Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards 2015: African Women

The African Union (AU) honors outstanding African scientists through the Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards for fields that include agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, and energy innovation (among others).

The program seeks to recognize outstanding science at the continental level for which it awards a prize of US$100 thousand. It also makes regional scientific awards to African women of US$20 thousand each.

 The application deadline for regional scientific awards for African women is 30 October 2015. The application deadline for the continental scientific award is 15 November 2015.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://hrst.au.int/en/content/african-union-kwame-nkrumah-scientific-awards-%E2%80%93-2015-edition

Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2016 competition

DEADLINE: 31 October 2015.

The IPA is an initiative of the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) that was established in 2011. It aims to mobilize African innovators and entrepreneurs by providing US$ 150 000 for market-oriented solutions that support African-led development. Through the IPA, the AIF acknowledges and encourages the endeavours of African innovators and entrepreneurs, and works to raise their profiles on the development agenda.  Each nominee also receives a voucher of US$ 5000 to further develop their innovations.

But beyond the prestigious cash prize, IPA 2016 is set to break further ground, opening up new opportunities for innovation enthusiasts across Africa.  All nominees will receive additional post-prize support to the value of US$5 000 to take their innovations to a higher level. Thanks to increasing interest and buy-in from the African innovation pool, AIF will introduce further post-prize opportunities for 10 young Africans and 10 women whose innovations are addressing pressing challenges in Africa. Other incentives include training and pitching opportunities, association with the AIF brand, and local, regional and international media coverage, as well as networking opportunities with potential investors.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/aif-announces-ipa-2016-call-for-applications/

The Explorers Club 2016 Grants

Deadline for applications is 5:00PM EST, October 19, 2015

The Explorers Club is proud of its history but also looks toward the future, recognizing the importance of new ideas and avenues of exploration. The Club is deeply committed to supporting the fieldwork of serious researchers and, as part of its public service commitment, offers the following grants:

The Youth Activity Fund Grant supports high school students and college undergraduates. Its goal is to foster a new generation of explorers dedicated to the advancement of the scientific knowledge of our world.

Awards range from $500 to $5,000. We recommend keeping your budget realistic. The average award is approximately $1,500. Only a few grants may be awarded at the $5,000 level.

The Exploration Fund Grant is for graduate, post-graduate, doctorate and early career post-doctoral students. It provides grants in support of exploration and field research for those who are just beginning their research careers.

Awards range from $500 to $5,000. We recommend keeping your budget realistic. The average award is approximately $2,500. Only a few grants may be awarded at the $5,000 level.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://grants.explorers.org/

Conrad Foundation: Spirit of Innovation Challenge 2016

DEADLINE: October 19, 2015.

The Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge is now open for registration!  The Challenge is an annual multi-phase competition that challenges high school students (ages 13-18) from across the globe to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), innovation and entrepreneurship to develop technologies and solutions to real-world needs.

The Conrad Challenge was founded by Nancy Conrad in honor of her late husband, astronaut, innovator and entrepreneur, Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr. The 2015-2016 Challenge marks the 10th competition.

Participants work together in teams of two to five members to develop solutions in one of four categories: Aerospace & Aviation, Energy & Environment, Cyber Technology & Security and Health & Nutrition.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.conradchallenge.org/

Eisenhower Fellowships: 2016 Africa Program

DEADLINE: October 15, 2015
 
Eisenhower Fellowships seeks a diverse mix of applicants, ages 32-45, from a wide range of professional sectors. EF provides a unique leadership development opportunity for individuals who have a demonstrated track record of significant professional and community achievements and who seek to tackle big challenges in the future.  Competitive candidates articulate goals for the fellowship program and propose steps to achieve them.  EF seeks ascendant leaders who are committed to making the world more peaceful, prosperous and just, and who are committed to a lifelong engagement with EF’s network of 1,400 active leaders around the world.
Candidates from the seven countries listed below should apply directly to Eisenhower Fellowships

1. Ghana
2. Kenya
3. Nigeria
4. Rwanda
5. South Africa
6. Tanzania
7. Zimbabwe

Candidates from other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will be considered if they have a track record of regional impact and are nominated by a member of the Africa Leadership Steering Committee or a member of the Eisenhower Fellowships' global network. Nominated candidates should apply by using the online application.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://www.efworld.org/africaprogram

Kenya Scholarship Opportunities: BHEARD Program

Under the Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program

 The application deadline is 15 October 2015.
 
