Environment, Energy & Water
NASA Land-Cover/Land-Use Change (LCLUC) Program
The NASA Land-Cover/Land-Use Change (LCLUC) program’s primary goal is to use satellite observations for improving our understanding of LCLUC as an essential component of Earth System Science. The LCLUC program includes studies that detect and quantify changes in land cover and land use; examine their impact on the environment, and interactions with climate and society; and model future scenarios of LCLUC impacts. The LCLUC program is developing interdisciplinary research combining aspects of physical, social, and economic sciences, with a high level of societal relevance, using remote sensing data methods and tools.
The LCLUC program aims to develop the capability for annual satellite-based inventories of land cover and land use to characterize and monitor changes at the Earth’s surface. Social and economic science research plays an important role in the LCLUC program and includes quantifying the impacts of changes in human behavior at various levels on land use, land-use impacts on society, or how the social and economic aspects of land-use systems adapt to climate change. LCLUC, ubiquitous worldwide, is having a significant impact on the environment, the provision of ecosystem services, and human livelihoods at the national, regional, or global scale, often with economic and policy implications. The policy implications can, for example, be in terms of current policies that have prompted, or exacerbated land-use change or policy changes that would lead to sustainable land use practices.
Award Size: Varies per proposal
Deadline: Step-One Proposals due April 29, 2021, Step-Two Proposals due July 29, 2021
SERVIR Applied Sciences Team
SERVIR, a joint initiative of NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), fosters applications of Earth observations to help developing countries assess environmental conditions to improve their planning and actions. This program element requests proposals for the SERVIR Applied Sciences Team (AST), which will improve the abilities of SERVIR regional hubs, national stakeholders, and users to apply Earth observations.
The primary purpose of this team is to provide geographic and thematic applied science expertise to regions supported by the SERVIR global network. Geographic regions include Eastern and Southern Africa, Hindu-Kush Himalaya, Lower Mekong, West Africa, and Amazonia. Thematic topic areas for this program element include Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources and Hydroclimatic Disasters, Land Cover and Land Use Change and Ecosystems, and Weather and Climate. Each AST member will co-develop application(s) with, and transfer them to, SERVIR regional hubs to strengthen individual, organizational, and institutional capacity of hubs and their users to address users’ decision-making needs. Team members will also communicate, coordinate, and share expertise with each other and SERVIR hubs across thematic and regional interests.
Award Size: Up to $220,000 per year
Deadline: Step-One Proposals due October 26, 2021, Step-Two Proposals due April 28, 2022
NSF: Antarctic Research
The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) supports scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean with logistics provided by the Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP)'s Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section (AIL). Antarctic fieldwork is supported only for research that must be performed, or is best performed, in Antarctica. ANT encourages research, using existing samples, data, and models, that do not require fieldwork. ANT encourages and supports research that crosses and combines disciplinary perspectives and approaches. ANT also supports proposals that promote effective collaborations between Polar and cyberinfrastructure researchers.
The Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) supports cutting-edge research that:
- Improves understanding of interactions among the Antarctic region and global systems;
- Expands fundamental knowledge of Antarctic systems, biota, and processes; and
- Utilizes the unique characteristics of the Antarctic region as a science observing platform.
Award Size: $500,000 up to $1.5M
Deadline: Applications are accepted at any time
Health & Nutrition
HHS: Fogarty Global Trauma and Injury Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional)
The overall objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to strengthen trauma and injury research capacity at academic institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through support for research training programs. Research training and capacity training programs should:
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) allows trainees to propose to serve as the lead investigator of an independent clinical trial; or proposing a separate ancillary clinical trial; or proposing to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator, as part of their research and career development.
- Provide in depth training in research design, methods, and analytic techniques appropriate for trauma and injury research;
- Support trainees to conduct mentored research using state-of-the-art methods;
- Provide training in scientific presentation and publication;
- Support trainees to obtain advanced degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) in trauma and injury research; and
- Support research faculty/mentors to strengthen trauma and injury research capacity at LMIC institutions, and to contribute to national and global trauma and injury research initiatives and networks.
Award Size: Up to $270,000 per year
Letters of Intent are due: March 16, 2021
Education & Engagement
DoS: Mozambique PAS Annual Program Statement
The U.S. Embassy Mozambique Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is an Annual Program Statement, outlining our funding priorities, the strategic themes we focus on, and the procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below.
PAS Mozambique invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mozambique through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.
Priority Program Areas:
- Entrepreneurship: Promoting good business practices and providing business training for young entrepreneurs.
- Countering Violent Extremism: Fostering community resilience to terrorism and violent extremism in Cabo Delgado.
