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Archive for the ‘Funding’ Category:
Community and Solidarity: Grant Proposals and Award Nominations
The Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation (PKF) promotes the empowerment and well being of disadvantaged human communities. By strengthening intra and inter-community solidarity the Foundation strives to improve local capacities, promote the respect of human rights and sustain cultural and biological diversity. The Foundation was created in Switzerland in March 2006. It has an international Board of Directors including six members. Since December 2009, the Foundation has supported eleven initiatives and honored seven laureates of the PKF Award.
The deadline for submissions of PKF grant proposals and/or PKF Award nominations for 2010 is 28 February 2010. All projects supported by the Foundation deal with two main issues: community and solidarity. For more information, please consult “Views – Ideas.”
All submissions must be made by a Nominator and not directly. Thus, if interested please contact the Platform for Agrobiodiversity Secretariat for further details to develop and submit proposals. The Nominators do not write the grant proposals, instead they just receive them, evaluate them and pass them on. For the PKF Award, however, it is a different story. In these cases, the Nominators fill the form(s) themselves, and not informing the nominees, and simply direct the form(s) to the Board.
The projects may concern less favoured communities and engage them in a process of solidarity to improve their living conditions, their environment and their rights. They may also attack the social conditions which bring about or perpetuate the lack of solidarity within or between communities. Or again, these projects may concern “non-material” communities centered with solidarity around defending a common good or issue, if this action is relevant to the Foundation’s objectives.
Website for green grants
Information about grants for agriculture and environment projects is fragmented. An internet search often yields incomplete results, even after you spend hours or even days at the computer. Printed and online directories of grant makers are available, but many have to be purchased, and often at a substantial cost. This is where Terra Viva Grants comes in:
Terra Viva Grants is not a grant giving organization; instead, it develops and manages information about grants for agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in the world’s developing countries. On the website, it provides profiles of over 300 grantmakers for the “green” sectors of the developing world and provides information about application deadlines, new and changed grants programs, and other funding news.
For information about green grants for developing countries, visit http://www.terravivagrants.org. To subscribe to a periodic news mailout, contact Terra Viva Grants at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value
The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value will be awarded every other year to an individual, a non-governmental organization (NGO), or a business for developing an outstanding innovation that:
- has proven its worth on a small-scale;
- is judged to be feasible and applicable on a broader scale or in other communities; and
- has high promise of improving rural development, improving nutrition, improving access to clean water, or having a significant impact on water management.
Unlike other “one-time” prizes, awards or honours, the Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value will commit to the Prize Laureate an investment of up to CHF 500,000 for a specified period of time to assist in the development of the innovation to bring it to scale. That’s what makes the Nestlé Prize unique – a financial commitment that may continue for several years to ensure success.
In addition to helping us meet our long-standing commitment to create value in the communities that we operate, the establishment of the Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is consistent with Nestlé’s commitment to the advancement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and the UN Global Compact Principles.
The first Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value will be awarded in April 2010. To nominate an individual, an NGO, or a small enterprise for an outstanding innovation in water, nutrition or rural development, please read the Official Rules and use the Nomination Form available on the website: http://www.nestle.com/CSV/CSVatNestle/CsvPrize. A document with Frequently Asked Questions (pdf, 41 kb) about the Nestlé CSV Prize is also available.
Entries will be judged by the Nestle Prize Screening Committee, which will come up with a list of five finalists, based on the selection criteria. The Advisory Board on Creating Shared Value makes a final decision on the Laureate on the recommendation of the Screening Committee.
Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship – 2010 Call for Research Proposals
Bioversity International is pleased to announce the 2010 Call for Research Proposals for the Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship. You can find all the relevant information (announcement, application form and guidelines) here.
The Vavilov-Frankel Fellowships Fund aims to encourage the conservation and use of plant genetic resources in developing countries by awarding Fellowships to outstanding young researchers to carry out relevant innovative research at an advanced research institute outside their own country for a period of three months to one year.
