Funding Friday...
Funding Friday...
10 new #techforgood funding opportunities inside!
Happy Friday!
I hope you're all doing well! I’m back again, bringing you our latest finds from the world of innovation and impact. This week, we've got a mix of some truly exciting opportunities, here are a few highlights:
🔬 Responsible Computing Challenge India 2023-24 by Mozilla: Aiming to reshape the education of upcoming technologists by integrating responsible computing into undergraduate courses. Learn more
🌾 International Year of Millets Photo Contest by FAO: A chance for photographers to highlight the benefits and importance of millets in various themes, from climate resilience to innovative uses. Learn more
🌏 Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network Flagship Research Study by Stockholm Environment Institute: An initiative to fund research projects that focus on various aspects of the Mekong region. Learn more
📢 Public Acceleration Challenge Fund, USAID Civil Society and Media Activity by The Asia Foundation: Supporting independent civil society and media in Nepal to promote public interest and accountability. Learn more
Whether you're looking to make a difference in your corner of the world or on a global scale, I genuinely believe there's something here that might just resonate with you.
As always, if you want to share anything with this community, please let me know!
Have a great weekend,
Jesse
What’s funding this week…
Global
🔬 Build Accelerator - AWS Startups
📝 The Build Accelerator is a 10-week virtual program offered by AWS Startups, designed specifically for pre-MVP founders. The program provides the necessary training and support to help these founders launch their startups to the market. Participants can benefit from:
AWS Activate Credits: Qualifying startups in the program receive $2,000 in AWS Activate credits, which can be used to access AWS services.
Training & Technology: The program offers virtual and self-paced programming, live sessions, and access to the AWS tech stack, which powers many innovative businesses globally.
Community Access: Participants can gain business and technology insights and benefit from peer support, which continues even after the program's conclusion.
Application Timeline:
Applications Open: August 8 - September 22
Cohort Announcement: October
Program Duration: October 9 - December 15
For those interested, the application process is currently open, and the program schedule includes a kick-off week for virtual onboarding, several weeks of virtual sessions, and a culmination week for virtual offboarding.
🔗 Build Accelerator - AWS Startups
Asia-Pacific
🔬 Research and Innovation for Development in ASEAN (RIDA) - GOV.UK
📝 The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is offering Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding to support collaboration between researchers and innovators addressing regional priorities in Southeast Asia, specifically in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries. The initiative encourages applications from institutions based in Southeast Asia that combine various disciplines, innovation, and fresh perspectives to creatively tackle development challenges, aligning with the UK-ASEAN Plan of Action 2022 to 2026. The funding's objective is to bolster new and existing institutional partnerships in science, technology, and innovation, focusing on regional priorities like health, climate adaptation, resilience, energy transition, and agriculture. Eligible countries for this opportunity include Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Projects should aim to improve conditions for the poorest and most vulnerable in these countries, have a clear impact strategy, and address the unmet needs and priorities of the ODA-eligible nations. Interested parties can email Rizky.Januar@fcdo.gov.uk for an application pack and to attend the Early Market Engagement online event on 11 August 2023 at 10 am BST. The application deadline is 11:59 pm BST on 8 September 2023.
🔗 Research and Innovation for Development in ASEAN (RIDA) - GOV.UK
🔬 Enhancing Resilience of the most vulnerable segment of the population, including MSMEs, towards an Inclusive Digital Economy in 11 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) - UNCDF
📝 The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is offering a funding opportunity to enhance the resilience of the most vulnerable populations, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in the Pacific region. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and empower these groups through digital and financial literacy and capacity building. The focus is on 11 Pacific Island Countries, including Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The goal is to ensure that the targeted audience, whether in the informal or formal sectors, have a better understanding of digital and financial literacy to improve their growth in the digital and financial space through tailored training courses and innovative initiatives. UNCDF's contributions can range from $60,000 to $100,000, and they aim to award between 5 to 8 applications based on the investment readiness level and outreach potential of the proposed solution. Grant amounts could be larger for ongoing initiatives ready to scale. Selected applicants are expected to share at least 25% of the total project costs.
Applications must be submitted by 23.59 hours EDT (New York Time) on 11th of September 2023 through the UNCDF e-investment platform.
🔬 Responsible Computing Challenge India 2023-24 - Mozilla
📝 Mozilla, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched the Responsible Computing Challenge - India (RCC). This initiative aims to fund academic teams from diverse fields, including Computing, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Policy, and Social Sciences, to reshape the education of the upcoming generation of technologists.
Key Features:
Objective: To integrate responsible computing into undergraduate courses across various disciplines.
Funding: Up to $25,000 (INR 2,000,000) is offered to institutions for a year to support the development and piloting of interdisciplinary approaches.
