Category Archives: awards

THE MILKEN-MOTSEPE PRIZE IN CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Application Deadline: 13th August, 2026 at 18:00 UTC

LOCATION: USA

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in Circular Economy calls on scalable companies using technology to enhance circular economy practices across a variety of industries in Africa. Participating companies will also gain access to exclusive networking and the opportunity to pitch to industry leaders and key decision-makers. 

ELIGIBILITY:

The Milken-Motsepe Prize is seeking companies that meet the following eligibility requirements: 

Over 2 years of continuous operation 

Over $500k in revenue and raised capital 

Institutional, corporate, and/or public‑sector partnerships 

Solution currently deployed on the African continent 

Clear evidence of social impact and job creation 

Demonstrated operational readiness to deploy $1M+ in funding

The winning team will demonstrate a commercially viable, technology-enabled circular economy business operating in Africa with a clear path to scale. The business will reduce waste, keep materials in circulation, and deliver measurable environmental and social impact through stronger, more resource-efficient value chains. Teams will be evaluated based on commercial viability, market scalability, workforce and social impact, and circularity and environmental impact. 

Teams from a variety of businesses are encouraged to apply, and teams will be required to submit category-specific metrics from industries such as the following:  

Agriculture & Food Systems

Plastics & Packaging

Electronics

Textiles

Construction & The Built Environment

BENEFIT:
The prize offers $2 million in total prizes, including a $1 million Grand Prize.

Award Rounds:

Application Submission & Semifinalist Announcement: Teams submit their designs and business models. Ten teams will advance in the prize as semifinalists and receive $50,000.

Pitch Event & Finalist Announcement: Semifinalists will pitch their innovations to industry leaders and decision-makers. A panel of judges will select five teams to advance as Finalists and receive $50,000 each.

Grand Prize Submission & Announcement: Finalist companies will submit materials for the grand prize submission (sign into the Prize Portal to view the full rules). The winning team will receive $1 million, and the runner-up will receive $250,000.

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ICGEB ARTURO FALASCHI SMART FELLOWSHIPS – SEPTEMBER 2026

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Expression Of Interest; 30 September 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Full Application

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

The ICGEB SMART Fellowship Programme promotes the Scientific Mobility for Advanced Research Training of researchers between ICGEB Member States as a way of enhancing skill development, acquisition of specific hands-on training in new technologies, and increasing cooperation in science and technology and should provide clear evidence of strong collaboration between the two laboratories.

ELIGIBILITY:

Subject area: Applications are welcome in any area of the Life Sciences.

The call is open to nationals of ICGEB Member States and provides fellowships to scientists in the early stage of their career wishing to spend between 3 and 9 months at a research institution in an ICGEB Member State other than their own. SMART Fellowships are intended to promote collaboration among researchers in ICGEB Member Countries. Mobility support to laboratories located in Italy, India and South Africa can be considered under exceptional circumstances and only if the research activity proposed is not covered by one of the ICGEB laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi or Cape Town. If the latter case applies, please refer to the ICGEB Arturo Falaschi Short-term fellowships programme.

There is no age limit. However, preference is given to young scientists at the beginning of their research career. Applicants should be either registered for a PhD or have obtained their PhD degree within the last 5 years and be actively working in a research Institution.

Young scientists holding an MSc or equivalent can apply. SMART Fellowships support mobility between laboratories located in Member States. Awards are not intended to prolong visits begun under other auspices, to support participation in courses, workshops or symposia or as bridging fellowships between, or prior to, long term stays funded by ICGEB or other organisations.

Documents to be uploaded:

Please note that you will be requested to upload the following documents (pdf files):
Your full CV;
The full CV of the Head of the Receiving Laboratory (complete with list of publications);
A valid identification document (passport or identity card). Recommended passport validity should be 12 months at least.

BENEFIT:

Awards are for a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 9 months. The fellowship covers international economy return travel, health insurance, plus subsistence of the fellow only. The stipend for PhD fellowships is USD 1,500 (one thousand five hundred) per month, while the stipend for Postdoctoral fellowships is USD 2,000 (two thousand). Additionally, a USD 500 monthly bench fee can be paid directly to the receiving laboratory based on the recommendation of the ICGEB Fellowships Committee. The fellowship stipend will be paid by bank transfer directly to the fellow’s bank account. Upon joining the receiving laboratory, ICGEB will transfer the bench fee allocation to the receiving laboratory, which will be responsible for the management of the funds and the certification of expenditures to ICGEB. The receiving laboratory is expected to ensure that adequate provisions are in place for the specific research project and to make the bench fee allocation available to the ICGEB SMART Fellow immediately, free from any administrative overhead costs. ICGEB makes no financial provision, nor can it provide administrative support for family members of participants in the programme.

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