Grants and Fellowships

Centre for the Study of Biodiversity in Amazonia – Call for Proposals 2015
The Centre for the Study of Biodiversity in Amazonia (CEBA) is a French Laboratory of Excellence based in French Guiana to foster knowledge on terrestrial biodiversity in Amazonia.  CEBA coordinates research capacity in France on the topic of Amazonian terrestrial biodiversity, and it fosters collaboration with South American and other international partners. Proposed projects must be coherent with CEBA’s program of work, with priority for forward-looking interdisciplinary research. Funding is up to €20 thousand for one year. The application deadline is 23 January 2015.

The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) offers 60 doctoral scholarships annually to young scientists for research in environmental protection and nature conservation. The DBU accepts applications from Germany and internationally across natural and engineering sciences, social sciences, humanities, business and law, and interdisciplinary themes in support of sustainable development. DBU welcomes subjects of international importance, although the work has to be done mainly in Germany, with reference to the German environmental situation. The application deadlines are 15 January and 15 June of each year.

The CAS-TWAS President’s PhD Fellowship Programme will support up to 200 students worldwide for PhD studies in China. The areas of concentration include agricultural sciences; biological systems; and several others. The maximum age for applicants is 35 years. Funding support is for up to four years. The application deadline is 31 March 2015. 

India’s National Science Academy administers the JRD-Tata Fellowships to support visiting scientists from the developing world and promote South-South cooperation. The program is open to applicants from developing countries (except India) younger than age 45, and who possess doctorate or masters degrees in science or equivalent degrees in engineering/medicine. Past participants have included several in agriculture, biological sciences, and geo sciences. The fellowship is for three months and includes transportation, maintenance allowance, accommodation, and contingencies. The application deadlines are 30 April and 31 October of each year.

The UNU-INRA invites applications for its visiting scholars program in the theme “Unleashing the Potential of African Rural Economies through Green Growth”. Up to ten visiting scholars will be selected to spend 3-4 months carrying out research at UNU-INRA headquarters in Ghana or at one of its operating units based in Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia, Senegal, and Zambia. Applications are accepted from faculty members and researchers at African universities and other research institutions on the African continent, and who have a PhD degree in the relevant fields. The application deadline is 30 April 2015. 

With funding from Canada’s International Development Research Centre, UNU-INRA is undertaking a three-year project entitled “Unleashing the Potential of African Rural Economies through Green Growth”. The project will select 13 PhD interns to help provide evidence on how green growth strategies can influence employment, income generation, competitiveness, and social inclusion in rural Africa. Applicants should be African nationals who are enrolled in doctoral studies, most preferably at the later stages of their PhD programs. UNU-INRA accepts both Anglophone and Francophone applicants. The application deadline is 31 May 2015.

DAAD is partnering with the EC’s Marie Curie Program to fund the new program, Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME), for outstanding postdoctoral researchers across all disciplines and nationalities.  Funding is provided for 18 months, of which 12 months are spent abroad and 6 months at a German university. The funding consists of salaries instead of scholarships. DAAD’s announcement includes a list of participating German universities. The deadline for applications is 1 February 2015.  

France’s IRD collaborates with CIRAD, the French Embassy in Brazil, and three Brazilian states to sponsor GUYAMAZON for collaborative Amazonian research.  Research themes include biodiversity, terrestrial and forest ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, climate and health, agro-ecology and subsistence farming, renewable energy, and social sciences. Projects link researchers in France (especially the department of French Guyana) and the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Amapá, and Maranhão. The application deadline is 28 February 2015. 

ISTIC is partnering with TWAS (the World Academy of Sciences) to identify, reward, and disseminate best practices in science and technology that have helped advance economic development in the global South. The project invites abstracts of case studies from scientists, entrepreneurs, and others. ISTIC/TWAS will select 10-15 case studies for presentation in Malaysia in October 2015. The three best presentations will be awarded cash prizes ranging from US$2 thousand to US$5 thousand. The deadline for submitting case studies is 1 April 2015. 

The Association of Commonwealth Universities offers staff at ACU member universities the opportunity to attend a relevant conference in a Commonwealth country outside their home region. The scheme is aimed at early-career academics who have not yet had the opportunity to work, study, or travel outside their own country. Grants are up to £2 thousand. The closing date for the current round of applications is 22 February 2015. 

The ASM’s African Graduate Student Research Fund makes awards to African nationals pursuing graduate degrees in mammalogy. Each of two awardees will receive US$1,500 and an online membership to the Society.  The application deadline is 1 March 2015.  

