Global IDEAS International Funding Update

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9am-1pm, April 14, 2021

The Future of Farming to Meet Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Reflections on Soil health and Policy

Goals of this Seminar:

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a global challenge, becoming acute in the face of climate change, natural resource degradation, and diseases affecting humans, animals and plants. Technologies and practices that promote sustainable intensification on smallholder farms vary spatially according to the diverse ways in which economic transformation and population dynamics are influencing the costs of land, farm labor, and cash inputs such as fertilizers and improved seeds.

At this seminar we will reflect on how to achieve sustainable productivity gains through investments in soil health and knowledge. Reports have been commissioned on pioneering efforts in East and Southern Africa to engage and empower farmers and communities through approaches that specifically support disadvantaged youth and women. Highlights will include innovations in extension, soil health monitoring and agricultural policy around sustainable intensification. Firsthand experiences will be shared on how to scale out bidirectional learning and access to inputs, to address food security, and simultaneously, environmental security.

A panel of experts will reflect on the frontline experiences presented, and consider how sustainable agriculture intensification can be further supported and scaled out, in a rapidly changing world. Overall, this will be a unique opportunity for lessons to be synthesized from cutting-edge innovations in soil health for SDG, and made available for broader learning.

Details on registration for this important event will be forthcoming.

COVID-19 Community of Practice

NIH: NOSI-Administrative Supplements to SEPA Awards to Develop Innovative Educational Resources to Address SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Hesitancy

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) announces the availability of administrative supplements for the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25) grantees to develop educational resources to address SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy. Vaccinating the US population with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is the key to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the nation. However, a significant number of Americans, including those in medically underserved communities, have questions about vaccination.

The goal of this NOSI is to support SEPA grantees in the development of SARS-CoV-2 resources, specifically related to the educational interventions of their SEPA projects, that will address key issues related to vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccine acceptance in the US.

Research Objectives

Applications must aim to develop innovative educational resources to increase vaccine confidence and encourage vaccine acceptance of the public, especially among populations with a high level of vaccine hesitancy. Examples of appropriate projects include, but are not limited to:

Educational resources, including interactive digital media, designed to disseminate scientific findings about SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with the goals of reducing vaccine misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
Public service announcements, documentaries, films, radio, TV, and other media-based community health literacy resources to support science-based reporting of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with the goals of increasing community’s participation in COVID-19 vaccination programs.

Proposed project should be an expansion of the project currently supported by the parent SEPA award. The project must not constitute a change in scope of the parent award. Partnering with other SEPA projects as well as with other NIGMS programs, such as Institutional Development Award (IDeA) and Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH), is encouraged. Of particular interest are educational programs that focus on reaching out to medically underserved and rural populations.

Award Size: Up to $50,000
Deadline: May 1, 2021

Environment, Energy & Water

DoS: Regional Environment, Science, Technology & Health (ESTH) Grants for Pacific Island States

The Pacific Environment, Science, Technology and Health (ESTH) Hub -- based at the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji -- announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for small grants to support local or regional small-scale ESTH projects in eligible countries in the Pacific islands at $20,000 or less per award. Funding for these awards will be provided by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES).

Projects should address one or more of the following environmental areas of focus:

Addressing climate change through ingenuity and innovation
Combating conservation crimes and strengthening governance in wildlife, logging, mining, and fishing
Promoting U.S. pollution control and waste management expertise
Combating marine debris and pollution
Protecting against infectious diseases and building global health security

Projects may propose activities targeted through this solicitation in the following countries: the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM); Fiji; Kiribati; Papua New Guinea; Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI); Samoa; the Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; or Vanuatu.

Projects should seek to meet local or regional needs, involve local expertise and know-how in the design and implementation phases of the project, and should build monitoring and evaluation – including time-bound milestones for performance/results into the project.

Award Size: $5,000 up to $20,000
Deadline: April 25, 2021

FWS: Asian Elephant Conservation Fund FY21

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The International Affairs Program delivers on this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world.

The Asian Elephant Conservation Fund solicits project proposals for the conservation of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) throughout its range. In 1997, with awareness of the increasing threat to the welfare of the already endangered Asian elephant, The Asian Elephant Conservation Act was signed into law. The Act provides for the conservation of wild Asian elephants by supporting conservation programs in countries within the range of Asian elephants, and the projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of wild Asian elephants.