- English language: Increasing access to virtual English learning.
- Women’s empowerment: Providing established and emerging female leaders with the tools needed to advance their community’s needs.
Award Size: $5,000 up to $50,000
Deadline: August 1, 2021
Other Opportunities
USAID: Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Activity in the Kyrgyz Republic
The Activity will aim to strengthen the transparency and accountability of the judiciary and other key government institutions. It will do so by supporting the following four objectives:
- Strengthen the judiciary as a core pillar of the governance and rule of law architecture, with a focus on facilitating greater coherence, coordination, and communication between the varied institutions, actors, and processes (formal and informal) that comprise this system.
- Strengthen justice and legal services to address legal problems, resolve disputes, and protect fundamental rights and thus close the justice gap.
- Strengthen the connection between the judiciary and society by ensuring that the systems and services are more responsive to the population as a whole and equipped to address the legal problems and justice needs of the communities and businesses they are mandated to service.
- Engage select executive institutions and parliament to strengthen open government policies and the delivery of services across sectors in a more transparent, accountable, and citizen-responsive manner.
In achieving these four objectives, the activity will adhere to three core guiding principles: fostering a people-centered approach to justice, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and prioritizing learning and adaptation in Activity implementation. Most importantly, the Activity will support the Kyrgyz Government initiatives and strategies in the field of rule of law, most notably the National Target Program on Development of the Judicial System for 2019-2022.
Award Size: Up to $9M
Deadline: March 17, 2021
DoS: Request for Concept Notes for Humanitarian Research
This solicitation is the first step in a two-part process. After reviewing concept notes, PRM will invite selected organizations to expand their submissions into full single-year (15-page) or two-year (20-page) proposals with objectives, indicators, and detailed budgets for each year of the program. Selected organizations will have 30 calendar days after they are notified of their selection to complete their full proposals.
Concept notes must respond to one of the following research questions:
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) for Protection: How can CVA be formulated to be most impactful in achieving protection outcomes? When does cash for protection work, when should it be in place, and how is it best implemented to achieve intended outcomes? What are the longer-term impacts of CVA transfers for protection, and how does the duration of those transfers impact whether or not longer-term protection outcomes are achieved?
Displaced Indigenous and/or Other Marginalized Populations in South America: What are the types of displacement challenges indigenous and/or binational/transfronterizo populations in South America face? To what extent do humanitarian assistance organizations account for the specific assistance and protection challenges facing displaced indigenous and/or marginalized populations? Research proposals may consider a comparative piece that involves at least two indigenous communities in South America.
Concept notes must propose research relevant to specific PRM populations of concern. For the purposes of this call for concept notes, this includes refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, conflict victims, and vulnerable migrants. PRM will not review proposals for domestic research on U.S.-based assistance activities. Concept notes should propose humanitarian research to be conducted overseas. Organizations may submit a maximum of two (2) concept notes, but only one (1) concept note per each of the topics listed.
Award Size: Up to $300,000
Deadline: March 19, 2021
IDRC: Call for proposals: Closing the justice gap
IDRC, a Canadian Crown corporation, funds research in developing countries to create lasting change on a large scale. We achieve this by providing developing-country researchers with financial resources, advice, and training to help them find solutions to local problems; by encouraging knowledge sharing with policymakers, researchers, and communities around the world; and by fostering new talent through fellowships and award. The call for proposals is led by IDRC’s Democratic and Inclusive Governance program area, which supports data, research evidence, and innovations that enable greater inclusion, accountability, and transparency, and empower communities — notably women and marginalized groups — to access their rights.
Research questions this call seeks to answer
Projects should support the generation of knowledge, evidence, and learning on what works, and under what conditions legal empowerment approaches can contribute to achieving systems change, especially for women and vulnerable groups. The following research questions will guide the data collection and analysis conducted by country-led teams regarding systems change:
- How can legal empowerment approaches help to translate grassroots efforts addressing specific rights violations into improvements in broader laws, policies, and institutional practice?
A particular focus is on how these improvements advance key development and governance outcomes, notably: addressing the root causes of exclusion and inequality, for instance related to access to services; and/or promoting public accountability and advancing democratic norms, including expanding participation and greater respect for rights.
- How do legal empowerment approaches strengthen leadership and collective power among vulnerable and excluded groups and enable them to claim greater respect for their rights and drive changes to laws, policies, and institutional practice?