Under its Feed the Future initiative, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched the Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Program.  Implemented by Michigan State University (MSU), the BHEARD program honors the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug. The program will support long-term training of agricultural and food security researchers and policy advisors at the master’s and doctoral levels. This is a major new effort to increase the number of agricultural scientists and policy advisors and strengthen scientific institutions in developing countries.

Kenya has been selected as one of nine countries for the fourth cohort of BHEARD Fellows. The scholarships will support study in the United States or other selected countries, beginning in August 2016. Training programs will cover up to two years of courses for master’s students and up to three years of courses for doctoral students. Course work will be undertaken at a U.S. or regional university, and the student’s research project will be conducted in Kenya.

 Eligibility is limited to current staff members from the following institutions who wish to study in these subject areas:

• Tegemeo Institute: Advanced survey data analysis, agribusiness, seed technology
• Egerton University: Issues related to climate change; agribusiness
• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO): Instrument science; post-harvest management; productivity enhancement/varietal breeding/crop physiology; seed technology
• University of Nairobi: Biotechnology; soil and crop management; issues related to climate change; sanitary/phytosanitary/food safety

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://bheard.anr.msu.edu/applying_to_bheard/kenya_scholarship_opportunities

GroundTruth’s climate change fellowship

INTERESTED IN BEING AN EDITOR ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT?

 The deadline to submit an application to be an editor is October 15, 2015.

The GroundTruth Project is building a robust and diverse editorial team of reporting fellows and editors to lead a multimedia reporting project over the next three years that will track the impact of global warming.

GroundTruth is also seeking experienced editors to lead the project. Editors must have at least three years experience reporting and editing, preferably with a focus on the environment.

To apply as an editor, please send an updated resume and cover letter to info@thegroundtruthproject.org with the subject line “Climate Fellowship Editor Application.”

You may address the cover letter to:

Charles M. Sennott
Executive Director
The GroundTruth Project
c/o WGBH
10 Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://thegroundtruthproject.org/2015/08/12/apply-now-the-groundtruth-2015-climate-change-reporting-fellowship/

UNDP: Climate Change Storytelling Contest

Write your best climate change story and get an opportunity to join and cover COP21

The deadline to submit an entry is October 11th 2015
 
While climate change is a global phenomenon, it is hitting the world’s poorest regions - and most marginalized communities - the hardest. These changing conditions are impacting human health, economic activity, and are threatening basic human rights including access to water and food security. Climate change is already affecting local communities in low and middle income countries but stories on the negative impacts as well as on the solutions that governments, communities and individuals are implementing often get lost in the global climate change debate.

UNDP story telling contest on climate change aims to contribute to raising public awareness on the negative impacts of climate change on people and communities as well as on the opportunities and solutions seen in actions by individuals and governments in vulnerable developing countries.

The contest provides young journalists in developing countries a unique opportunity to contribute to the global debate on climate change in the run-up to COP21, while building their capacity, and providing recognition for excellence. Authors of the top two stories will be funded to attend and cover COP21.

Target Group
We target journalists 35 years of age and under from developing countries vulnerable to the impact of climate change who:

• Are already engaged in public writing through an official media outlet
• Have a strong interest in reporting on climate change as a contribution ¬– locally and internationally – towards greater public awareness on this critical global topic
• Are eager to seize an opportunity to build their journalistic capacity and contribute to COP21

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.europe.undp.org/content/geneva/en/home/partnerships_initiatives/climate-stories.html