The goal of this program is to reduce threats to Asian elephants in their natural habitats. Proposals should identify specific conservation actions that have a high likelihood of creating lasting benefits. Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action, and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action in the past. Proposals that do not identify how actions will reduce threats or that do not demonstrate a strong link between data collection and management action will be rejected.

Award Size: $50,000 up to $500,000
Deadline: May 6, 2021

FWS: Great Ape Conservation Fund-Asia

The Great Ape Conservation Fund (GACF)-Asia program is soliciting project proposals for the conservation of orangutans (Pongo spp.) and gibbons (family Hylobatidae) throughout their ranges. Proposal objectives should align with one or more of the desired results identified below under the relevant funding priority.

The Great Ape Conservation Fund supports projects that promote conservation through:

Development and execution of ape conservation management plans;
Reducing trade in, and consumer demand for, illegally harvested apes and ape products;
Applied research on ape populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring, and disease;
Conservation and management of protected areas and other ape habitat, including corridors connecting habitats;
Strengthening local capacity to implement ape conservation programs that lead to conservation stewardship;
Compliance with applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of apes or regulate the use and management of ape habitat;
Wildlife inspection, law enforcement and forensics skills;
Enhanced protection of at-risk ape populations;
Reduction of human-ape conflicts;
Ape-relevant conservation education and community outreach;
Transboundary ape conservation; and
Emerging issues

Award Size: $50,000 up to $500,000
Deadline: May 7, 2021

FWS: Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund-Asia

The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act was passed in 1994 to provide financial resources for conservation of rhinoceroses and tiger populations. This Funding Opportunity aligns with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) mission. The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund (RTCF) is soliciting proposals for the conservation of rhinoceros and/or tigers throughout their ranges. Proposal objectives should align with one or more of the desired results identified below under the relevant funding priority.

The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund supports projects that promote conservation through:

Support of protected area/reserve management and law enforcement in important rhinoceros and tiger range;
Enhanced protection of the most at-risk rhinoceros and tiger populations;
Habitat conservation, restoration and management;
Strengthening local capacity and enhancing community engagement to implement conservation programs that enhance conservation stewardship;
Efforts to decrease human-rhinoceros and human-tiger conflicts;
Applied research on rhinoceros and tiger populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring;
Compliance with applicable treaties and laws that regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceroses and tigers or regulate the use and management of their habitat;
Reducing demand for illegal rhinoceros and tiger parts, products and live animals in consumer countries;
Combating trafficking of rhinoceros and tiger parts, products and live animals;
Reintroduction of rhinoceros to former range; and,
Trans-frontier tiger conservation;

Award Size: $50,000 up to $500,000
Deadline: May 7, 2021

Health & Nutrition

USAID: Cleaner Air and Better Health (CABH)

The purpose of the Cleaner Air and Better Health (CABH) activity is to strengthen air pollution mitigation and exposure reduction systems in selected regions of India, contributing to a cleaner environment and healthier population. Through the CABH activity, USAID/India will support the Government of India (GOI) to address air pollution and its health impacts by: supporting Indian counterparts in identifying and developing regulatory interventions for improved governance on air pollution mitigation and health impacts; leveraging U.S. and Indian innovation, finance and expertise for air pollution mitigation measures and reducing exposure to air pollution; helping strengthen the science underpinning solutions; and raising awareness across stakeholders to drive social and behavioral transformation.

There are two objectives for this activity:

Improve air pollution mitigation;
Reduce exposure to air pollution.

While it might be tempting to search for a silver bullet or panacea to solve India’s air pollution problems, there is no such solution. The sources of air pollution are diverse and varied by time and location. Challenges are different in both rural and urban areas for all genders and marginalized communities. Energy processes account for a large source of air pollution exposure in India, from coal-fired power plants, industrial operations (namely from coal combustion), diesel-based backup generation, and indoor biomass burning for cooking and heating. Vehicles (inefficient and air-polluting two and three-wheeler motor bikes, cars, trucks, and buses) are also a primary contributor to ambient air pollution mostly in urban areas. Other sources of air pollution include open burning of agricultural, forest land and solid waste.

Award Size: $10M up to $15M
Deadline: September 31, 2021

Education & Engagement

DoS: Technology Training to Aid Business Development and Economic Inclusion of Women Entrepreneurs in India

This funding opportunity seeks to advance women’s empowerment by focusing on the skills gap among women founders of MSMEs from Tier II and III towns in western India. By providing intensive, hybrid virtual and in-person training to community leaders on computer, digital, financial, and e-commerce literacy, as well as website design and development, the project will empower trusted local influencers to teach and mentor the women founders.

