July 2010: The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has opened its biennial call for proposals to access funds from the $10 million Benefit-sharing Fund. The thematic focus for this call is on ensuring sustainable food security by assisting farmers to adapt to climate change through activities related to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.

Funded projects should meet the priorities of the Benefit-sharing Fund, namely: information exchange, technology transfer and capacity building; management and conservation of plant genetic resources; and the sustainable use of plant genetic resources. The treaty has two funding windows on strategic action plans and immediate action projects. The call for grants is open to any governmental or non-governmental organization (NGO) based in contracting parties to the treaty eligible for funding. Applications are open until 8 September 2010. [The Call for Proposals]