Award Size: see website
Deadline: March 22, 2021
USAID: India Support to the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
Resilient infrastructure systems are essential for all countries to withstand and rapidly recover from natural and human‐induced disasters. Infrastructure such as electricity, telecommunications, roads, water, and sanitation is central to people’s lives. Without this infrastructure, they cannot earn a living, stay healthy, or maintain a good quality of life. Access to basic infrastructure is thus a key driver of economic development that underpins the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Underdeveloped or poor infrastructure, both in terms of quantity and quality, can therefore be a major global barrier to sustainable development. To fill this gap, the world is expected to invest around $90 trillion in infrastructure over the next 15 years.
Realizing the importance of disaster resilient infrastructure, the Government of India (GOI) catalyzed the formation of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and invited countries across the globe to join. The resulting CDRI is a global partnership of national governments, UN agencies, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and academic and knowledge institutions.
The overall vision of this activity is to strengthen the technical capacity of the CDRI Secretariat. More specifically, the activity will provide targeted technical assistance or other resources to the CDRI Secretariat to achieve, sustain and accelerate outcomes from the activities supported under the three strategic priority areas as identified in the CDRI work plan. The three CDRI work plan priority areas include:
- provide technical support and build capacity to build back resilience, increase financing, strengthen governance, and carry out risk and resilience assessments
- carry out research and knowledge management to develop learning from disasters, build decision support functions, develop standards and certifications, and promote innovations
- build advocacy and partnerships that would result in the organization of national and international workshops, reports and resilience challenges.
Award Size: $1.2M up to $9.2M
Deadline: March 29, 2021
DoS: DRL Reducing Corruption in Angola
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a project that supports Angola’s growing civil society and independent media in increasing public awareness and support for anticorruption and transparency reform.
DRL’s goal is to reduce corruption in Angola. DRL’s objectives are that Angolan civil society and media have the skills, tools, and access to investigate and monitor corruption, and - to support advocacy efforts - civil society and the media use their new abilities to educate and engage the public on ongoing corruption reforms in Angola. Desired outcomes of this program are for Angolan citizens to have increased understanding of ongoing anti-corruption reforms in-country and how to advocate for those reforms; and for civil society to have increased capacity to safely investigate corruption and conduct advocacy around anti-corruption.
To address these challenges and build upon positive momentum, DRL is soliciting proposals for a program that works to reduce corruption in Angola. Program activities can include but are not limited to: providing Angolan civil society and media with the skills, tools, and access to investigate and monitor corruption; building the capacity of Angolan civil society to conduct advocacy efforts around corruption reforms, such as implementing the Alta Autoridade Contra Corrupção (High Authority Against Corruption) Act, joining the Voluntary Principles Initiative, or reforms to prevent corruption in the new local governments; and providing support to Angolan civil society and the media to educate the public on ongoing corruption reforms in Angola.
Award Size: $1.3M
Deadline: March 30, 2021
DoS: Supporting Transparency and Accountability in Sudan
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a project that counters corruption and supports transparency and accountability in Sudan. DRL’s goal is to support anticorruption efforts in Sudan to help facilitate economic, governmental, and social development for the benefit of the Sudanese people. To support this goal, DRL is seeking proposals for programs to combat corruption in Sudan.
Some of the key issues in need of assistance include: drafting a legal framework to ensure that revenues from natural resources, such as gold, are not lost to corruption; addressing government offices staffed with fictitious workers which drain the government budget and result in weak government services; the establishment of an effective Anti-Corruption Commission; identifying and recovering stolen assists lost to corruption; and drafting a legal framework for a proper access to information law.
Program approaches could include, but are not limited to, training for civil society and media to investigate and expose instances of corruption; grants to civil society to conduct advocacy and outreach on anticorruption reforms; building the technical skills of Sudanese government stakeholders (e.g. Ministries of Justice or Finance, Transitional Legislative Council) to draft laws and implement reforms that reduce corruption; developing a framework for and establishing a sustainable and effective Anti-Corruption Commission; and strengthening the capacity of civil society and the media to collect credible information and educate the public on ongoing corruption reforms in Sudan, including via advocacy campaigns.
Award Size: $1.35M
Deadline: April 12, 2021
DoS: DRL Promoting Investigative Journalism and Anti-Corruption Efforts in Pacific Island Countries
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a regional project that strengthens investigative journalism and anti-corruption efforts across the Pacific Islands.
The project should be regional in scope in recognition of the Blue Pacific narrative, which recognizes the potential of collective regional action across Pacific Island countries and territories to drive positive change in the regions political, socio-cultural, and economic development based on a shared ocean identity, geography, and resources.
Pacific Islands countries and territories that could initially be included in proposals are: Fiji, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. While the focus of the project should be on improving investigative reporting and anti-corruption efforts in the Pacific, additional activities in other regions could be relevant depending on the cross-regional/global aspects of specific corruption schemes impacting the Pacific.
