Innovation & Smart Cities: May 2025 Funding Opportunities
Includes multi sector innovation and research opportunities, R&D Centers, AI and Digital Technology, and smart cities.
The grants are organized into three categories:
Open Calls: Current grant and opportunities with a deadline. Grants are listed by closing date.
Rolling Applications: current grant and opportunities with rolling applications (but it’s still best to submit as early as possible).
Long term planning: Grants that have closed their current rounds, but are expected to open new windows.
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Open Calls:
Research-Industry Grants for International Collaboration, The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). *Closing Soon!*
Seeking applications from Australian organizations collaborating on key areas of science and technology with priority partner countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Applicants must focus on one of five priority themes and include at least one priority partner country. Priority themes: advanced manufacturing; quantum computing; artificial intelligence; hydrogen production; RNA (including mRNA) vaccines and therapies. Priority countries: Brazil; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; New Zealand; Singapore; Thailand; Vietnam
Geographies: Australia and Priority countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
Who can apply: Project must be led by Australian organization, including for-profit or non-profit, Publicly Funded Research Organisation (PFRO), and Cooperative Research Centre.
Funding amount: AUD $100,000 - AUD $1M. Total of $6.3M available.
Targeted Sectors/ SDGs: Innovation, research
Deadline: May 4, 2025 for Expressions of Interest.
2025 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge, SVG Ventures. *Closing this month!*
The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge is on a mission to discover the most innovative startups tackling the biggest challenges in agri-food systems. This year, they are seeking groundbreaking solutions across six key themes driving transformation in the agrifood industry: Regenerative Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence & Automation, Animal Health & Nutrition, Clean Energy & Climate Tech, Water & Waste Management, Post Harvest & FoodTech. Three finalists from each of the six themes will be selected to pitch at the THRIVE Global Impact Summit in Silicon Valley, and the winning company will receive the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge Award in addition to investment from SVG Ventures up to $1M USD.
Geographies: Global.
Who can apply: Early-stage startups or entrepreneurs at the seed to Series A stage.
Funding amount: Winner will receive an investment from SVG Ventures up to $1M USD.
Targeted Sectors/ SDGs: Agriculture, food, innovation, climate, energy, AI.
Deadline: May 25, 2025.
Prize for Cities 2025-2026: Catalyzing Healthy Cities, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. *Closing this month!*
The WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities recognizes trailblazing projects and initiatives for their contribution to inclusive and sustainable urban transformation. It seeks to inspire urban change-makers across the globe by amplifying lessons and telling impactful stories of transformative change. This Prize cycle invites submissions from projects leading the way in strengthening livability, nature and cities together for healthy, accessible and thriving communities.
Geographies: Global.
Who can apply: Businesses, NGOs, community groups, local governments and collaborations of all types of organizations and individuals from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors may apply.
Funding amount: $250,000 will be awarded to one grand prize winner and $25,000 each to four runners up.
Targeted Sectors/ SDGs: Cities, urban environments, innovation, health.
Deadline: May 28, 2025.
AWS Imagine Grant Program, Amazon Web Services (AWS). *New!*
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