Deadline: 15-Sep-22

The LHoFT Foundation has launched the 5th edition of CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa to support selected firms in developing their businesses and achieving their inclusion goals.

Developed by the LHoFT Foundation, the programme targets companies focusing on financial inclusion in Africa, aiming to build bridges with Luxembourg’s Microfinance industry while highlighting their initiatives in alignment with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s finance center.

The Bootcamp leverages Luxembourg’s Inclusive Finance and Fintech ecosystem in order to support the selected firms in developing their businesses and achieving their inclusion goals. A 5 day training and networking Bootcamp, from October 24th to 28th 2022, run in Luxembourg, for 10 selected Fintech firms working to improve financial inclusion in Africa.

Benefits

All costs are covered

• LHoFT will reimburse reasonable travel costs to reach Luxembourg, using Economy Class Airline Carrier, up to 2000€ per person/company (or equivalent).
• The participants will be hosted in the hotel selected by the LHoFT, located in Luxembourg City and for the duration of the programme.

Eligibility Criteria

• Selected firms will have, at least, a demonstrable Minimum Viable Product (“MVP”) and will likely be in the pre-seed to seed stage of funding.
• Companies must be active in the financial inclusion field, helping underserved and unbanked populations in Africa get access to financial products and services.
• Companies will submit all necessary information to the LHoFT in order to assess the viability of the project, company, background of owners and key shareholders to limit the risks of non-compliance or doubtful application to the programme.
• Companies must agree and shall provide on-going performance metrics and business status for a period of three years post programme completion to the LHoFT for the purposes of programme evaluation.
• The selected firm must guarantee that a founding team member, typically the CEO, will attend the programme for the duration of the week.
• They are particularly interested in hearing from firms in payments and related services.

For more information, visit https://lhoft.com/catapult/africa/

Deadline: 25-Aug-22

The Scholars at Risk (SAR) announces a call for applications for five remote research fellowships for early career researchers who investigate issues focusing upon academic freedom and/or related higher education values.

The fellowship program, made possible by the generous support of and partnership with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is intended to provide support for a professional community of researchers who wish to develop and share related work leading to the completion of a formal written publication, a new course offering, workshop, webinar or other significant end product.

Over the course of the eight-month program, from November 2022 to June 2023, fellows will complete their proposed project and participate in monthly remote, online workshop sessions during which they will be asked to present the progress of their work and to offer feedback on the work of other fellows. During the latter part of the program, fellows will be expected to prepare and deliver an online talk or presentation of their work for SAR staff, network members, and/or guests (with appropriate security accommodations, as necessary). Fellows are also expected to attend a virtual reunion meeting in September 2023 as SAR seeks to develop a community of academic freedom researchers.

Benefits

• Fellows will receive a stipend of USD $8000 intended to cover research expenses, publication, or other costs, as the fellow may decide.

Criteria

• PhD degree received less than 8 years ago; in limited cases, doctoral candidates in the final stages of dissertation completion may be considered.
• Current research or teaching affiliation with a higher education institution, association, or research organization.
• Demonstrated interest in teaching, researching, or publishing about issues of academic freedom or related higher education values.
• Preference for projects involving comparative, international, or collaborative work (fellowship awards may be split across two researchers).
• Commitment to participate in 8-10 remote, online workshops and/or public webinars with co-recipients, SAR staff, network members, and guests (with proper security accommodations).
• Ability to lawfully receive stipend funds and complete program requirements in the country of current location, assuming responsibility for tax or reporting requirements, if any.
• Personal experiences with risk or threat are not a consideration for selection, but current or formerly at-risk researchers are encouraged to apply.
• Candidates in or from the Global South and from minority or otherwise marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/call-for-applications-mellon-sar-fellowship-2022-23/

Deadline: 25-Aug-22

The Scholars at Risk (SAR) announces a call for applications for five remote research fellowships for early career researchers who investigate issues focusing upon academic freedom and/or related higher education values.

The fellowship program, made possible by the generous support of and partnership with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is intended to provide support for a professional community of researchers who wish to develop and share related work leading to the completion of a formal written publication, a new course offering, workshop, webinar or other significant end product.

Over the course of the eight-month program, from November 2022 to June 2023, fellows will complete their proposed project and participate in monthly remote, online workshop sessions during which they will be asked to present the progress of their work and to offer feedback on the work of other fellows. During the latter part of the program, fellows will be expected to prepare and deliver an online talk or presentation of their work for SAR staff, network members, and/or guests (with appropriate security accommodations, as necessary). Fellows are also expected to attend a virtual reunion meeting in September 2023 as SAR seeks to develop a community of academic freedom researchers.

Benefits

• Fellows will receive a stipend of USD $8000 intended to cover research expenses, publication, or other costs, as the fellow may decide.

