 August 2025.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2025

CEA-FIRST Strategy and Operational Plan

21 July 2025. e-consultation on the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan

The CEA-FIRST consortium in collaboration with AFAAS, organised this high-level e-consultation on the International Research Consortium (IRC) Strategy and Operational Plan. This consultative session brought together stakeholders from IRC-FNSSA, CEA-FIRST institutions, and key research and policy actors from the EU and AU Member States. It helped shape the final IRC Strategy and Operational Plan (SOP), facilitated focused discussions on the IRC’s strategic objectives, governance model, and delivery mechanisms, as well as explored how the IRC can drive the implementation of the 2027-2037 AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap.


Speakers:
  • Welcome and opening - Dr. Lilian Lihasi Kidula, Executive Director, AFAAS 
  • Introduction to FNSSA and IRC Dr. Irene Annor Frempong, CEA-FIRST Project Coordinator, FARA 
  • Overview of challenges and opportunities for R&I systems  - Dr. Jim Woodhill, Lead Foresight4Food Initiative & Mr. Tim Fry, University of Reading  
  • Overview of IRC draft strategy Dr. Jim Woodhill 
Panel discussion – how IRC can best support implementation of the FNSSA? 
  • Hans-Joerg Lutzeyer – EC-DG RTD,  
  • Guy Faure – EC-DG INTPA,  
  • Patrick Okori – RUFORUM,  
  • Oyewale Abioye – CGIAR-IITA,  
  • Bernard Mallet – CIRAD,  
  • Mahaman Bachir Saley – AUC-ESTI,  
  • Jennie van der Mheen – WUR  

Main outcomes :

Validation of Strategic Objectives & Governance Framework
  • Stakeholders endorsed a sharpened set of strategic objectives aligned with the 2027–2037 AU‑EU FNSSA Roadmap—emphasizing climate resilience, digitalization, and inclusive agri-innovation.
  • Agreement was reached on a proposed governance model featuring a central Secretariat, a multi‑stakeholder IRC Council, and thematic Working Groups covering policy, funding, R&I practices, and knowledge scaling. 
Operational Mechanisms & Tools Finalization
  • Participants refined delivery mechanisms including:
  • Working Group operations and ToRs;
  • MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning) indicators;
  • Knowledge‑management protocols and ethical guidelines. afaas-africa.org+1irc-ceafirst.org+1
  • A shared vision emerged to merge existing platforms (KEOPS, FNSSA database) into a unified IRC knowledge hub.
Alignment with AU‑EU FNSSA Roadmap & HLPD
  • The session outlined how the IRC will catalyze implementation of the 2027–2037 FNSSA Roadmap, through coordinated Working Group contributions and Secretariat liaising with the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD). 
  • Emphasis was placed on linking IRC outputs to broader AU-EU policy frameworks and decision-making structures. 
Expanded Stakeholder Engagement & Membership Strategy
  • Consensus emerged on actively expanding IRC membership to include diverse stakeholders (public, private, regional, research, farmer groups).
  • A strategic outreach plan was endorsed, featuring stakeholder surveys, online engagement sessions, and clustering alignment workshops. 
Next Steps & Timelines 
  • Incorporation of session feedback into a draft IRC SOP by late July;
  • Launch of Working Groups and ethical/guideline frameworks by Month 24 of CEA‑FIRST;
  • Presentation of the final IRC SOP at HLPD WG in November and full rollout in early 2026. 
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What Do We Know About the Future of Food Systems?

23 July 2025. What Do We Know About the Future of Food Systems?
9:30 – 11:00 am (America/New_York)
3:30 – 5:00 pm (Europe/Amsterdam)
7:00 – 8:30 pm (Asia/Kolkata)

This event marks the launch of a collection of short chapters that synthesize current knowledge about different aspects of the future of food systems. Written by more than 100 scientists from around the world with expertise in a wide range of related disciplines and regions, these chapters provide accessible overviews of the latest foresight research on each topic, guide readers toward more detailed information, and offer insights into how our knowledge of future trends can be improved.


The launch will present an overview of the book and highlight key findings from select chapters, followed by a panel discussion featuring speakers from country partners, regional organizations, and donor agencies.
  • Moderator Welcome - Elisabetta Gotor, Principal Scientist, Performance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
  • Opening Remarks - Sandra Cristina Kothe Milach, Chief Scientist, CGIAR
  • Overview - Keith Wiebe, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
Selected Chapter Highlights
  • Impact area: Poverty – Karl Pauw, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI 
  • Driver: Innovation – Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Senior Research Associate, Department of Global Development, Cornell University 
  • Region: West and Central Africa – Dolapo Enahoro, Senior Agricultural Economist, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
  • Commodity: Aquatic Foods – Chin Yee Chan, Scientist, WorldFish
Panel Discussion 
Closing Remarks
  • Clemens Breisinger, Program Leader for the Kenya Strategy Support Program; Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
  • Elisabetta Gotor, Principal Scientist, Performance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

Resource

Wiebe, Keith D.; and Gotor, Elisabetta. 2025. What do we know about the future of food systems? Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. 244 pp.

