Funding Friday...
Develop Impact - Issue 150
Happy Friday friends!
We're back with Funding Friday. I hope you have been having an impactful and productive work week.
In this week's edition, we’re highlighting seventeen global funding opportunities for your #tech4good project to address challenges and build a more sustainable and inclusive world.
In addition, if you have anything you would like to share with this community, please let me know.
Have a good weekend!
Jesse
What’s funding this week…
Global
Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) is looking for startups and organizations operating in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Pacific Islands, and Western Balkans, that innovatively apply Web3 and blockchain technology to build solutions for underserved populations.
Priority focus areas include, but are not limited to:
Access to credit for underbanked users
Nature-based solutions for climate resilience
Humanitarian aid delivery
Transparent supply chains
Crypto-enabled wallets for underserved users
The Fund will provide equity-free grants of up to $100,000 to ten eligible startups. Alongside capital, MCV will also provide mentorship, impact measurement advisory, access to partnership opportunities, knowledge exchange, and brand exposure.
Submission deadline: March 31, 2023.
Call for Proposals: CMCC Climate Change Communication Award “Rebecca Ballestra”
The CMCC Climate Change Communication Award “Rebecca Ballestra” aims to showcase and promote the most creative and impactful initiatives that:
increase public awareness of climate change and its interactions with society, the economy, the environment, and the policy-making process;
disseminate science-based information and data related to climate change through the application of innovative ideas, technologies, and methodologies in the field of media, journalism and communication at large;
communicate the threats and opportunities posed by the climate change challenge using multiple languages and innovative mediums, including journalism, art, visuals, and music;
trigger action in the audiences addressed, including students, consumers, businesses, and politicians.
The finalists and the winner of the CMCC Climate Change Communication Award “Rebecca Ballestra” – together with any special mentions that the jury may decide to make – will be announced during a high-level event that will be held in autumn 2023. The author(s) of the winning project will have the opportunity to present their project and their work at the event and will receive a cash prize of 5,000 euros.
Submission deadline: June 25, 2023.
MassChallenge Switzerland Equity-free Early-Stage Accelerator
Applications for MassChallenge Switzerland an equity-free Early-Stage Accelerator are now open. Startups can be from any geography and should select the relevant track of interest in the application form. Industry Tracks are simply an option. In 2023, Switzerland’s tracks include:
Sustainable Food Track
Sustainable Industry Track
Climate Solutions Track
HealthTech Track
Participants gain access to:
Unrivaled access to 15+ global corporate partners including Nestlé, Bühler, Givaudan, DSM, Louis Dreyfus Company, General Mills, Südzucker, Ricola, PMI, Bystronic, SMC, Georg Fischer – totaling over CHF 260 billion in revenue
World-class mentoring from 400+ experts and tailored programming provided with no equity taken in return
The opportunity to compete for up to CHF 1M in non-dilutive cash prizes and other in-kind awards
For Food and Climate focused startups, an additional cash prize of CHF 100k no-strings-attached for the Louis Dreyfus Company Climate Resilience Prize.
Switzerland-specific advice on regulations and tax, easy access to the EU market, and strong trade links
A proven model that has helped more than 65% of finalists raise funds during or immediately after the program
Submission deadline: March 1, 2023.
Applications for AFS Global STEM Accelerators Cohort 1 are Now Open
Applications for AFS Global STEM Accelerators Cohort 1 are now open, full scholarship program for girls who are active global citizens and energized to help solve some of today’s biggest global challenges.
Scholarship winners will participate in 12-week all-virtual programs focusing on emerging and critical STEM skills and fields, global competence education, and social impact (co-developed with the University of Pennsylvania). Scholars will enrich their STEM knowledge and skills through an interactive, hands-on curriculum, while developing critical global competencies, including problem-solving, analytical skills, intercultural understanding, and the ability to build bridges across cultures.
Submission deadline: March 15, 2023.
Eureka announces Globalstars Call for Projects
The national funding bodies from Kenya, Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Estonia, France, Finland, South Africa, and Spain have allocated funding for organizations collaborating on international R&D projects within all technology fields. The participating countries especially hope to receive applications in the fields of sustainability or health.
Funding Information:
Kenya: The total amount available for this call is 595,000 euros. Each project will be funded up to a maximum of 85,000 euros. Funding will be made available for a maximum of 3 years.
Estonia: Maximum amount of grant is 300,000 euros per project.
Finland: Main information for the French partners: SMEs and midcap up to 2000 FTE can apply for a repayable advance or a loan up to 3 million euros per company per project, in the limit of their own equity. French universities can only join as a subcontractor or on a self-funded basis, as additional partners.