Criteria

• PhD degree received less than 8 years ago; in limited cases, doctoral candidates in the final stages of dissertation completion may be considered.
• Current research or teaching affiliation with a higher education institution, association, or research organization.
• Demonstrated interest in teaching, researching, or publishing about issues of academic freedom or related higher education values.
• Preference for projects involving comparative, international, or collaborative work (fellowship awards may be split across two researchers).
• Commitment to participate in 8-10 remote, online workshops and/or public webinars with co-recipients, SAR staff, network members, and guests (with proper security accommodations).
• Ability to lawfully receive stipend funds and complete program requirements in the country of current location, assuming responsibility for tax or reporting requirements, if any.
• Personal experiences with risk or threat are not a consideration for selection, but current or formerly at-risk researchers are encouraged to apply.
• Candidates in or from the Global South and from minority or otherwise marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/call-for-applications-mellon-sar-fellowship-2022-23/

Deadline: 15-Aug-22

Have you written a Buddhist story for children? Are you translating Buddhist texts into your local language? Do you have a proposal for research on a Buddhist topic? If yes, then tell them how your idea will help the dharma flourish.

The Khyentse Foundation Ashoka Grants aim to identify and support organizations and individuals working to increase dharma activity around the world. Khyentse Foundation Ashoka Grants are open to the public and aim to identify and support organizations and individuals that are working to increase dharma activity around the world. Ashoka Grants are for programs and projects that fall outside the criteria for Buddhist Studies Scholarships, Individual Practice Grants, or other awards.

Grants are for programs and projects that fall outside the criteria for Buddhist Studies Scholarships, Individual Practice Grants, or other awards.

Your application will not be considered if:

• You are requesting funds for a building and construction project.
• Your application does not adequately explain the budget and scope of the project.
• Your application is not related to Buddhism or Buddhist activity.
• Your application is for a film project; we are not accepting proposals for film projects at this time.
• You have already applied for an Ashoka grant in this round.
• Your application is in a language other than English. At this time, we can only accept applications in English.

Criteria

The Ashoka Grant Committees review applications from organizations and individuals who are actively engaged in projects related to Buddhism.

For more information, visit Khyentse Foundation.

Deadline: 12-Oct-22

National Geographic Society is seeking innovative photography, short film, writing, data visualization and other storytelling proposals to help water users understand the issues around global water sustainability. This work will be supported by data, science and cartography provided by the National Geographic-supported World Water Map developed by Utrecht University.

Themes

The National Geographic is seeking projects that center around the following themes related to water:

• Interconnectedness: Water is the great connector. Rivers span political boundaries, flowing from one community to the next. Moreover, nothing breaks down silos like water. It is bound up in cultural and religious practices, gender, geology, geography, public health, nature, geopolitics and the production and movement of food and other products. The Organization seeks stories that build nuance around  standard and didactic narratives, helping audiences to understand how these topics are all connected, just as we are.
• Justice: The story of water is also fundamentally the story of power. Who controls access, where it flows, what this precious resource is used for–all boils down to privilege. How are issues of race and inequality refracted through the lens of access to water?
• Change and Adaptation: Changes on earth due to global warming, human population growth and technology all result in changes to water supply and demand; water is an indicator of these changes to life on earth. Moreover, water and climate change are more closely linked than most people realize. The Organization seeks stories of solutions and resilience, in particular how people are adapting to these changes.

Funding Information and Duration

Applicants may request up to $20,000. Budgets of successful proposals will include reasonable, well justified costs directly required to complete the project. Successful applicants may use awarded funds over the course of one year. Some projects may be selected for additional funds after proof of concept is demonstrated.  All applications should explicitly state the plan for evaluating the impact of the proposed work. Applicants may use a portion of the budget for HEFAT or other security training, if applicable.

Eligible Projects

Projects that benefit local audiences or incorporate local voices are strongly encouraged. Water issues span nearly every aspect of the human and natural world; The National Geographic is seeking projects with a scientific underpinning and will be looking for these to be well-researched and grounded by science. Storytellers may choose to have a scientist on their team as an advisor to their work. Some journalists feel less comfortable or that they lack the right credentials or education to cover science stories. But journalists and storytellers who have less experience in scientific research may find that they have actually covered issues of social science extensively. If your work is related to inequities around access to resources like freshwater, you’ve covered a social-science story. The National Geographic seeks applications that show the spirit of scientific inquiry.

Eligibility Criteria

• The National Geographic Society warmly welcomes and encourages applicants from historically and currently underrepresented and underserved populations to apply. National Geographic is committed to funding a diverse and globally representative cohort of Explorers.

For more information, visit Grant Opportunity.

Deadline: 1-Sep-22

Applications are now open for the GivingTuesday’s Starling Collective, a global learning community and innovative fellowship for grassroots organizers, activists, artists, and changemakers to discover and share best practices for increasing generosity and driving systems change.

Grassroots leaders around the world have incredible power to mobilize and strengthen their communities, especially in times of crisis. This program is made possible through their partnership with their global network of leaders, partners, communities, and generous individuals.

