Funding Friday
Hello everyone,
This week’s newsletter highlights global opportunities to innovate, empower, and make an impact. From AI-driven traffic safety initiatives to programs supporting women entrepreneurs and celebrating African scientists, there’s something for everyone. Explore funding, mentorship, and recognition programs to take your work to the next level.
Happy Friday,
Jesse Orndorff
Global
🤖 Zero Accidents AI Challenge
📝 The Zero Accidents AI Challenge is an international initiative by the Abertis Foundation under the "Beyond Roads | Abertis Innovation" program. It seeks innovative startups capable of leveraging satellite and vehicle data combined with Artificial Intelligence to predict, prevent, and manage traffic accidents, aiming towards a vision of zero accidents.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
AI in Traffic Safety: How can AI-driven analysis of satellite and vehicle data enhance real-time traffic accident prediction and prevention?
Data Integration Challenges: What are the potential obstacles in integrating diverse data sources for traffic management, and how can they be addressed?
Global Implementation: How can solutions developed through this challenge be adapted for diverse traffic environments worldwide?
🖥️ IRE David Donald Fellowship for Data Journalism 2025
📝 The IRE David Donald Fellowship for Data Journalism supports university educators worldwide who teach data journalism and investigative reporting. The fellowship provides assistance to attend a Data Journalism Bootcamp or the NICAR Conference, aiming to enhance educators' skills in computer-assisted reporting, thereby better equipping their students to be effective watchdogs through the use of data.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Data-Driven Journalism: How can educators integrate advanced data journalism techniques into their curricula to prepare students for the evolving media landscape?
Global Perspectives: What are the challenges and opportunities in teaching data journalism across different cultural and educational contexts?
Technological Advancements: How can educators stay updated with the latest tools and methodologies in data journalism to provide relevant training to their students?
🔗 IRE David Donald Fellowship for Data Journalism 2025
Asia Pacific
🚀 LEAP AHEAD Program for Tech Entrepreneurs– India
📝 The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), in collaboration with TiE Delhi-NCR and leading investors, has launched the second edition of the LEAP AHEAD program. This pan-India initiative aims to accelerate the growth of tech startups by providing funding, mentorship, and global market exposure.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Scaling Tech Startups: What are the key challenges tech startups face when scaling, and how can structured mentorship programs address these challenges?
Investment Readiness: How can early-stage startups enhance their investment readiness to attract significant funding?
Global Market Expansion: What strategies can tech startups employ to successfully enter and compete in global markets?
🔗 LEAP AHEAD Program for Tech Entrepreneurs (2nd Edition) – India
🌟 Women Startup Program to Amplify Entrepreneurial Skills- India
📝 The Women Startup Program, an initiative by NSRCEL at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), supported by Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, aims to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs across India. The program provides tools, resources, and guidance to help women transform their innovative ideas into successful business ventures.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: How can targeted programs enhance the entrepreneurial skills of women in India?
Resource Accessibility: What resources are most crucial for women entrepreneurs to succeed in the current business landscape?
Impact on Economy: How does fostering women-led startups contribute to economic growth and innovation?
🔗 Women Startup Program to Amplify Entrepreneurial Skills (India)
📡 AIC STPI Bengaluru OCP 7.0 Open Challenge Program- India
📝 The Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Bengaluru, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, has launched the Open Challenge Program (OCP) 7.0. This initiative seeks innovative startups and MSMEs in sectors such as Healthcare, ICT, IoT, Electronics, and E-Commerce, offering comprehensive incubation support to transform ideas into successful ventures.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Sectoral Innovation: How can emerging technologies in IoT and ICT revolutionize traditional industries like healthcare and e-commerce?
Incubation Impact: What role do incubation centers play in mitigating challenges faced by early-stage startups?
Collaborative Ecosystems: How can collaborations between government initiatives and startups drive economic growth and technological advancement?
🔗 AIC STPI Bengaluru OCP 7.0 Open Challenge Program (India)
👩💻 Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) – India
📝 The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) has launched its first funding round in India, aiming to accelerate digital inclusion for women by supporting organizations that address barriers preventing women's access to and use of the internet. This initiative is a collaboration between USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Reliance Foundation, managed by the GSMA Foundation.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Bridging the Digital Divide: What innovative solutions can effectively address the gender digital divide in India's diverse socio-economic landscape?
Empowering Women Economically: How does enhancing digital inclusion contribute to women's economic empowerment and overall societal development?
Collaborative Impact: In what ways can partnerships between international organizations and local entities amplify efforts to close the gender digital gap?
🔗 WiDEF Offering Funding to Accelerate Digital Inclusion for Women in India
🌳 GEF Small Grants Programme- Cambodia
📝 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cambodia is accepting applications for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP). This initiative supports local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in implementing projects that address environmental challenges while promoting sustainable development.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Community Engagement: How can local communities in Cambodia effectively contribute to environmental conservation through grassroots initiatives?
Sustainable Development: What are the best practices for balancing environmental protection with economic growth in community-led projects?
Capacity Building: How can NGOs and CBOs enhance their capabilities to design and implement impactful environmental projects?
🔗 Applications Open for GEF Small Grants Programme in Cambodia
🌱 Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) Award- Asia Pacific
📝 The Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) is an annual initiative recognizing 25 exemplary projects from for-profit organizations across the Asia Pacific region that demonstrate outstanding steward leadership. Steward leadership emphasizes the commitment to creating a collective better future for stakeholders, society, future generations, and the environment. The SL25 list showcases projects that integrate profitable growth with addressing significant societal and environmental challenges.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Integrating Profit and Purpose: How can businesses effectively balance profitability with initiatives that address societal and environmental issues?
Long-Term Impact: What strategies can organizations employ to ensure their stewardship initiatives have enduring positive effects on communities and the environment?
Leadership in Action: How does steward leadership differ from traditional corporate social responsibility, and what are its unique benefits?
🔗 Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) Award – Asia-Pacific
Africa
🏆 Royal Society Rising Star Africa Prize 2025
📝 The Royal Society Rising Star Africa Prize honors early-career research scientists based in Africa who have made innovative contributions to the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences. Established in memory of Paul O’Brien FRS, the prize celebrates excellence in science and education across the continent.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Innovative Contributions: How can emerging African scientists leverage their unique perspectives to advance the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences?
Capacity Building: In what ways can this recognition enhance scientific capacity and inspire future generations of researchers in Africa?
Global Collaboration: How does acknowledging African scientists' achievements foster international scientific collaborations and knowledge exchange?
🔗 Royal Society Rising Star Africa Prize 2025
💧 African Water Corridor Scholarship at TU Delft
📝 The African Water Corridor Scholarship is an initiative by the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEG) at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) to support two outstanding students from Sub-Saharan Africa. This scholarship is specifically for those enrolling in the Master’s programme in Environmental Engineering, focusing on the Water Resources Engineering track.
🤔 Thought-Provoking Questions and Insights
Water Resource Management: How can advanced education in water resources engineering empower professionals to address water scarcity and quality challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Sustainable Development: In what ways can scholarship programs like this contribute to sustainable development and capacity building in developing regions?
Global Collaboration: How does international academic collaboration enhance the sharing of knowledge and innovative solutions for global water issues?