2010 St Andrews Prize for the Environment
Deadline for Entries 31 October 2009
$125,000 US DOLLARS IN CASH PRIZES
Applications are invited from individuals, multi-disciplinary teams or community groups for the 2010 annual prize, consisting of an award of $75,000 USD for the winner and $25,000 USD for each of the two runners-up.
Aimed at helping ordinary people find solutions to environmental problems, the Prize was launched 11 years ago and is recognized as a prestigious international initiative by the University of St Andrews, Scotland and ConocoPhillips, one of the world’s leading energy companies, attracting entries from around the world. The focus is on environmental initiatives, but of course the most innovative and important usually come with gains to people in their locality.
Are you doing something for the environment? The 2010 St Andrews Prize for the Environment is open to entrants from anywhere in the world. The winner will receive $75,000 USD and two runners-up will each receive $25,000 USD. More information can be found on:www.thestandrewsprize.com
PhD Scholarship in Plant Breeding
The African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) at the University of KwaZulu – Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa offers this prestigious scholarship to young African Scientists’ who are keen to make Plant Breeding their career. The aim of the ACCI is to train African plant breeders, in Africa, on African crops. This involves 2 years of academic studies at the University of KwaZulu – Natal and 3 years of field research in the student home countries, at their home institution. The crops our students breed are food security crop: Cereals, roots and tubers and legumes.
Elegibilty: Applicants must
- Be under 40 years of age.
- Possess an MSc in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Plant Pathology, Crop Science or Horticultural Science or equivalent degree.
- Have a position in their home country as an agricultural research scientist in a national agricultural research institution or NGO, or as a University lecturer.
- Be from one of the following countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi or South Africa.
Application procedures: We are calling for applications, in the form of
- A CV containing clear contact details, including academic record.
- 3 references, one of whom should be the MSc supervisor.
- A letter of motivation, including notes on the applicants interest areas in plant breeding.
Successful candidates would be eligible to begin their studies in January 2010. Applications to be sent to Mrs L Mbhele email hidden; JavaScript is required
For more information on this scholarship, please visit the website:
The African Center for Crop Improvement (www.acci.org.za)
The closing date for application is September 30, 2009.
Hellen A. Ochieng, Training Officer
International Centre for Research in Agroforestry
United Nations Avenue
P.O. Box 30677-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Tel: 254-20-7224218 (Direct)
Training unit: www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/Training/
International Doctoral Scholarships in Agrobiodiversity
The PhD Programme in Agrobiodiversity of the “Scuola Superiore Sant’ Anna” is aimed at the enhancement of human resource capacities in the use and management of genetic variation in agricultural and natural systems, in order to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems and the conservation of genetic resources for the well-being of present and future generations.
The Programme is structured in the following curricula:
Curriculum A – Plant genetic resources: teaching and research activities take place in ENEA Research Center at “La Casaccia”, a few kilometres from Rome;
Curriculum B – Functional biodiversity in agroecosystems : teaching and research activities take place in Pisa, at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies.
Admission Requirements
- possession of a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree or equivalent title in Experimental Sciences, at an Italian or foreign university and ssession of a Degree awarded after, at least, a four-year course in Experimental Sciences;
- to be younger than 35 years (date of birth after 15 July 1974), older than 35 may be exceptionally admitted by the Admission Committee.
Positions and grants
6 positions with 6 fellowships (the net amount is € 12.500, all inclusive):
the first 4 (four) eligible candidates of Curriculum A and the first 2 (two) eligible candidates of Curriculum B will be awarded a scholarship. The School may also admit eligible candidates up to a maximum number of 2 positions.
