Call summary :

Climate change poses one of the most pressing challenges for food systems globally. The impacts of climate change are already happening, and agriculture is expected to be severely affected in locally specific ways. While many proposed climate solutions fail to address interconnected global crises like biodiversity loss, agroecology may be a means to equitably address multiple global crises simultaneously through various approaches that diversify production systems and strengthen regional food systems. When compared to other approaches, agroecology is a bold climate solution.

Still, more research is needed to clearly communicate agroecological performance to climate challenges. For decades, CRFS has funded participatory agroecological research on topics such as soil health, ecological pest and disease management, and agrobiodiversity. This research has generated climate-related benefits for smallholder farmers, yet most of it has not explicitly addressed the risk mitigation or adaptation potential of agroecological strategies. While most recent CRFS-funded projects aim to increase the resilience of smallholder farmers, less than a quarter of them have a climate-focused research component.

We invite innovative proposals for original transdisciplinary research, synthesis, and/or communications on agroecology as a bold climate solution. Proposals will be considered for projects that evaluate the potential for agroecological approaches to make a difference in adapting to, reducing risks, or mitigating climate change for smallholder farmers and regional food systems in CRFS’ regions of focus (the Andes, West Africa, and/or East and Southern Africa). Proposals do not need to limit themselves to biophysical considerations and may include political, social, or economic dimensions of food systems.

Estimated level of funding

The estimated level of funding for this open call will be $400,000. We anticipate making at most 4 awards ranging from $100,000-$400,000 each, with project durations of 1-3 years.

Geographic scope

Proposed projects should have relevance to smallholder farmers and regional food systems in one or more of the CRFS regions of focus: Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador), West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), and/or East and Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi).

EligibilitY

Preference will be given to research teams and organizations in the Global South, or those that have co-leadership with organizations in the Global South.

Application process

Interested applicants should fill out the brief open call inquiry form as soon as possible prior to applying. After hearing back from a program representative that you fit the thematic open call criteria, fill out the full open call application (preview application in PDF or Word). Applications will be accepted from March 1 – May 15, 2024. All applications received will be reviewed after the open call closes. Grant award announcements will be made by September 15, 2024.