The SDG Challenge 2024 invites diverse, transdisciplinary teams to develop sustainable solutions addressing development challenges under the UN SDGs, specifically in countries where Irish Aid operates. The challenge focuses on SDG 2: Zero Hunger, targeting innovations in food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition. With funding up to €300,000 for the Concept and Seed phases, successful teams may advance to compete for a follow-on prize of up to €1M. Applications are open to teams from eligible research institutions in Ireland and partner countries, with a deadline of October 8, 2024.

The SDG Challenge 2024 seeks to fund innovative, transdisciplinary teams committed to developing transformative solutions that address key development challenges under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries where Irish Aid operates. This year, the focus is on SDG 2: Zero Hunger, with the goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Objectives
The SDG Challenge aims to:

Generate Impact: Support the creation of solutions that directly contribute to addressing global sustainability issues and the UN SDGs.

Mobilize Teams: Encourage collaboration between academic researchers and societal stakeholders to tackle development challenges with a focus on southern partner countries.

Foster Collaborations: Enable partnerships between researchers in Ireland and those in Irish Aid’s partner countries to co-create impactful solutions.

Develop Sustainable Solutions: Support the development, deployment, and demonstration of sustainable solutions across various application areas.

Themes

This year's challenge encourages innovations in:

Advancing sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems.

Leveraging technology and data to transform food systems with gender-responsive interventions.

Promoting nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices that advance dietary diversity and the importance of genetic diversity in food production.

Fostering climate-resilient and nature-positive production systems.

Exploring the role of blue foods in creating sustainable, resilient, and healthy food systems.

Funding Structure
The SDG Challenge will be run under the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Future Innovator Prize framework, which emphasizes:

Inter and Transdisciplinary Teams: Bringing together diverse experts to solve complex challenges.

Engagement and Validation: Working closely with stakeholders to co-create solutions.

Acceleration: Adapting approaches based on iterative feedback from beneficiaries.

Teams can apply for funding in three phases:

Concept Phase (Months 1-6): Up to €50,000 for initial research and development.

Seed Phase (Months 7-18): Up to €250,000 to further develop and test solutions.

Prize Award: After the Seed Phase, finalists may compete for follow-on funding of up to €1M.

Eligibility and Application

Eligible teams must include researchers from both Ireland and partner countries, with at least two academic researchers (including one in STEM). Teams must have a minimum of three and a maximum of four core members, including:

Team Lead: Responsible for overall project delivery and technical leadership.

Partner Country Co-Lead: Provides relevant expertise and leads research in the partner country.

Team Co-Lead (optional): Offers complementary leadership and expertise.

Societal Impact Champion (optional): Advises on non-technical aspects and helps maximize societal impact.

Application Deadline

Interested teams should submit their applications by October 8, 2024. This is an opportunity to contribute to global sustainability while fostering international collaboration.

For more information and to apply, visit the official SDG Challenge 2024 page.

Apply Here