Train no fewer than 50 civil society community leaders in computer, digital, financial, ecommerce literacy and website design and development for business within 4 to 6 months.
Train no fewer than 250 micro and small women entrepreneurs in computer, digital, financial, ecommerce literacy and website design and development for business within 6 to 8 months.

Community leaders and women entrepreneurs work together to design and develop a basic website to showcase merchandise made by participants in 6 to 8 months.

Award Size: $24,000 up to $32,000
Deadline: May 17, 2021

DoS: PAS Belgrade University Partnership Program

The university partnership proposal should support the U.S. Embassy’s overall objectives in Serbia. Broadly speaking, we are trying to assist the Serbian people to: strengthen democracy, rule of law, and the protection of human rights; help fight brain drain and advance the country’s further economic development; promote regional stability and cooperation; cooperate with international partners to combat crime, terrorism, human trafficking, and other global challenges; and make further progress towards Serbia’s accession into the European Union. We also strive to explain U.S. policies, culture, society, and values to Serbian audiences and deepen ties between our two countries and our two peoples.

A university partnership between Serbian and U.S. institutions of higher learning could involve in-person and/or virtual exchanges involving students, faculty, and/or administrators.

It could also include one or more of the following activities: curriculum development; needs assessments; joint online courses; joint research projects; development of a joint degree program; development of a study abroad program; sharing of best teaching practices and instructional methods; support for participation in academic conferences or student competitions (e.g., moot court, Model U.S. Congress, Model United Nations); establishing an American Studies course or academic program; setting up a center focused on American Studies; and/or establishing or strengthening a career development center.

The main goal(s) of an academic exchange could be to provide Serbian students and their professors:

American academic perspectives on shared areas of interest and lessons learned from the American experience in the focus subject(s);
Insights into current research and academic debates in the U.S. on the focus subject(s);
The chance to engage in discussions and debate with their American counterparts; and/or
The opportunity to experience and assess teaching methodologies used in American university classrooms.

Award Size: $60,000 up to $300,000
Deadline: May 17, 2021

DoS: Indo-Pacific Scholar Connect

Currently, Indo-Pacific nations face unprecedented challenges to their sovereignty, prosperity, and peace. All nations have a shared responsibility to uphold the rules and values that underpin a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States is working closely with India to address common challenges and advance a shared vision. This vision also aligns closely with India’s Act East Policy. Today there is significant convergence of opinion in favor of a U.S.-India joint strategy for a free and open Indo-Pacific among foreign policy circles in both countries. However, there is a need to build awareness and kindle interest within academic and research circles in India and other countries in the region for greater focus on these significant policy issues.

The U.S. Mission to India’s interaction with this audience group underscores the following:

The need for better understanding and appreciation of the gravity of the threats and challenges the Indo-Pacific region faces today;
A lack of opportunities to network with experts and organizations that advocate for a free and open Indo-Pacific;
A lack of exposure and access to mainstream strategic policy circles, and
A susceptibility to propaganda and disinformation campaigns led by vested interests and ideological groups.

Researchers and scholars have expressed the need for institutional capacity-building and noted that they are mostly dependent on open-source data with no access to any privileged information for their research, and highlighted the need to build more synergy, networking, and exchange of ideas and information among likeminded organizations and experts focused on the Indo-Pacific region.

Project Goal: A group of 60 scholars of international relations will have a deeper understanding of the U.S. and Indian visions for a free and open Indo-Pacific; become part of an active network of scholars focused on the study of the region; engage in collaborative research; and promote institutional partnerships that promote the shared values and goals.

The Indo-Pacific Strategic Scholar Connect Campaign will have four major components:

A virtual programming and knowledge sharing phase;
An in-person residency;
An exchange phase; and
A partnership promotion phase

Award Size: $100,000 up to $150,000
Deadline: May 18, 2021

DoS: Ocean Matters Safeguarding Ocean Health in the Indo-Pacific

This funding opportunity seeks to support an ocean health environmental education program that sensitizes young people to take direct ownership and greater responsibility for the welfare and health of oceans by understanding scientific principles behind oceanography.  Through this project, students will observe, record, and reflect on the changes that they see in the environment, and thereby understand the threats and vulnerabilities of the expansive marine environment, and understand and engage in the economics, science, and sustainability of coastal livelihoods. 

