Funding Friday...
Develop Impact - Issue 170
Happy Friday!
I hope this message finds you well. As we continue to navigate through the rapidly evolving landscapes of technology, health, and social innovation, funding remains an instrumental catalyst for transformative change.
We are thrilled to bring you this week’s edition of our newsletter, highlighting 12 new and exciting funding opportunities across diverse sectors and geographical locations. These opportunities present a unique chance for you and your organization to amplify your work, impact, and reach.
Inside this edition, you'll find funding calls from prestigious and impactful entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is soliciting proposals to catalyze equitable artificial intelligence (AI) use in low and middle-income countries. If your work is focused on bridging the digital divide, the Internet Society's $60,000 grants for Internet Access and Connectivity may pique your interest.
For those seeking to combat climate change and foster environmental sustainability, the Open Earth Platform Initiative offers significant funding to advance digital transformation and open digital architecture for climate adaptation and nature data.
These are just a few examples of the exceptional funding opportunities included in this newsletter. Each opportunity presents a chance for your organization to secure the resources necessary to take your innovative solutions to the next level. We wish you the very best as you explore these opportunities and, as always, are here to support you on your journey to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.
Have a great weekend!
Jesse
What’s funding this week…
Global
Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Grand Challenges (GC) Partners have launched a call for proposals seeking innovative and safe approaches to the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4, to build an evidence base in various sectors within low- and middle-income countries. Projects should ideally be executed over a 3-month period and should demonstrate how the tool can support decision-making, accelerate pathways from evidence to policy development and implementation, enhance communications, improve resource allocation, or support front-line workers. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for each project, and the overall budget for this call is up to $3,000,000.
Democratic Inputs to AI
Due Date: June 24, 2023, 9:00 PM PST
OpenAI is launching a program to award ten $100,000 grants to fund experiments in creating a democratic process for deciding the rules AI systems should adhere to, within the bounds defined by law. They are seeking teams worldwide to develop proofs-of-concept for such a democratic process. The goal is to learn from these experiments and use them as a foundation for a more global and ambitious process in the future. The governance of powerful AI systems must have strong public oversight, and this grant program represents a step towards establishing democratic processes for overseeing AI. Each recipient will receive a $100,000 grant to pilot their proposal and will be required to publish a public report on their findings by October 20, 2023.
IBM Hyper Protect Accelerator 2023 for Startups
Due Date: June 30, 2023
The IBM Hyper Protect Accelerator 2023 is now open for applications. This investment-readiness and technical mentorship program is run in partnership with Village Capital and IBM and supports impact-focused startups that handle highly sensitive data to enhance digital, financial, and healthcare services. The 2023 program will expand to support more companies working on impactful Datatech products and will consist of three components: The IBM Hyper Protect Accelerator, Friends of Hyper Protect, and The DataTech for Good Coalition. This accelerator provides up to $120,000 of free IBM cloud credits, access to IBM’s network, and tailored business support from Village Capital. The virtual accelerator will run from September to December 2023 with continued support from IBM into 2024.
$60,000 Internet Access and Connectivity Grants
The Internet Society and Internet Society Foundation have launched two funding programs - Connecting the Unconnected and Sustainable Technical Communities. The former offers up to $60,000 in funding to communities and local organizations working to build and expand internet infrastructure to connect people living in rural, remote, and low-income areas. The latter program offers up to $4,000 annually to support the growth of strong and sustainable technical communities that can help the internet thrive by building, promoting, and defending an open, globally connected, trustworthy, and secure internet based on local and regional needs.
WFF Transformative Research Challenge 2023 – Special Water Prize
Due Date: May 31, 2023
Nominations are open for the WFF Transformative Research Challenge 2023 – "Role of Water in Agrifood Systems Transformation" Special Prize. This prize is co-hosted with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) MENA Region, and the Food and Agriculture Youth Institute (FAYI – IAAS) and addresses one of the most pressing challenges of our time: water scarcity. The goal is to encourage researchers to propose transformative solutions ensuring the sustainable use and management of water in various agricultural landscapes, focusing on agrifood systems transformation.