Deadlines
applications must be submitted on line by July 15, 2009, 12 pm GMT at www.sssup.it/phdapplicationonline
a hardcopy of the application (signed by the candidate), together with the enclosures requested, must reach by July 30, 2009:
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna
Divisione Formazione Universitaria e alla Ricerca
Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33
56127 PISA, Italy
More information: www.sssup.it/ …
Research and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities
- Lindbergh Foundation
www.lindberghfoundation.org/application-form/2.html - Rothamsted International – African Fellows Programme (AFP)
www.rothamsted-international.org/afp/index.shtml
www.rothamsted-international.org/afp/applying.shtml - UNESCO-L’OREAL Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme for Young Women in Life Sciences.
portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=44170&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html - The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Long-Term Fellowships.
www.embo.org/programmes/fellowships/long-term.html
www.embo.org/programmes/fellowships.html - The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Short-Term Fellowships.
www.embo.org/fellowships/short_term.html - National Science Foundation: Africa, Near East & South Asia (ANESA) Regional Opportunities.
www.nsf.gov/od/oise/anesa.jsp - The Netherlands Fellowship Programs (NFP)
www.nuffic.nl/nfp - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/Welcome.html - Graduate Student Scholarships for International Students (Supported by Chinese Government Scholarship Program)
oir.cau.edu.cn/upload/2008_05_04_17_08_5639747706.doc - The Pioneer–GCP Graduate Fellowship in plant breeding and genetics: applications invited.
www.generationcp.org/latestnews.php?i=1450 - Calling MSc graduates interested in a PhD Scholarship in Plant Breeding.
www.acci.org.za - SEARCA Graduate Scholarship for MS/PhD
www.searca.org/web/scholarship/regular_scholarships/degree/index.html - The Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS)
twows.ictp.it/activities/postgraduate-training-fellowships-for-women-scientists-in-sub-saharan-africa-and-least-developed-countries-ldc-at-centres-of-excellence-in-the-south - SEARCA PhD Research Scholarship
www.searca.org/web/scholarship/regular_scholarships/phdresearch.html - Research Fellow Partnership Programme (RFPP)
www.rfpp.ethz.ch - Monsanto Fellows in Plant Breeding Fund
www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4372.html - Australian Government’s Overseas Aid Program (AusAID): Australian Development Scholarships
www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/studyin.cfm
The file general-research-and-postdoctoral-fellowship-opportunities.pdf provides more details on all the fellowship opportunities.
Government of Denmark & UNESCO’s Frontlines Forum is funding local projects on climate change impacts and adaptation
With assistance from the Government of Denmark, the Frontlines Forum is now calling for community-level projects focusing on local experiences with climate change impacts and adaptation.
Background
Despite broad recognition that small island, Arctic, high altitude and other vulnerable communities are on the frontlines of climate change, community voices have remained on the margins of global climate change debates. It is these voices, however, that most need to be heard. They provide first hand evidence, experience and expertise on climate change impacts and adaptation.
In response to this concern, the global internet forum On the Frontlines of Climate Change was launched in June 2008 by UNESCO, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights.
The goals of the Frontlines Forum are to:
- Draw international attention to the knowledge and experiences of indigenous communities and peoples living in small island, Arctic, montane, desert margin and other vulnerable environments;
- Seek community-level observations on climate change impacts, as well as local efforts to cope with and adapt to these changes;
- Provide an opportunity for communities to voice their observations, experiences and concerns, and to share and exchange them with other communities;
- Build up a global database of local observations, experiences, practices and coping strategies;
- Support community-level research and educational activities related to climate change, highlighting the role of local knowledge, practices and coping strategies;
- Heighten the profile of local and indigenous peoples in international climate change debates, to build recognition of their unique knowledge and expertise.
The International Foundation for Science – Call for Grant applications
The International Foundation for Science (IFS) is looking for young scientists in developing countries for IFS Research Grants to do research on the sustainable management, use, or conservation of biological or water resources. This broad statement covers natural science and social science research on agriculture, soils, animal production, food science, forestry, agroforestry, aquatic resources, natural products, water resources, etc. Applications are accepted all year and are to be made on an IFS Application Form.
Closing Date: Until filled
The full guidelines, eligibility criteria, and instructions to apply are available here: www.ifs.se/Programme/granting_programme.asp