Studies using existing Federal tools including the GLOBE initiative can be highly supportive for ocean management and resource conservation.  Several methods have tackled the measurement of microplastics in water bodies using protocols consisting of sample collection, preparation of sample for analysis.  Simple low-cost indigenous collaborative experiment protocols such as those developed by environmental scientists at Australia’s Deakin University in collaboration with GLOBE Europe-Eurasia can be adapted to study and monitor microplastics in surface waters and the oceans. Such regional collaborative exercises will also create nexus between stakeholders in protecting the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region.  

Partnership with schools and students can play a key role in such studies that will invigorate the STEM curriculum in Indian schools and contribute to safeguarding the marine environment.  This program will facilitate the reformation in geoscience education by connecting teaching and learning science in the classroom to the work of citizen scientists.  This project has the goal to inspire, inform, and mentor youth citizen science volunteers to care for the Ocean in the nation extending to the shared waters of the Indo-Pacific region, and supports strengthening India’s environmental infrastructure to face climate change. 

Award Size: $40,000 up to $50,000
Deadline: May 18, 2021

USAID: Higher Education Partnership Initiative (HEPI) Indonesia USAID-Jakarta

Indonesian HEIs want to strengthen their capacity to compete in the international setting. To remain competitive, they must offer accredited study programs and assure the quality and relevance to employment needs. A critical component of this effort is exploring the degree of interdependence and communication between industry, academia, and the government.

USAID’s higher education activities throughout the region and the world have increasingly recognized the foundational nexus between these three key stakeholders as critical to successful higher education programming. Strengthening communication, joint planning and coordination, and facilitating improvement of targeted higher education programs that are aligned with industry needs and are supported by government policies is critical.

The purpose of the HEPI Activity is to:

improve the ability of select Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related programs of study in select Indonesian higher education institutions to meet international standards, and
enhance collaboration with select American HEIs to strengthen STEM-related degree(s) in order to provide Indonesian students with essential technical skills, critical thinking, soft skills, experiential learning, and internationally recognized certifications and credentials needed by local and international businesses in a digital age and the digital economy.

Award Size: Up to $6M
Deadline: May 24, 2021

Other Opportunities

DoS: PAS Mumbai

Through this funding opportunity and based on funding availability, PAS Mumbai is seeking applications for addressing multiple project objectives. Each proposal should focus primarily on one of the following priority project areas.

Ensuring mutual prosperity: Activities that promote free-market economic reforms and U.S.-India bilateral trade, U.S. higher education to Indian students, research partnerships between U.S. and Indian higher education institutes, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, sustainable energy, and science and technology.
Safeguarding people: Activities that focus on countering disinformation, anti-trafficking in persons, and addressing human and environmental health concerns.
Reinforcing democratic values: Activities that utilize education, culture, and sports to build an inclusive India (vis-à-vis ethnic, religious, caste, LGBTQI, and other identities) and support democratic values.
Empowering women and girls: Activities that address the social, political, and economic barriers preventing the full participation of India’s female population in its growth.

Award Size: $5,000 up to $25,000
Deadline: May 1, 2021

DoS: PAS Budapest:Celebrating 100 Years of Diplomatic Relations between The United States and Hungary

The U.S. Embassy Budapest, Public Affairs Section (PAS Budapest) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to commemorate 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Hungary.

PAS Budapest invites proposals for programs to commemorate 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Hungary: to renew conversations within Hungary about the importance and benefits of the Transatlantic relationship and to celebrate the progress made in the last 100 years. All programs should underline the importance and value of the Transatlantic community, and must include an American element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of the importance and benefits of our relationship.

Award Size: $5,000 up to $25,000
Deadline: May 15, 2021

DoS: DRL Promoting Human Rights and Transparent and Accountable Government in Vietnam

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 transparent and accountable government and the protection of individual rights in Vietnam.

DRL'S goal for this project is to strengthen transparent and accountable government and the protection of individual rights in Vietnam, including for vulnerable populations. U.S. assistance for this solicitation will be tailored to address the challenges civil society and legal advocates face in advancing transparent and accountable government, and the protection of individual rights. It will also seek to focus on addressing gaps in law, policy, and enforcement that undermine government accountability, transparency, and the protection of rights under Vietnam's domestic laws and international treaty commitments.