Elsevier-ISES Renewable Transformation Challenge 2023
Due Date: July 3, 2023
The Elsevier-ISES Renewable Transformation Challenge 2023 is now open for applications. The challenge aims to recognize and honor outstanding work towards achieving a world powered by renewable energy with accessible energy for all. It aligns with the vision of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) of an energy system entirely supplied by renewable energy, used efficiently and wisely, and accessible for all. The challenge is run every two years to acknowledge accomplishments by organizations including private enterprises, NGOs, and research institutions for undertaking projects and programs that help move the world toward an entirely renewable energy system. The winning project represents a step toward realizing ISES's vision.
Open Earth Platform Initiative - Digital Transformation through Open Digital Architecture for Climate Adaptation and Nature Data
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is calling for proposals for its Open Earth Platform Initiative. The goal is to establish a robust and openly accessible infrastructure for data across projects and sectors related to climate adaptation and nature. The initiative seeks proposals that contribute to protecting the environment, improving adaptation to the consequences of climate change, and strengthening resilience against climate-related natural disasters. The available grant amount is approximately NOK 14 million (about USD 1.6 million) over the period 2023-24. Norad expects to enter into 1-2 agreements.
Africa & Middle East
Call for Proposals: Adolescent and Youth SRHR Inclusive Access Initiative 2023
Due Date: June 30, 2023
Hivos Southern Africa is inviting proposals for its Adolescent and Youth SRHR Inclusive Access Initiative project. This initiative is part of the Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Fund. The grants will be given to organizations that propose innovative ways to tackle the key challenges adolescents and young people face in accessing SRHR information and services. Preference will be given to organizations promoting synergies, networks, and collaborations in East and Southern Africa. Grants up to $100,000 are available across three categories: for youth-led and youth-focused organizations; for collaboration grants supporting SRHR advocacy initiatives; and for youth-led research initiatives.
Africa Young Innovators for Health Award 2023
The Africa Young Innovators for Health Award, sponsored by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and Speak Up Africa, is focused on supporting young health entrepreneurs across Africa who are advancing promising healthcare solutions in their communities. The 2023 edition of the award is seeking health innovations that contribute to the vision of Universal Health Coverage. Both genders are equally represented in the award program, with a total of $90,000 in funding available. Other benefits include a three-month business mentorship program, expert advice on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), media exposure, and access to a global network of supporters and partners.
Learn More: https://africayounginnovatorsforhealth.org
NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator Programme 2023
Due Date: July 8, 2023
The NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator Programme 2023, established by IRENA with support from the United Arab Emirates, aims to empower youth to actively participate in the energy transition. The programme, created in collaboration with Social Alpha and Enel Foundation, supports the development and implementation of youth-led solutions in the climate and sustainable energy sectors. IRENA and its partners will provide successful participants with access to funding opportunities, business networks, and other resources to help bring their ideas to market. A maximum of 30 youth innovators and entrepreneurs will be selected for the first edition of the programme.
Apply Here: https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Partnerships/Youth-Engagement/NewGen-Accelerator
Digital Innovations for Peace (DIP) Crowdsourcing Competition
Due Date: May 27, 2023
Applications are currently open for the Digital Innovations for Peace (DIP) Crowdsourcing Competition 2023. This competition, hosted by Leaders International, is aimed at encouraging digital media practices in the Middle East and North Africa regions. It's a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs in digital media and fact-checking. The DIP initiative, co-funded by the EU and implemented by Leaders International, DW Akademie, and Elbiro Media, aims to foster social resilience against the growing threat of disinformation and promote peace in the digital sphere in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia. Successful applicants will participate in a 3-week online training program.
CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa – Togo 2023 for African Fintech Startups
Due Date: June 18, 2023
The CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa – Togo 2023 programme is now open for applications. This initiative, supported by the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and developed by the LHoFT Foundation, focuses on companies aiming to enhance financial inclusion in Africa. The programme intends to foster relationships with Luxembourg’s Microfinance industry while promoting initiatives that align with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s finance center. In its 6th edition, this programme will leverage Luxembourg's inclusive finance and fintech ecosystem to support selected firms in achieving their inclusion goals and developing their businesses. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage with the larger Microfinance community at the African Micro Finance Week (SAM), providing meaningful connections with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, IMFs and more.