Request for Proposals: 100K CLIMA Grant Competition (US and Colombia)

Deadline: 31 January 2024

Partners of the Americas (POA) and the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State (WHA/DOS) invite all higher education institutions (HEIs) from the United States and Colombia to create partnerships and submit proposals for consideration in the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Climate Initiative (100K Strong CLIMA).

This 100K Strong CLIMA competition is designed to stimulate and support innovative, inclusive partnerships between teams of HEIs that will create and implement climate-focused student and faculty exchange and training programs and climate action projects between the United States and Colombia.

Goals

The goals of the 100K Strong CLIMA initiative include the following:
- Expand access to innovative, climate-focused, inclusive exchange and training programs for students in fields such as climate resilience, renewable energy, green economy, and other related thematic areas.
- Stimulate inter-regional partnerships to expand climate-action and inclusive education opportunities.
- Support inclusive climate action projects (CAPs) led by HEIs in the U.S. and LAC.

Options

The two options are:
- Option #1: Proposals focused on innovative, inclusive student/faculty exchanges.
- Option #2: Proposals that include climate research connected to climate action projects (CAPs) and student/faculty exchange and training programs.

Thematic Areas

Option #1
- Agriculture
  - Agroforestry systems
  - Climate-Smart Agriculture
  - Sustainable and Renewable Agriculture and Food Security
  - Sustainable Land Use
  - Sustainable Value Chains
- Climate Technology
  - Energy Efficiency
  - Electric Mobility
  - Green Innovation for Climate Change and Energy Transition
  - Technology and Data Analytics to measure, capture, and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Conservation and Reforestation
  - Biodiversity Protection
  - Community Conservation Practices
  - Endangered/Threatened Species Management and Protection
  - Forest Conservation and Restoration
  - Nature-Based Solutions
  - Natural Resource Management
  - Water Conservation and Sustainable Management
  - Decarbonization and Electrification
  - Carbon Capture and Storage
  - Control of fugitive emissions (CH4) and leaks in electric power substations (SF6)
  - Production, Storage and Transportation of Green Hydrogen
- Design, Architecture and Construction of Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
  - Renewable Energy
  - Generation and Management of Renewable Energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydraulic, and bioenergy)
  - Renewable Energy Storage
  - Renewable Energy Engineering
  - Renewable Energy Transmission
Option #2
- Agriculture
- Circular Economy
  - Solid Waste Management, linking to circular economy
  - Integrated farming systems
- Climate Justice
- Conservation and Reforestation
- Integrated Management for Sustainable Cities
  - Energy Efficiency in Cities and Production Systems
- Public Health and Climate
- Sustainable Design, Architecture and Construction
- Sustainable/Electric Transportation
  - Promotion of Sustainable Mobility
  - Reduction of Emissions Generated by the Transportation Sector
- Water
  - Conservation and Restoration of Water Basins
  - Promotion and Efficient Use of Water for Cities and Sustainable Production Systems
  - Water Restoration and Protection

Funding Information

The intent of this 100K CLIMA competition is to award up to sixteen (16) grants – pending the results of the 100K proposal evaluation and final selection process. The grants will be distributed according to the following:
- Approximately eleven (11) grants up to $27,174 each for inclusive student/faculty exchange and training programs.
- Approximately five (5) grants up to $50,000 each for proposed programs that include inclusive student/faculty exchanges and climate research/climate action projects (CAPs).

Grant Period

All proposed 100K Strong CLIMA program activities, including planning and implementation, must take place during June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

All higher education institutions (HEIs) located and legally registered in the United States and Colombia are eligible to apply for this 100K Strong CLIMA Grant Competition.
The 100K Strong program seeks a diversity of HEIs to create and implement innovative, inclusive, sustainable exchange programs for diverse students and faculty. This 100K CLIMA competition seeks proposals from all HEIs, including two-year and four-year degree-issuing universities/colleges (public & private).
First-time applicants and/or applicants those that have not previously received a 100K Strong grant are also encouraged to submit proposals.
Grant proposals must include a team of at least one HEI based in the U.S. and one HEI in based in Colombia. Additional HEIs can be added to proposals; however, this is not required. 100K Strong grant proposals can involve new partnerships and/or build on existing partnerships.
In order to increase the diversity of participating institutions, the Review Committee reserves the right to give preference to institutions that have not previously received Innovation Fund grants; however, all HEIs (including previous grant winners) are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit 100,000 Strong in the Americas.