This book presents a collection of short chapters on the current state of knowledge about different aspects of the future of food systems, written by a diverse group of scientists from around the world with expertise in a wide range of related disciplines and regions.

Each chapter examines a particular aspect of food systems, describes recent trends and challenges that highlight the importance of the topic, summarizes the latest available foresight research on that topic, and identifies key gaps in existing foresight research that merit further attention. In a world of complexity and uncertainty, the goal of this book — and the purpose of foresight analysis, more generally — is not to predict the future with precision, but rather to carefully consider and present what can be known about possible future pathways in order to inform choices today.
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Monday, July 21, 2025

Transmitting African food traditions in Europe

18 July 2025.  Brussels. Vyakulani II event by Foodbridge 

Foodbridge officially celebrated the launch of Vyakulani Africa II, the second phase of their grassroots “Vyakulani” initiative. The highlight was the announcement that the project had secured IM­PE­TUS funding for its “citizen science” component. This crucial support enables local communities—especially African diaspora groups—to engage in food heritage documentation and cultural mapping through participatory research and shared storytelling.

During the event, Foodbridge brought together chefs, community leaders, researchers, and volunteers who’ve been actively collecting traditional recipes, oral histories, and culinary practices from diverse African backgrounds. The goal? To continue building an open-access, interactive platform that celebrates the flavors, techniques, and cultural narratives brought to Belgium by African migrants. 

Vyakulani II expands on the first phase by introducing more digital tools, workshops, and hands-on activities to deepen community-driven knowledge gathering. It marked a significant milestone in empowering the African diaspora in Brussels and beyond: by equipping participants with the means to serve as “citizen scientists,” it strengthens cultural preservation, fosters intergenerational dialogue, and takes African food heritage from private kitchens into public memory—anchored by research, storytelling, and collaboration.


Background Vyakulani Africa II - mapping the African food legacy in Belgium

The IM­PE­TUS Accelerator is a planned and structured programme that includes training activities, mentoring and financial support for the Citizen Science Initiatives (CSIs) that are selected in the IMPETUS annual Open Calls. IMPETUS is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

Vyakulani is one of the 26 projects selected under the IM­PE­TUS Accelerator Challenge #2: Citizen Science for a Fair and Just Society. 


Vyakulani – "in the Food" or "which food" – is a Swahili term with a dual meaning that captures the essence of our project. The Vyakulani Africa II project addresses the challenges of transmitting African food traditions in Europe by identifying practical ways to bridge the knowledge gap. The research will focus on two key groups: 
  • Transmitters – African women facing difficulties in passing down their food traditions. 
  • Receivers – Second-generation women of African descent and non-Africans who are interested in learning African culinary traditions. 
It will gather data from women aged 18 and above to assess their knowledge of African cuisine, how they acquired it, and the factors that facilitate or hinder intergenerational knowledge transfer. To address any gaps in culinary knowledge transfer, this initiative will provide training for older women to help them adapt their traditional recipes into easy-to-follow formats. These women will then lead cooking sessions to educate young people and non-Africans on African culinary practices.

Related:


Once dismissed as wild weeds and a "poor man's food", indigenous leafy vegetables in Kenya are now becoming much more common - grown on farms, sold in markets and gracing the menus of restaurants. Vegetables like cabbage, spinach, kale and spring greens, introduced by colonial authorities before the 1960s, are more readily available and cheaper. Spring greens are known as "sukumawiki", meaning "stretch the week" in Swahili, reflecting how they have become a daily staple. It's part of the growing wave of Kenyans who see the benefits of eating local, organically produced nutrient-rich varieties of greens.
"This trend is reflected in government data and some of the health benefits are backed by research. Over the last 10 years, production of local greens has doubled - with 300,000 tonnes produced by local farmers last year. It is a remarkable change in attitudes, given people used to look down on traditional crops as inferior - not realising they were often more resistant to diseases and pests, meaning they can be grown organically". Abukutsa-Onyango She is a professor of horticulture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology whose work focuses on African indigenous food crops.

Francis Ngiri, used to farm in Kirinyaga in central Kenya where cabbages are a mainstay crop. Determined to do something so they would not be lost forever, Mr Ngiri moved his operation to Kenya's Rift Valley - an area he considers relatively untouched by chemical contamination - so he could practise organic farming of indigenous crops. On a four-acre (1.6 hectare) farm in Elementaita, he began with 14 native varieties in 2016. 

Today that has grown to 124 native varieties, many of which he has sourced through seed exchanges with fellow farmers. His farm now draws visitors from across Kenya and neighbouring countries. They come to see how he collaborates with 800 other regional farmers, who also grow organic food for local markets, to preserve and regenerate "forgotten plants", ensuring their genetic diversity is safeguarded for future generations. Nonetheless by swapping seeds, Mr Ngiri and his colleagues are actually breaking the law as the government only allows the planting of certified seeds.

"Today only the introduced varieties thrive as the soil has become too acidic to support many native species. This is because, especially during the 1970s, those growing imported leafy vegetables used fertilisers and pesticides that damaged the local biodiversity." Francis Ngiri.

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