South Africa: South Africa, through the Department of Science and Innovation will allocate a budget of 600,000 euros for the call. The total budget for each project will be maximum funding of between 150,000 and 200,000 euros per project.
Spain: Main features of the funding for Spanish partners are: Soft loan of up to 85% of eligible costs (Euribor 1 year interest fee) Minimum budget of 175,000 euros (no maximum budget). Long recovery period (10 or 15 years) where 24.75% of the eligible costs do not have to be repaid.
Submission deadline: April 30, 2023.
Asia-Pacific
Vietnam Innovation Challenge is a program chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and organized by the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and Meta.
The program is an annual activity within the framework of InnovateVN initiated by NIC, accompanied by partners who are leading technology corporations, in order to seek innovative solutions from domestic and international organizations/individuals to tackle key national challenges, working towards prosperous and sustainable development for Vietnam.
Benefits:
Technical support from international development organizations;
Promote images and brands on different advertising platforms from Meta, Goldsun Media Group, etc;
Receive prizes up to 300,000 USD, the Grand Prize is worth up to 50,000 USD.
Submission deadline: March 31, 2023.
Call for Proposals: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
USTDA supports IPEF, including its focus on trade, supply chains, and the clean economy, through our project preparation and partnership-building activities in IPEF member countries.
USTDA supports large-scale infrastructure projects. While there is no formal minimum or maximum for project size, projects generally are in the US$20 million – $250 million capital expenditure range. Initial proposals shall describe the anticipated size of the project.
Submission deadline: March 1, 2023.
Public Diplomacy Grants Program – Samoa
The U.S. Embassy Apia, Samoa Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Grants Program.
Priority:
Building Understanding: Programs that seek to explain U.S. policies, culture, and values to Samoan audiences resulting in a positive impact on the bilateral relationship.
A Greener Future: Programs that support or promote environmental issues such as, but not limited to: climate change mitigation, food security, biodiversity sustainability, blue/green technology, and youth engagement.
Partners in a Safer World: Programs that support or promote regional issues such as, but are not limited to regional security, cybersecurity, non-proliferation, combatting trans-national crime, responding to global health crises, mis- and disinformation, multilateral cooperation, enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region, human rights, and a rules-based order.
Economic Development Connections: Programs that support or promote economic connections such as, but not limited to COVID economic recovery, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the digital economy, trade diversification and innovation, and regional economic stability and security.
Connecting the Values: Programs that support or promote cross-cultural connections such as but are not limited to promoting diversity, equality, inclusion, and accessibility, supporting underrepresented communities, promoting human rights, supporting shared democratic values, education and exchange opportunities, and combatting mis- and disinformation.
Funding Information:
Length of performance period: Up to 24 months
Number of awards anticipated: The number of awards issued will be dependent on the requested amounts for funding
Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $500.00 to a maximum of $25,000.00
Submission deadline: May 1, 2023.
Europe
First Innovation Small Call for the BP2023-2025
The Innovation Small Calls is a new pilot mechanism for EIT Urban Mobility in 2023. Around 600K€ has been allocated to the Small Call’s mechanism. Given the small calls, the process is a pilot mechanism, awardees will be closely monitored through the implementation process until the successful closure of their project by 31 December 2023. Additionally, support will be given to the management of specific EIT processes and reporting procedures linked to the new mechanism.
Each entity awardee will receive a total EIT contribution of the 70% of the total project budget, with a maximum amount of 59,500 € per project. The wider goal of the pilot mechanism is to provide new pathways into wider cooperation with the EIT Urban Mobility ecosystem and create new partnerships with lighter-touch procedures and processes.
Submission deadline: March 25, 2023.
Deep Tech Award 2023 (Germany)
The Deep Tech Award is the annual highlight of the information and communications technology calendar in Berlin. Launched in 2015 by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises, the award honors outstanding achievements by companies and start-ups based in Berlin.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) co-funds the Deep Tech Award. It commends market-ready software or hardware solutions and products that are distinguished by a high degree of innovation and great promise.
Benefits:
The competition is endowed with a total of up to 50,000 euros in prize money (financed by funds from the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises as well as funds from the EU/ ERDF).
A “Deep Tech Star” and 10,000 euros will be awarded for each of the five Deep Tech categories.
Submission deadline: April 23, 2023.
Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship Program for Emerging Entrepreneurs
The YTILI Fellows Program is a two-way exchange program designed to strengthen the transatlantic relationship, develop sustainable partnerships between U.S. and European entrepreneurs and innovators, promote regional integration and cooperation in Europe, and encourage European businesses, governments, and civil society to develop their innovation ecosystems.
The program includes a customized virtual YTILI entrepreneurial curriculum; a fellowship with a business or organization in one of nine U.S. cities; opening and closing conferences; and alumni engagement opportunities. The 2024 YTILI Fellowship Program will begin with the virtual curriculum in the Winter of 2024 with the U.S. fellowship scheduled for the Spring of 2024.
Submission deadline: March 24, 2023.
The EIT Community Presents the New European Bauhaus Booster 2.0
Launched by the European Commission, the New European Bauhaus translates the European Green Deal into a tangible, positive experience in which all Europeans can participate and progress together.
To help foster the New European Bauhaus transformation, the EIT Community members including EIT Digital, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT Urban Mobility are offering support to the most innovative ventures that are driving sustainable change for cities, industries, climate, food, wellbeing and overall quality of life.
The 20 best companies will receive support services worth a total of 1 million euros. Ventures accepted into the program will benefit from a 10,000 EUR grant and 40,000 EUR worth of active support in the form of workshops and events designed to address the following areas:
Business Model Assessment
Marketing & Branding
Go-To-Market Strategy
Funding Strategy
Networking
GAP Analysis
Communications
Financial Modelling
Pitch Training
Leadership Coaching
Submission deadline: March 13, 2023.
Open Call for Media Blend Hackathon Programme: Kick-off grants of €5,000
Media Blend is a three-day offline event in Vienna gathering media professionals and innovators from around Europe. Anyone interested can apply within a team or alone (and we will find a team to match your ideas).
The chosen format, a hackathon, ensures 72 hours of creative problem-solving through collaboration between experts and media professionals followed by a pitching session of workable solutions to a problem.
Benefits:
Ideation support before the event;
Mentorship support for product development; business, action, promo-plan creation; and presentation of the project;
Kick-off grants of €5,000 to support project ideas based on Hackathon competition results;
Networking opportunity with the most innovative media startups from all over Europe.
Submission deadline: March 17, 2023.
Middle East and Africa
Call for Fellowships: Research into Online Gender-Based Harassment
Code for Africa (CfA) in partnership with Jigsaw, is offering research grants and technical support for evidence-driven analysis into how malign actors coordinate harassment and complaints against African women journalists and fact-checkers across 21 African countries.
The countries covered in this program are Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
The research fellowships come with a financial stipend, along with access to CfA’s in-house research desk, as well as forensic analysts, data scientists and open source intelligence (OSINT) researchers, and machine learning tools for social listening or data/network analysis.
Submission deadline: Ongoing.
Call for Proposals: Living Labs Pilot Programme in South Africa
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) are calling for the submission of funding applications for the extension of the Living Labs Pilot Programme for community-based rural Living Labs in marginalized communities of the following provinces in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Grant funding up to a maximum of R2,5m for developing a new Living Lab/Replicating a successful Living Lab and up to R1,5m for expansion of an existing Living Lab through launching an innovation support program.
Submission deadline: February 28, 2023.
Call for Proposals: Grassroots Innovators in the Zululand District (South Africa)
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is calling for applications from grassroots innovators looking for funding, technical assistance, and support for developing a new product or process up to prototype and proof of concept stage.
Support Package on Offer:
Intellectual Property Registration
Industry compliance and certification
Product and technical development expertise, design prototyping infrastructure & hard/software materials
Production of a prototype
Business development training and support
Networking, mentorship, and market access activities
Submission deadline: March 31, 2023.
Americas
SSRC: Data Fluencies Dissertation Grants Program
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) invites proposals from across the social and behavioral sciences, humanities, data sciences, and related fields for a dissertation research grant competition as part of the Data Fluencies Project. They seek to support projects that mobilize new knowledge and aim to foster more just and equitable futures. Possible topics of interest include:
mis- and disinformation online
algorithms and social justice
information integrity
public-interest technology
digital culture
big data governance and accountability
The Data Fluencies Dissertation Grant is open to Ph.D. students who are actively enrolled in doctoral programs in the United States and Canada—regardless of citizenship. Applicants to the program should have completed all Ph.D. coursework and reached “all-but-dissertation” (ABD) status by the beginning of the grant term.
Funding Information:
Five dissertation projects will be awarded for up to $15,000 per award.
Maximum one-page timeline of activities. Research schedule (between six and 12 months).
Submission deadline: March 15, 2023.