ARD funding opportunities

A G R I C U L T U R E


ASARECA calls for Concept Notes 

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) has the following announcements for:

• Enhancing adaptive capacity of smallholders through the application of response farming innovations.  Deadline: 10 August 2012.
• Enhancing adoption of harmonised standards to drive commercialisation of root and tuber crops in eastern and central Africa.  Deadline: 10 August 2012.
• Enhancing adoption of harmonized seed policies, laws and regulations in ECA.  Deadline: 10 August 2012.
• Upscaling of new highland maize varieties in Ethiopia. Deadline:  07 September 2012.

Research on Land Grabs and Food Sovereignty in Africa

Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites proposals on the topic of the acquisition of fertile lands in Africa for outsourced food and fuel production, i.e., "land grabbing." Research working groups to address this topic are preferably multi-country, multi-disciplinary, inter-generational, and involving both men and women. The deadline for proposals is 31 August 2012.
Zoonotic Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa

The U.S. Department of State and the African Biological Safety Association announce the Sub-Saharan Africa Biosafety and Biosecurity Grant Competition. The competition will provide financial assistance for biosafety/biosecurity upgrades at biological labs in Sub-Saharan Africa, with preference given to labs focusing on zoonotic diseases. Up to five recipients will receive grants of US$10 thousand each. The application deadline is 31 August 2012.
Awards for Agricultural Research and Science in Africa

Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) announces the 2012 competition for the Impact Research and Science in Africa (IMPRESSA) Awards. The competition is open to agricultural researchers and scientists in the 29 RUFORUM member universities. Eligibility extends to individuals and teams. Nominations are due by 29 August 2012.
Call for Proposals "Open Science" 2012

The Agropolis Foundation is a French grant-making organization that supports inter-disciplinary research and higher education in agricultural sciences and sustainable development. Agropolis invites international partners to collaborate with scientists at Agropolis by means of the Foundation's fellowships and grants. The Foundation describes each type of award by purpose, eligibility criteria, level of financial support, and other details. Materials are available in French and English. The deadline for applications is 14 September 2012

FP7 Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology (KBBE) 2013 

The European Commission invites research proposals in the theme of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology. The program is open to applicants in the EU, Associated Countries, and International Cooperation Partner Countries (i.e., most developing countries). Following themes are relevant for Africa: KBBE.2013.2.3-02: Network for the transfer of knowledge on traditional foods to SMEs ; KBBE.2013.1.2-02: Legume breeding and management for sustainable agriculture as well as protein supply for food and feed ; KBBE.2013.1.2-04: Control of pests and pathogens affecting fruit crops ; KBBE.2013.1.2-05: Biological control agents in agriculture and forestry for effective pest and pathogen control ; KBBE.2013.1.3-02: Sustainable apiculture and conservation of honey bee genetic diversity. Details about the KBBE 2013 work program, eligibility criteria, etc., are included in the call announcement and its supporting documents. The closing date for proposals is 05 February 2013.

B I O D I V E R S I T Y 

Community Forest Management in Malawi

The EC will make grants to support the "Improved Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihoods Program (IFMSLP)," Phase II, a program of the government of Malawi. The program aims to improve the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities through participatory management of forests in forest reserves and on customary lands. Grants of €300 thousand to €500 thousand will be made to nonprofit organizations in the EU; EU candidate countries; countries of the European Economic Area; ACP countries (including Malawi) and Least-Developed Countries; and international organizations. Reference EuropeAid/133067/M/ACT/MW. The closing date for applications is 06 September 2012.
Fighting Desertification in Africa

L'Agence Inter-établissements de Recherche pour le Développement (AIRD) is partnering with the Pan-African Great Green Wall Agency (APGMV) and Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) to support tripartite research related to desertification in Africa. Themes are food and agriculture; management of natural resources; adaptation to climate change; and others. The geographical scope includes the countries of the African Great Green Wall: Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. Proposals are expected to be tripartite to include participation from each of Africa, France, and Brazil. The closing date for proposals is 20 October 2012.
Africa Seed Grants  

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has grants for wildlife conservation and research. The priority is for projects focusing on wildlife and habitat protection, human-wildlife conflict, sustainable environmental practices, capacity building, and conservation biology. There are no application restrictions by nationality. In both programs, the seed grants range from US$1,000 to US$3,500. The deadline for pre-proposals is 05 November 2012. Link

C L I M A T E  C H A N G E 

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)

Round 2 of the CDKN Innovation Fund supports innovative thinking and action on climate-compatible development in the Africa region. CDKN invites innovative ("game changing") project proposals, learning materials, best-practice tool kits, policy briefs, and implementation strategies. Applicants are invited from African government institutions and other African partners. Round 2 will support two awards of up to £100 thousand each. Subsequently, CDKN may provide awards of up to £200 thousand each for implementation. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2012

Sustainable Livestock Production in Ethiopia

Colorado State University manages collaborative research on the relation between livestock and climate change (livestock-climate CRSP), with financial support from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The current call for proposals focuses on sustainable livestock production systems in the Borena Zone of Ethiopia. Eligibility extends to researchers at U.S. universities and their partner organizations in Ethiopia. Grants are up to US$500 thousand for projects of two to three years. The deadline for proposals is 20 August 2012. Note: The program also offers small grants to early-career professionals in East Africa who are engaged in applied research on livestock production in East Africa, with pre-proposals due 20 July 2012

ICTs for Addressing Water-Related Impacts of Climate Change

With funding by Canada's IDRC, the University of Nairobi announces research grants to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) for modeling water resources, weather forecasting, climate monitoring, community preparation for risks, and related topics stemming from climate change. The awards are open to citizens of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America who are graduate-level university students in these regions. The maximum size of support is CA$15,000 for PhD candidates, and CA$7,500 for Masters students. Applications (English, French, or Spanish) are due before 14 September 2012