Eligibility: Open to higher education institutions under the Ministry of Education of the Government of India or accredited by UGC, AICTE, or Bar Council. The institution should be compliant with the FCRA Act to receive foreign contributions.
🔗 Responsible Computing Challenge India 2023-24 - Mozilla
🔬 Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network Flagship Research Study: Call for Applications - Stockholm Environment Institute
📝 The Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network Program (MTT) is inviting applications for its flagship research studies. The program aims to award up to 4 grants during its implementation phase.
Funding: The funding support for each research project will not exceed AUD 250,000 (~USD 163,000).
Duration: Each research project should be completed within 1.5 years (18 months) from the contract signing or the agreed-upon start date.
Application Requirements: Applicants should prepare the following:
Completed Application Form (template provided).
CVs of the Lead Applicant representative (Project Leader).
CVs of key experts/persons from Consortium Members.
Letters of support from target users of the research or boundary partners (not compulsory but advantageous).
The application process is currently open, and interested parties can access the full call document and template for more details.
🔬 Public Acceleration Challenge Fund, USAID Civil Society and Media Activity - The Asia Foundation
📝 The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with USAID, has initiated the Civil Society and Media (CSM) Activity, a five-year program (2022-2027) in Nepal. The program supports independent civil society and media led by women, youth, and marginalized communities to promote public interest, fundamental freedoms, and accountability. The primary focus of the activities will be on Lumbini and Madhesh Provinces, with some being implemented in Kathmandu. Qualified civil society organizations (CSOs) are invited to apply for the Public Acceleration Challenge Fund.
Key Details:
Location: Nepal
Program Area: Good Governance
Deadline: August 25, 2023, 5 PM UTC+5:45.
For more information and to apply, interested parties can download the full request for proposal.
🔗 Public Acceleration Challenge Fund, USAID Civil Society and Media Activity - The Asia Foundation
Africa
🔬 Rethinking e-mobility in Africa - Rethinking Transport Lab
📝 The Rethinking Transport Lab, scheduled for November 6-10th, 2023, is focusing on the topic of electric mobility in Africa and will be held in an East African country (to be confirmed). The initiative is aimed at young African professionals passionate about e-mobility. Eligible participants should:
Be citizens and residents of an African country.
Hold a university degree in fields like transportation, renewable energy, urban planning, civil engineering, development studies, environmental management, political/social sciences, or similar.
Have 2 to 5 years of experience in areas such as electric vehicle technology, renewable energy, policy development, transport planning, etc.
Be proficient in English.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable transportation, innovative thinking, and effective collaboration in diverse teams.
The lab seeks to address the moderate levels of digital and financial literacy observed in Pacific Islanders and aims to bridge the digital divide, especially in the uptake of digital financial services. UNCDF is inviting applications from various entities that can offer innovative solutions for enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations and MSMEs in the digital economy.
Interested participants can apply by August 20, 11:59 pm GMT. For further details or inquiries, individuals can contact rethinking.transport@giz.de.
🔗 Rethinking e-mobility in Africa - Rethinking Transport Lab
🔬 Gen F Entrepreneur In Residence Studio - Founders Factory Africa
📝 Founders Factory Africa presents the Gen F Entrepreneur In Residence Studio, a unique initiative designed to turn startup concepts into reality within a span of 12 weeks. This Venture Design Studio offers a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to validate their startup ideas with the support of experts and funding.
Key Features:
Duration: A 12-week sprint with Founders Factory Africa's Venture Design Studio.
Funding: Participants receive a $5,000 test and learn budget to validate their ideas. Upon internal approval, they can secure up to $250,000 in investment.
Support: Founders receive a monthly stipend, an experimentation budget, and access to a team of experts to test and launch their idea. They also get the opportunity to pitch for further funding.
Who Can Apply?:
Aspiring founders with a background suitable for building a VC-backed startup.
Individuals transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurs passionate about addressing African challenges with tech solutions.
Founders at the earliest stages of their startup journey (pre-revenue).
Application Process:
Applications are open on a rolling basis, meaning they are always accepted.
The process includes an application form, an exploratory chat, and a panel interview.
For those interested in this unique opportunity, applications are currently open.
🔗 Gen F Entrepreneur In Residence Studio - Founders Factory Africa
🔬 Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
📝 The Mastercard Foundation is partnering with African Tech Hubs to support and scale African EdTech startups. The initiative aims to enhance education for underserved communities.
Highlights:
Support for over 400 EdTech companies by 2025.
Funding and holistic business support provided.
Application deadline: August 27, 2023.
🔗 Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
🔬 International Year of Millets Photo Contest - FAO
📝 The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is hosting a photo contest titled "Rich in heritage, full of potential" in celebration of the International Year of Millets 2023. The contest invites both professional and amateur photographers, as well as individuals passionate about millets, to share their experiences and highlight the benefits of millets.