Benefits

• If selected, you’ll participate in the Starling Collective learning community, and receive coaching and peer support along with a microgrant of $2,000 USD. As part of the learning community:
  • You’ll build relationships and with a global community of movement leaders
  • You’ll tap GivingTuesday’s movement-building experience to accelerate your work and impact
  • You’ll have access to the GivingTuesday data team to develop strategies for goal setting and measurement of your work
  • You’ll receive ideas and best practices from your Starling Collective peers

Eligibility Criteria

• They invite applications from individuals with innovative approaches to catalyzing generosity, empathy, equity, and justice. Applications are accepted from anywhere in the world. The Starling Collective is specifically designed for grassroots organizers, activists, artists, and changemakers from under-represented and under-resourced communities.
• Applicants must be individuals over the age of 13 or the equivalent legal age to participate in the program in their home country. If accepted, applicants under the age of 18 must have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate in and receive any fellowship payments under the Starling Collective
• Applicants must be legally permitted to receive and accept funds from a U.S. nonprofit organization.
• They will prioritize grants to leaders operating in regions of lower resource or greater need. All award decisions will be made at the sole discretion of Giving Tuesday, Inc.
• Grant funds cannot be used to support direct or grassroots political lobbying. Please note that GivingTuesday cannot offer any advice or guidance regarding taxes.
• Applicants will need to be proficient in English or Spanish, as programming will be conducted in English with Spanish simultaneous translation. All vitual meetings will have English captions available.

For more information, visit GivingTuesday.

Deadline: 15-Sep-2

The 2023 Fintech Innovation Challenge is inviting applications from fintechs pioneering innovative financial solutions that break the persistent challenges in serving the low-income women’s market.

Through a highly competitive process, Women’s World Banking’s Fintech Innovation Challenge identifies and elevates 4 later-stage fintechs pioneering innovative financial solutions that break the persistent challenges in serving the low-income women’s market.

They are looking for fintechs currently developing innovative products and solutions that address low-income women and their needs.

Award Information

• The four finalists and grand prize winner will be awarded mentorships, personalized UX design and investor consultations, membership to exclusive networks and priority access to fintech events attended by investors and partners around the world.
• Four Finalists
  • Invitation to pitch your solution at Women’s World Banking’s Fintech Innovation Challenge in February 2023 in Dubai as part of the Making Finance Work for Women Summit.
  • Invitation to join Women’s World Banking Global Network, with one-year complementary membership.
  • Fast tracked application to Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship’s Accelerator at Santa Clara University focusing on women’s economic empowerment and climate resilience, which features:
  • Access to a Silicon Valley network of 300+ mentors
  • An average of $750K in investments raised 3-years post-accelerator
  • Exclusive pitch advisory session with Women’s World Banking Asset Management team.
  • Priority access to UX design consultation with an industry expert.
  • Invitation to attend the Making Finance Work for Women Summit in Dubai and leverage networking opportunities with 300+ high-profile global stakeholders in financial services, fintech and financial inclusion.
• Grand Prize Winner
  • Priority access to key 2023 fintech-investor networking events powered by Elevandi, such as Point Zero, Elevandi Connects and/or the Singapore Fintech Festival.
  • Priority access to Women’s World Banking’s global PR firm, Porter Novelli, to help develop strong media presence and drive visibility and exposure
  • Invitation as a featured speaker at a Women’s World Banking Making Finance Work for Women thought leadership event.
  • Automatic membership
• Female Founders Circle
  • For the first time ever, they are forming the Female Founders Circle. All female-founded fintechs that make it to the Top 12 will be granted automatic membership into this premier group.
  • The Female Founders Circle is an exclusive network of like-minded female-founded fintechs that will have full access to Women’s World Banking’s global PR firm, Porter Novelli, helping them achieve new levels of visibility and exposure.

What sets them apart?

• Women-Centered: Exclusive focus on solutions that aim to close the gender gap for women
• Growth Potential: Access to major investor and partnership opportunities to foster growth potential
• Later-Stage Fintechs: Emphasis on attracting later-stage fintechs, rather than start-ups
• Expert Judging Panel: Diverse judging panel of industry experts in fintech, financial inclusion, banking and venture capital
• Access to Broader Community: Opportunity to join and engage with the broader women’s financial inclusion community, such as Women’s World Banking Global Network

Eligibility Criteria

• They invite fintechs who fit the following criteria to apply:
  • Leveraging Technology for Women: You are a fintech leveraging technology to provide financial solutions for underserved, low-income women.
  • Serving Emerging Markets: Your focus is on serving customers in emerging markets.
  • Preparing for Series A or Later: Your fintech is preparing for Series A or later and can demonstrate a minimum viable product and a path to profitability.

For more information, visit https://www.womensworldbanking.org/fintech-innovation-challenge-2023/