A competitive project will seek to achieve the following desired outcomes:

Civil society and legal advocates effectively pursue strategic efforts to advance transparent and accountable governance and the protection of individual rights, including for vulnerable populations
Civil society and legal advocates more effectively inform and support legal and policy reforms and implementation of existing laws advancing individual rights and transparent and accountable government
Policymakers and government reform and strengthen laws and practices advancing transparent and accountable government and the protection of individual rights

Award Size: $750,000 up to $1M
Deadline: May 17, 2021

DoS: PAS Chennai

The U.S. Consulate General Chennai Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State oversees a range of policy-oriented, cultural, and educational initiatives throughout South India that are supported by the U.S. Government, with the goal to foster stronger bilateral and regional ties through diverse public diplomacy programs. PAS Chennai’s geographic focus includes three states in South India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala) and the three Union Territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

This funding opportunity seeks to invite project proposals on four areas:

Transformative Technologies,
Inclusive India,
Indo Pacific Cooperation, and
Higher Education.

Award Size: $3,000 up to $25,000
Deadline: May 18, 2021

DoS: Strengthening Women’s Participation in the Workforce (Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor)

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 enable women workers to participate more fully in the workforce. Improving work conditions and addressing constraints to workforce participation for vulnerable women workers is one step toward unleashing women’s economic potential in order to maximize global economic growth and stability.

Competitive programs will utilize a systematic approach to ensuring women’s voices are taken into account and women are adequately and meaningfully represented in society, whether addressing issues of exclusion via policy reform, advocacy and civil society efforts, unions, or government engagement. Programs may consider engaging men and boys as champions and addressing underlying socio-cultural barriers and norms to advancing women’s participation and protection in the workforce. Programs may consider focusing on one or more industries. Projects should focus on one or two countries within a single region, with preference for non-European Union (post-Communist) European countries, countries in the Middle East and North Africa, or Central and South American countries.

Award Size: $1M up to $1.9M
Deadline: May 25, 2021

DoS: PAS Kazakhstan

The U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan and U.S. Consulate General Almaty Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State invite proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Kazakhstan and support a priority program area (see below) in order to highlight shared values and promote bilateral cooperation. All proposed programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in order to promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. Competitive proposals will promote continued/sustainable cooperation between the people of the United States and Kazakhstan even after the project concludes.

There are three major priority program areas:

Effectively Harnessing Social Media, Digital Media, and Promoting Media Literacy: Kazakhstan has a growing and diversifying media market and a demand for objective, professional journalism; at the same time, online consumption of news, stories, and information sharing is higher than ever, including through messaging apps. Preference/priority will go to programs that specifically address Kazakh-language media.
Civil Society Capacity Building: The U.S. Government believes that a strong democracy supports key values, such as respect for civil and human rights, youth empowerment, social inclusion, empowerment of underserved communities, including women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI persons, as well as respect for the rule of law, social justice, and the promotion of grassroots problem solving.
Sharing America with Kazakhstan: The U.S. Embassy is interested in supporting art, education, and cultural projects that strengthen understanding and cultural ties between the United States and Kazakhstan. Priority will be given to proposals and sustainable initiatives that seek to promote and raise awareness of values of freedom of expression, women’s empowerment, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, and youth engagement/empowerment.

Award Size: $5,000 up to $50,000
Deadline: July 15, 2021

Scholarships & Fellowships

Holberg Prize

The Holberg Prize was established by the Norwegian Parliament in 2003 and is awarded annually to a scholar who has made outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology. The Prize may be awarded both for work within a particular academic discipline and for work of a cross-disciplinary nature. The recipient must have had a decisive influence on international research. Scholars holding positions at universities, academies and other research institutions, are entitled to nominate candidates for the Holberg Prize. Please note that all text and attachments must be written in English.

Award Size: $700,000
Deadline: June 15, 2021

NSF: Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

The Office of Polar Programs (OPP) offers postdoctoral research fellowships (PRF) to provide opportunities for early career scientists, including social scientists, to accomplish one or more of the following goals: expand their work across traditional disciplinary lines, develop new partnerships connecting the polar regions and/or non-polar research communities, and provide entry to researchers who have traditionally had limited access to polar research resources, sites and facilities.

The fellowship program encourages the integration of new investigators who have not previously worked in polar regions and/or innovative techniques that have not previously been applied to polar science into polar research. Additionally, the OPP-PRF aims to support beginning investigators with experiences that will establish them in positions of leadership in the scientific community. During their tenure, Fellows will affiliate with a host research institution(s) and conduct research on topics supported by OPP. Successful applicants will participate in a professional development program that will promote mentoring skills and coordinate their involvement in activities that increase the engagement of groups that have previously had limited engagement in polar Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Total program funding- $3M
Deadline: June 18, 2021

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