Funding Saturday...
Develop Impact - Issue 168
Happy Friday Saturday!
I hope this email finds you well. I apologize for the delay in sending out this week's edition of Funding Friday, but hopefully you can enjoy it on your Saturday morning!
The team at Glean Asia has compiled a list of thirteen new funding opportunities from around the globe that are open to individuals and organizations working on innovative solutions to address pressing challenges. We believe these opportunities can help you take your projects to the next level and make an even greater impact.
As always, we are eager to hear about your news, projects, and updates that you'd like to share with the community. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know what you've been up to!
We wish you a productive weekend ahead and hope you find these funding opportunities useful.
Have a great week!
Jesse
What’s funding this week…
Global
UNICEF Venture Fund: Frontier Tech Solutions
Due Date: July 28, 2023
Summary: The UNICEF Venture Fund seeks to invest up to $100,000 in equity-free funding for early-stage (seed) for-profit start-ups developing frontier technology solutions that can positively impact the lives of vulnerable children and youth worldwide. Eligible products must be registered in one of UNICEF's program countries, have a working prototype, demonstrate results, and be (or potentially be) open-source licensed.
Application: Apply by the submission deadline.
Apply: https://www.unicefinnovationfund.org/apply/frontier-tech-solutions
Global Cultural Relations Programme 2023
Due Date: May 28, 2023
The Global Cultural Relations Programme (GCRP) invites professionals from the cultural and creative sectors, as well as those working in climate change and environmental issues, to apply for their 2023 training programme. The GCRP aims to foster interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations, providing participants the opportunity to develop lifelong skills, expand their knowledge, and build international networks. The programme will take place in Madrid, Spain, from October 10-13, 2023.
Apply for the Global Cultural Relations Programme 2023
Water and Energy for Food Open Calls for Innovations
The Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) Grand Challenge has launched Open Call for Innovations (O-CFI) in the Middle East and North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Southern and Central Africa. These O-CFIs aim to foster innovations that enhance food security, water security, renewable energy usage, and sustainable water usage in their respective regions. Awarded innovators will receive support in the form of technical assistance, investment facilitation, enabling ecosystem support, and grants, which they must match by at least 100%. Awards vary depending on the region, with amounts up to $250,000 for the Middle East and North Africa, and up to $200,000 for South and Southeast Asia and Southern and Central Africa.
GBIF Graduate Researchers Award 2023
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) has opened applications for its Graduate Researchers Award 2023, aiming to encourage and recognize innovative research and discoveries in biodiversity informatics carried out by graduate students using GBIF data. The 2023 program will offer two prizes worth €5,000, rewarding the work of two early-career researchers, preferably a master's candidate and a PhD student, who receive official nominations from heads of delegation or managers of communication nodes from GBIF participating countries.
GBIF Graduate Researchers Award 2023
Changemakers for the Planet Programme 2023
Applications are open for the Changemakers for the Planet Programme 2023 for Latin America & Sub-Saharan Africa. The program connects, supports, and amplifies the work and voices of hundreds of young changemakers, activists, and innovators addressing the planetary crisis. The program includes a summit, capacity building and collaborative funding, and community membership in the global ChangemakerXchange community.
Program Details:
Summit: The program starts with an in-person summit convening 25 participants for an intensive 5 days in a beautiful location in nature, designed to forge deep connections, foster wellbeing, and enable peer learning and meaningful collaborations.
Capacity Building & Collaborative Funding: Participants get access to offerings and platforms by partners, including learning exchange grants, fundraising trainings, and strategic support from advisors and mentors.
Community: Participants become lifelong members of the global ChangemakerXchange community, with access to resources and regular opportunities to connect, learn, and co-create.
Application:
Latin American Program: Summit from September 11 – 15, 2023, followed by funding opportunities for collaboration among participants.
Sub-Saharan African Program: Summit from September 18 – 23, 2023, followed by funding opportunities for collaboration among participants.
Apply: Changemakers for the Planet Programme 2023
Strengthening Communities/Improving Lives and Livelihoods (SCILLS) Grant Program 2023
The SCILLS Grant Program aims to support digital transformation by helping underserved and unserved communities in target countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, and Senegal) leverage the Internet for economic inclusion and educational opportunities. Projects should focus on either Economic Inclusion or Educational Opportunities and align with ISOC's and the Foundation's purposes.
Funding: Grants of up to $250,000 USD for projects lasting 24 months (2 years).
Apply: https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/scills-grant-programme/
Asia-Pacific
Call for Proposals: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for advocacy on the protection of human and economic rights of female sex workers in Bangladesh
Due Date: May 22, 2023
Summary: The purpose of the assignment is for a CSO or coalition of partners to support female sex workers in Bangladesh, strengthening their voice and agency through advocacy with duty bearers for enhancing access to alternative livelihood options and other essential services.