Projects should be designed to achieve the following outcomes:
- Journalists and media outlets effectively provide independent, investigative reporting to large audiences;
- Senior media experts sustain strengthened relationships with emerging investigative journalists and other relevant actors;
- Increased quality and quantity of investigative reporting in the Pacific prompt accountability actions of key stakeholders
Award Size: $1M up to $1.975M
Deadline: April 14, 2021
DoS: Global Participation and Protection of Women Civil Society Activists, Journalists, and Peacebuilders
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that to enhance the participation and protection of women civil society activists, journalists, and peacebuilders in countries where women are playing a central role in conflict prevention and other transitional processes.
Award Size: $500,000 up to $1M
Statements of Interest: April 19, 2021
DoS: DRL Balkans Media and Civil Society
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that strengthen independent media and civil society in Balkan Countries. Their are two intended projects under this announcement and they share the same proposed deadline.
Supporting Civil Society in the Balkans
Through stronger focus on their international commitments, DRL's goal for this program is that governments in the Balkans (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro) are able to demonstrate improved respect for human rights through continued democracy and rule of law reform processes.
By working with relevant civil society organizations (CSOs) across the appropriate countries, the proposed program will address the following objectives: (1) strengthening CSOs' abilities to collaborate across borders on key issues related to transparency and accountability that affect all countries in the Balkans; (2) developing CSOs' skills and knowledge to utilize international fora as a tool for government accountability; and (3) supporting CSOs as they develop and implement campaigns that work with citizens to peacefully pressure their governments for desired democratic, anti-corruption, and rule of law reforms.
Award Size: Up to $1.55M
Supporting Independent Media in the Balkans
The proposed program will support local independent media outlets and enhance media literacy in the Balkans (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro). The goals are that (1) independent local media outlets improve the quality, relevance, and appeal of local journalism so that the supply of objective information is expanded; and (2) strengthened demand for objective, fact-based, and reliable information in local communities by fostering an expanded domestic audience for it. By focusing on the supply and demand of quality media in the Balkans, the program should seek to achieve mutually reinforcing results that will improve access to useful and objective information.
The program should strengthen citizens' ability to identify and analyze independent, high-quality news and information by leveraging existing media literacy activities and strengthening best practices across the region. Activities could engage local journalists, educators, communities, and government officials in media literacy programs such as fact-checking websites or satirical news programs that debunk false information.
Award Size: Up to $1M
Deadline: April 26, 2021
DoS: U.S. Mission to France - PAS Annual Program Statement 2021
The United States Embassy and Consulates in France offer small grants for outreach activities that enhance the understanding of the United States in France. Applicants must demonstrate how they intend to actively promote an understanding of the United States and how they will engage with French audiences.
The U.S. Mission Public Affairs Section seeks to engage the public, decision-makers, civil society leaders, and opinion-shapers at all levels of French society on information, security, economic, cultural, and educational issues through public diplomacy resources and expertise, with the goal of broadening support for, and understanding of U.S. policies, culture, history, society, and values. Priority will be given to programs that demonstrate a proven commitment to inclusion, gender equality, as well as diverse voices, socio-economic and geographical backgrounds.
Priority programmatic themes for the U.S. Mission to France include:
- Security and Defense
- Foreign Policy
- Civic Education.
- Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
- Prosperity, Trade, and Investment
- Health, Technology and Innovation
- Shared Democratic Values and Interests
- Student Mobility
- Cultural Diplomacy
Award Size: $2,000 up to $24,999
Deadline: July 4, 2021
Scholarships & Fellowships
Gerda Henkel Foundation: Ph.D. Scholarships
In line with one of the founder’s wishes, a special focus of the Gerda Henkel Foundation is support for up-and-coming scholars. Special attention is made when approving grants to enable qualified young researchers to conduct scientific work for a limited period of time and in order to improve their academic training. As part of its Ph.D. program, the Foundation seeks to promote highly-qualified new academic talent. Only those candidates are considered whose study achievements and exam performances show them to be especially gifted and whose Ph.D. theses can be expected to yield well above-average results. At present, each year about 50 scholarships are awarded.
Support is primarily provided for the historical humanities, in particular to support research projects in the following fields:
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Historical Islamic Studies
- History
- History of Law
- History of Science
- Prehistory and Early History
Applications for PhD scholarships are considered throughout the year. Recipients of PhD scholarships will be selected four times a year. The review and approval process of a complete application is generally completed within six months.
Award Size: Various awards plus $1,925 per month stipend
Deadline: Applications are accepted at any time
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