Thematic areas for the 100K Strong grant competition revolve around climate action, encompassing topics such as biodiversity protection, bio-economy and sustainable value chains, climate justice, climate technology, conservation and reforestation, endangered/threatened species management and protection
The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the United States Department of State, along with Partners of the Americas and CAF Development Bank of Latin America, have announced the introduction of the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Climate Grant competition.
The grant aims to promote collaboration between US higher education institutions and regional education institutions in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as per a news release.
The 100K Strong Climate and Inclusive Education initiatives, unveiled during the Summit of the Americas, will provide US colleges and universities with expanded opportunities to establish partnerships with Latin American education institutions.
The inaugural 100K Strong competition plans to award six grants, approximately $50,000 each, to support innovative higher education partnerships. These partnerships will focus on developing and implementing climate-centered, inclusive student and faculty exchange programs between the United States and Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay throughout 2023-2024.
US Ambassador Bernadette Meehan lauded the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund for its role in strengthening partnerships and educational systems rooted in shared values. Notably, she highlighted the fund’s efforts to enhance U.S.-Chile ties across higher education, the private sector, and civil society, all aimed at fostering a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable world.
“We are confident that the results of this call will contribute to strengthening the environmental awareness of the new generations and promote a change in our ways of consumption and interaction with the environment. At CAF, we will continue working to promote educational and training initiatives across the Americas, especially those aimed at protecting and caring for our ‘Common Home,” said Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming Christian Asinelli.
John McPhail, president and CEO of Partners of the Americas, emphasized the importance of collaboration through cross-border partnerships among higher education institutions, public and private sectors, and the role they play in expanding climate action and sharing effective models. Partners of the Americas is dedicated to supporting the region’s higher education institutions in these efforts and is excited to enhance strategic partnerships, student training, and climate action.
The competition invites teams from higher education institutions in the U.S. and Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay to form partnerships and submit proposals for creating and implementing new models of inclusive education and exchange programs for students and faculty throughout 2023-24.
The thematic areas for the 100K Strong grant competition revolve around climate action, encompassing topics such as biodiversity protection, bio-economy and sustainable value chains, climate justice, climate technology, conservation and reforestation, endangered-threatened species management and protection, environmental protection, green-climate finance, renewable energy, STEM for climate purposes, sustainable land use, water protection and restoration, and other related areas.
The 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund serves as a platform for public-private sector collaboration. This initiative aims to foster innovative partnerships and inclusive exchanges between the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, involving the active participation of regional private, public, and academic sectors. The ultimate goal is to promote cross-cultural learning experiences for students and faculty across the Americas.