Budget Range: Minimum $15,000 - Maximum $20,000 USD
Apply: UN Women Asia Pacific - Call for Proposals
Malaysia Digital Catalyst Grant (MDCG)
MDCG is a grant program designed to catalyze the use and development of disruptive and innovative sustainable solutions within Malaysia Digital (MD) promoted sectors that align with the National 4th IR (Industrial Revolution) policy.
Objectives:
Encourage the development of disruptive and innovative sustainable solutions within Malaysia Digital promoted sectors.
Facilitate co-creation, problem-solving, development, and commercialization of innovative solutions with an end-user partner.
Increase productivity, product/service quality, and business efficiency within Malaysia Digital promoted sectors.
Grant Details:
Recipients can receive a grant of up to RM 1,000,000 (approximately $240,000 USD).
The grant is intended for the co-creation, development, and commercialization of innovative solutions with an end-user partner.
Deadline: June 1, 2023
Link: Malaysia Digital Catalyst Grant (MDCG) Information
Africa
BRICS Young Innovators Prize Competition 2023
Due Date: May 26, 2023
Applications are open for the BRICS Young Innovators Prize Competition 2023. This prize recognizes young talented entrepreneurs and researchers with outstanding innovations (inventions, products, applications, and services) that will have a profound impact on the socio-economic, environment, and condition of life in BRICS societies. The competition is an important stage for BRICS youth to display their innovation talents and strengthen exchanges and cooperation. The winner will be determined through contests among youths from BRICS countries. The 6th BRICS Young Innovator Prize will be convened in-person as part of the 7th BRICS Young Scientist Forum, held from July 31 to August 3, 2023, in South Africa.
Application: All applications must be submitted by email to brics@tia.org.za by the due date, with all supporting documents as per the application template.
Apply: BRICS Young Innovators Prize Competition 2023
2nd SESA Call for Entrepreneurs 2023
Due Date: June 25, 2023, at 23:59 CET (Brussels)
Siemens Stiftung, on behalf of the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) consortium, invites local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tanzania to apply for the "2nd SESA Call for Entrepreneurs 2023." The call seeks entrepreneurs with expertise in addressing Africa's energy access challenges, focusing on rural and off-grid communities. Selected technologies tested by SESA partners present promising opportunities to scale up by local entrepreneurs in the four countries. Domains include solar irrigation technologies in rural communities, waste-to-energy solutions for clean cooking, and solar cold chain technologies for peri-urban and rural communities.
Award: Each selected enterprise will receive between €50,000 to €100,000 for the design, implementation, and evaluation of submitted replication projects via service agreements. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the SESA Incubator Programme run by SESA partner Smart Innovation Norway (SIN), which includes mentorship, coaching, and access to networks of industry experts and potential investors.
Link: 2nd SESA Call for Entrepreneurs 2023
African Fact-Checking Awards 2023
Due Date: June 30, 2023, at midnight GMT
The African Fact-Checking Awards, in their tenth year, honor fact-checking journalism by the media in Africa. The awards have three categories: Fact-Check of the Year by a Working Journalist, Fact-Check of the Year by a Professional Fact-Checker, and Fact-Check of the Year by a Student Journalist.
Award:
Winners of the Working Journalist and Professional Fact-Checker categories will each receive US$3,000, while runners-up will receive US$1,500.
The winner of the Student Journalist category will be awarded US$2,000, and the runner-up US$1,000.
Apply: African Fact-Checking Awards 2023
IFAD Agrihub Nigeria Youth Agripreneurship Apprentice Program 2023
Due Date: May 2, 2023
Summary: The IFAD Agrihub Nigeria project aims to develop the skills of unemployed Nigerian youth and aspiring agripreneurs to become self-employed or secure employment in agriculture. The project, in partnership with BIC Farms Concepts, offers a curriculum on Soilless vegetable farming for youth, which includes classroom teaching, practical learning in the field, and internships.
Application: Submit your application by the deadline.
Apply: Apply for Olericulture Training - Abeokuta
2nd Call for Proposals – AGriDI: Accelerating Inclusive Green Growth Through Agri-Based Digital Innovation in West Africa
Deadline: May 31, 2023
Summary: AGriDI supports innovations addressing challenges related to climate change, sustainable use and management of biodiversity, and responsible production and consumption among farming communities in West Africa. The program aims to strengthen innovation systems and foster the adoption of agri-based digital technologies in the region. It focuses on increasing the identification, adaptation, and use of agri-based digital technologies by farmers and SMEs, particularly women and youth, to enhance agricultural production and marketing.