With funding by the UK’s Department for international Development (DFID), the Capacity Building Program for Africa aims to facilitate multidisciplinary partnerships between research groups in Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK. Research priorities are water and sanitation; renewable energy; and soil-related research. The program supports research expenses, travel and subsistence costs, PhD training, and limited funds for equipment. Program grants will support consortia consisting of three African groups and one UK-based laboratory. The application deadline is 19 March 2015. 

The John Ball Zoological Society makes grants to conserve wild animals and their habitats; to improve the management of captive animals; and to develop education programs related to these objectives. Most funded projects are in developing countries. Applicants can be of any nationality, and they should be associated with a recognized zoo, educational institution, conservation organization, etc. Grants generally range from US$500 to US$2,500. The deadline for applications is 1 March 2015.

The AAV makes grants for research addressing clinical aspects of exotic and wild birds — including diagnostic tests, drug doses, practice management, and conservation. Grants are up to US$10 thousand for individual projects of one year. There are no nationality restrictions. The deadline for pre-proposals is 1 February 2015. 

WWF-US supports women conservationists in the Congo Basin for short-term training and for academic and technical degrees in conservation. Applicants must be citizens and permanent residents of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, or Republic of Congo.  Most training programs are for less than six months and are funded by grants up to US$5 thousand. Scholarships are for one year and up to US$10 thousand for study anywhere in the world. Applications can be submitted in either English or French.  For 2015, the application deadlines are 1 May and 1 August 2015.  

The U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) makes grants to mitigate negative impacts to coral reefs, and to improve the effectiveness of coral reef management. Grants are for projects in the USA and internationally.  The international priorities are Micronesia, Samoa and the Southwest Pacific, the Coral Triangle region, and the Wider Caribbean.  However, all international locations are eligible.   The deadline for pre-proposals is 3 February 2015.

The PTES makes grants to scientific researchers and conservationists for work that helps preserve endangered species, either through research or applied field work. The program offers small grants between £3 thousand and £10 thousand per year for up to two years. The application deadline is 12 February 2015.  

TechWomen offers professional mentorship and exchange for emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in selected countries of the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The eligible countries are Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya,  Morocco, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.  TechWomen covers the costs of travel and accommodation for the program events in California and Washington, DC. The application deadline is 10 February 2015. 

The ISSC and several partners invite proposals for Transformative Knowledge Networks in support of the recently launched Transformations to Sustainability Program. The networks will emphasize that research on global environmental change and sustainability goes hand-in-hand with calls for deep social change.  Three Knowledge Networks will be supported with up to €900 thousand per network over three years. The Knowledge Networks will be led or co-led by social scientists in low- and middle-income countries. The application period is 2 February 2015 through 31 March 2015. 

The Australian government contributes to the education of talented individuals in the developing countries through its scholarship programs. Subject areas for study correspond to priorities of Australia’s aid programs by regions and countries — and include agriculture, energy, natural resources, and environment. The application deadline for 2016 scholarships in most Asian-Pacific countries is 30 April 2015, but with important exceptions (check carefully).

The International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD) is a two-year master’s program in rural development and agricultural economics, focusing on socioeconomic and institutional aspects.  The IMRD comprises a consortium of 16 participating universities in the EU, China, Ecuador, India, South Africa, and the USA.  The program invites qualified individuals from around the world to apply. The program offers Erasmus Mundus Scholarships as well as IMRD Consortium Scholarships.  The deadline to apply for scholarships is 15 March 2015. 

The UNU’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) offers a three-year PhD program to produce scholars who will become key researchers in the field of sustainability science. The program seeks to incorporate perspectives on global change, specifically those related to climate change and biodiversity. The Japan Foundation offers the UNU Scholarship for outstanding applicants from developing countries who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2015.

The Newton International Fellowships scheme invites researchers worldwide to apply for two years of post-doctoral support at UK institutions. The Fellowships are made in the physical, natural, and social sciences and humanities. For 2015, the Newton Fund will support additional researchers specifically from Brazil, China, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey. The application deadline is 25 February 2015.

The United Nations University (UNU) offers PhD and postdoctoral fellowships to young scholars and policymakers, especially from the developing world.  One fellowships program is with the UNU’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability; the other is with the UNU’s Center for Policy Research. The research themes include ecosystem services; biodiversity conservation; water and urban development; governance for sustainable development; and others. There are no nationality requirements, but applicants should be fluent in English. The closing date for applications is 28 February 2015.

