Dear Friends of HESN, 

We hope you are enjoying the start of what is sure to be a wonderful summer! TechCon planning is well underway. The Innovation Marketplace competition at TechCon will showcase the talent of students and young innovators who are using science, technology, innovation and partnerships to tackle global challenges. If you're interested, applications are due by May 31 . In non-TechCon news, we're excited to share with you a collection of upcoming events, grants, learning opportunities, and job openings that have circulated through our Network. If you have an opportunity that we can distribute in our next issue, please send it to Danielle Somers ( dsomers@usaid.gov ).

All the best, 
The HESN Team






Funding Opportunities


The Combating Zika and Future Threats: A Grand Challenge for Development invites global problem solvers to answer the call for groundbreaking ideas to enhance our ability to respond to the current Zika outbreak and generate cutting-edge technologies and approaches that better prepare the world to address disease threats of tomorrow. The Challenge will invest up to $30 million in solutions that can help mitigate the spread and impact of the Zika virus by filling critical gaps in the pipeline, and improve our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to future infectious disease outbreaks. The Challenge seeks innovative ideas that address key challenges and opportunities in vector control, personal and household protection, healthcare worker safety, surveillance, clinic and laboratory systems, diagnostics, sample transport, community engagement, and health care worker tools. S ubmissions for Zika-focused ideas are due on May 20, 2016 and all others are due on June 17, 2016.  Learn more .
The Innovation Exchange is a marketplace that connects funders, innovators, users and solution seekers and gives them the tools to maximize their ability to meet the largest, most pressing development challenges. Use the Exchange to find, share and help breakthrough innovations; search for funding; connect with other resources to test and scale innovations; and stay on top of the latest trends in development innovation. Create a profile to see how the Exchange can help you get started.

Applications for the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Fund are now open! This new funding competition aims to source, support, and feature the most effective, high-impact college student entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide by providing critical, early-stage seed funding. Selected scholars will receive funding to advance projects that fit CGI's Commitments to Action model and an invitation to attend CGI U 2017. Pre-applications must be submitted by June 27. Apply here .

Science/AAAS and SciLifeLab, a coordinated effort of four universities, have joined forces in creating the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists. Both Science/AAAS and SciLifeLab recognize that global economic health is dependent upon a vibrant research community and we need to incent our best and brightest to continue in their chosen fields of research. Application deadline: August 1. Apply here .

DIV holds a year-round grant competition for innovative ideas, pilots and tests them using cutting-edge analytical methods, and scales solutions that demonstrate widespread impact and cost-effectiveness. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis . Apply here .

The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) invests in social innovations that aim to improve the lives and opportunities of millions of people in the developing world. Through grants and risk capital, it supports breakthrough solutions with strong potential for social impact at a large scale. Financial support ranges from $50,000 to $15 million. GIF is open and accepting applications on a rolling basis . Learn more and apply here .



University Research Co (URC), on behalf of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development Partners (USAID, World Vision, and the Australian Government) and the Global Book Fund, is requesting proposals from responsible organizations interested in using Enabling Writers book writing software to develop hundreds of new book titles for young children in developing countries. Read the Request for Proposal.

Digital Learning for Development and the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development Partners have also released an Expression of Interest for the development of a Guidebook on Digital Game Development for Early Literacy. The Guidebook is intended as an evidence-based practical guide to game developers, instructional designers, early literacy researchers and practitioners, education leaders, and international and national agencies for designing, developing and deploying effective digital games for early literacy learning in developing countries. Download the Call for Expressions of Interest.
Events

Ann Arbor, MI
June 3-6, 2016
The International Conference on Information & Communication Technologies and Development is a research conference that explores the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in global development. The conference reflects the multidisciplinary and multisectoral nature of ICTD work, with representation from a broad range of areas (anthropology, communication, computer science, design, economics, electrical engineering, geography, global health, information science, political science, sociology, and many others), as well as participation from academia, industry, civil society, and government. Register by May 30 here .
Washington, DC
June 7-8, 2016
The Social Innovation Summit is a twice annual event taking place in Washington, DC and Silicon Valley, that represents a global convening of black swans and wayward thinkers. Where most bring together luminaries to explore the next big idea, we bring together those hungry not just to talk about the next big thing, but to build it. Register today .

Glasgow, Scotland
September 5-7, 2016
The Social Innovation Research Conference, hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University, is the world's leading interdisciplinary social innovation research conference. The conference gathers scholars from across the globe to discuss social innovation from a variety of perspectives. Learn more here .

Washington, DC
September 28-30, 2016
The Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit convenes influencers who create and implement innovative solutions. Now in its 10th year, the Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit is designed to increase the impact, scale, and sustainability of youth economic opportunity programming. Learn more and register here.
Job Openings

AidData is currently hiring for a number of openings, including an Administrative Coordinator, Junior Program Manager, and Research Analyst. Check them all out here (Williamsburg, VA).

Each month, IDIN  shares dozens of opportunities with its Network members, students, and other interested individuals, many of which you can find posted here (Multiple locations).

Work with IDIN Network members around the globe.

D-Lab is currently recruiting an Executive Director. D-Lab is an interdisciplinary program at MIT working with a global network of innovators to design and disseminate technologies that meaningfully improve the lives of people living in poverty. More information about this opportunity here (Cambridge, MA).

Are you passionate about using technology to solve energy access problems and thus economically empower local communities? Community Edge Enterprises , a social enterprise that has developed the IEsteem Briquetting Project to increase the transfer, adoption, and utilization of briquettes in Zambia, is looking for a Production Process Officer and Communications Officer (Sinda District, Zambia).

Operation ASHA is dedicated to bringing tuberculosis treatment and health services to the poorest of the poor in India's urban slums and rural villages. They are among the world's largest NGOs in tuberculosis treatment and prevention, making these services available to more than 6.1 million people who have little access to basic healthcare, let alone medicines to treat TB. Operation ASHA is currently hiring a Fundraising Consultant and Intern (Chicago, IL and New Delhi, India).
Other Opportunities

The Securing Water for Food Grand Challenge for Development is seeking volunteer application evaluators to review incoming concept notes from water innovators from across the globe. Evaluators will be responsible for concept note analysis and scoring of applications for SWFF Round 4, using SWFF's established criteria. Key metrics include technical viability, applicability to developing countries, and business viability. Grand Challenge application evaluators should be undergraduate seniors or graduate students with a background in water, agriculture, technology innovation, or business (particularly those in an MBA program). More details can be found here . Students can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to swffinterns@gmail.com by July 13, 2016 .

Bootcamp on Design and Manufacture of BoP Products: This online bootcamp is an introduction to design for manufacturability and choosing manufacturers in the context of products in BoP markets. The course is intended for start-up or product development teams who have a working prototype of a BoP product that is ready to be designed for manufacturability and put into production. Students or professionals who are generally interested in the topic are also welcome. The signup period closes on June 1, 2016! The bootcamp will run from June 6th until July 4th, 2016. Register here.

Siemens Stiftung just launched a new self-assessment tool for social entrepreneurs. Click here to download a copy.

TechChange provides online professional development in technology and social change. Check out their current list of online courses you can take from the comfort of your laptop.
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