The GBIF presents the Young Researchers Award to foster innovative research and discovery in biodiversity informatics. For 2015, GBIF will present two awards of €4 thousand each to one master’s student and one doctoral student. Students must apply through and be nominated by a Head of Delegation of a GBIF participant country.  The deadline is 3 March 2015.  

New Zealand’s government provides a variety of opportunities for training and university study through the New Zealand Aid Program, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The priorities often include agriculture, renewable energy, fisheries, disaster risk management, and other areas related to natural resources and environment. For individuals intending to pursue tertiary studies at any of the ten eligible New Zealand universities and institutes of technology, NZAID recommends applying for admission before 30 April 2015. However, application deadlines are specific to each country/regional program (check carefully).

The BBVA Foundation annually makes awards to recognize innovative and fundamental advances in science, culture, and collaboration. Thematic areas include ecology and conservation biology; climate change; and development cooperation (among others). In each prize category, BBVA awards €400 thousand plus a diploma and a commemorative artwork. The awards are open to individuals and organizations of any nationality. The deadline for nominations is 30 June 2015.

ITTO makes grants through the Freezailah Fellowship Fund for training opportunities, demonstration tours, participation in conferences and workshops, preparation of technical papers, and post-graduate degrees. Grants up to US$10 thousand are in support of sustainable tropical forest management. Applicants are young and mid-career professionals in ITTO’s member countries; most grants are to individuals in the developing countries. The deadline for the first application cycle in 2015 is 20 February 2015. 

The Nestlé Foundation supports research in human nutrition in low-income and lower middle-income countries.  The Foundation will consider research in areas such as food policy, food production (i.e., related to agricultural development), and food technology if the proposed interventions have high potential for sustainable improvement of nutritional status.  The Foundation offers training grants; pilot grants; small and large research grants; and re-entry grants to encourage the return of post-graduate students to their home countries.  Interested researchers are invited to submit letters of intent (LOIs) at any time.

The University of Kassel in Germany collaborates with partner universities in Brazil, Ghana, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and South Africa to comprise the International Center for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) as an interdisciplinary scientific network.  With funding by the German government, ICDD offers doctoral fellowships at the network’s eight member universities in themes that integrate agricultural development, livelihoods, and rural welfare.  Applications are accepted from qualified citizens of all aid-recipient countries.  The selected PhD students will be based at the partner university they choose. Funding is for three years, with a possibility to extend for a fourth year. The application deadline is 15 February 2015. 

The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP) offers fellowships for graduate students from developing countries for agricultural research at universities in the USA. The program currently invites applications from citizens of USAID-assisted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Each research project is coordinated by a university in the student’s home country, a university in the USA, and a mentor in the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The next application deadline is 31 March 2015. 

The International Wheat Yield Partnership is initiating its first competitive funding call. The aim is to to substantially increase the genetic yield potential of wheat by focusing on the four research topics identified in the call. Grants (cash and in-kind) are up to US$2 million over three years. The application period for pre-proposals is 15 January through 15 March 2015. 

The IPCC Scholarship Programme builds capacity in the understanding and management of climate change in developing countries by supporting young scientists from developing countries to undertake doctoral studies. Candidates must be citizens of developing countries no more than 30 years of age at the time of application. Priority is for applications submitted by students from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Support is a maximum of €15 thousand per year for up to two years. The deadline for submissions is 15 February 2015. 

The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership comprises many of the world’s largest energy companies in partnership with international organizations, development banks, institutes, and foundations. The program sponsors ESED (Education for Sustainable Energy Development) to support outstanding students from developing countries to pursue masters-level studies directly related to sustainable energy. The support is US$23 thousand per year for up to two years.  Applications are invited from any developing country on the list of ODA recipients. The next application deadline is 6 March 2015. 

The Global Water Alliance announces a competition for students and young professionals worldwide to showcase how women’s participation is essential for successful water projects in rural and developing areas. The competition invites papers, journals, and videos related to this topic. Eligibility extends to individuals and teams. The winning entry will be awarded US$1 thousand and an invitation to present at the 7th World Water Forum in South Korea (travel and attendance costs are not covered in the award). The closing date for applications is 8 February 2015.

The Fiat Panis Foundation makes awards for university thesis and dissertation research in themes of agriculture and natural resources, with a focus on food security in developing countries. The Justus von Liebig Award for World Food is €25 thousand; the Hans Hartwig Ruthenberg Graduate Award is €7.5 thousand. The deadline for both awards is 30 April 2015.