The SAIS Accelerator (Scaling Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups) offers a one-year, equity-free programme for technology-driven African start-ups in dairy and aquaculture. Participants receive up to €15,000 in technical assistance budget and an additional sector conference, plus investor introductions and pitch sessions. Eligible start-ups can later apply for a Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 and working capital loans of up to €50,000. Applicants must be for-profit and registered in Africa. Priority areas are dairy animal health, genetics and feed (Kenya and Ethiopia) and aquaculture genetics and feed (Nigeria and Senegal), though start-ups elsewhere in Africa are welcome. The deadline is 15 November 2026. Details here
Africa
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Rapid Crisis Response and Strengthen Rural Resilience
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) invites national and large sub-national farmers’ organizations to design and run targeted interventions for smallholder farmers hit by compounding crises. Applicants choose one primary pillar: access to inputs and production support, small-scale infrastructure, access to finance, or access to markets and market information. A total of US$500,000 is available, with two projects expected at up to US$250,000 each for up to 12 months. The call covers 20 priority countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mozambique, Haiti, Cuba, Honduras, Bolivia, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Chad. Applicants must be legally registered non-profit farmers’ organizations whose members are mainly smallholders. The deadline is 20 November 2026. Know more
Earth Journalism Network — Story Grants to Report on Mining, Environment and Human Rights in Africa
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers up to 10 story grants of up to US$2,000 each to journalists in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Africa for in-depth reporting on mining, the environment and human rights. Story themes include mercury and cyanide contamination from small-scale gold mining, community displacement and land rights violations, the accountability of international mining companies, the suppression of environmental defenders, post-mining rehabilitation, and the local costs of the “green minerals” boom. Early-career and experienced journalists, freelancers and groups of journalists (applying through one lead applicant) can apply. Applications are accepted in English or French. The deadline is 01 December 2026. Story Grants to Report on Mining
WAAW Foundation — STEM Scholarships for African Women
The WAAW Foundation supports African women who seek a STEM-focused college education. The Foundation offers a need-based scholarship of US$500 to undergraduate female African students. Applicants have to be under 32 years old and be enrolled in an undergraduate B.S. degree program at a University or college in Africa. Eligible courses include Agriculture, Biology, Botany, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Zoology and many other fields. Application closes on 18 December 2026. Link to the WAAW Foundation
International Center for Journalists — Award for Excellence in African Storytelling
The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling honors journalists in Africa who strengthen people’s voices and show the transformational change taking place on the continent. The ICFJ seeks a wide variety of topics, not limited to health and social issues. This includes stories and initiatives about global climate change, development challenges, or the environment. The winner receives a US$5 thousand cash prize. The deadline to apply is 08 January 2027. Visit the website
University of Antwerp — Masters Program in Development Studies
The University of Antwerp’s Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB) offers three specializations for one-year master’s programs in development studies. Topics include poverty, climate change, conflict, good governance, sustainable development, and others. The Institute of Development Policy awards scholarships to students from many countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America for studies at Belgian universities that include Antwerp’s IOB. Candidates applying for an ICP Connect scholarship have to submit their application by 01 February 2027. Link
Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study — Fellowships for Early-Career African Researchers
The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) offers the Iso Lomso Fellowships to early-career African researchers in any discipline. The program provides a three-year attachment to STIAS in addition to the possibility of a residency at a sister institute for advanced study in North America, Europe, or elsewhere. Other benefits include support for attending international conferences or workshops and support to the fellow’s home institution for lecturer replacement. The program is aimed at African scholars who have obtained a doctoral degree within the preceding eight years, and who hold an academic position at a university or research institution anywhere in Africa. The application deadline is 15 February 2027. About
Embassy of Japan — Grants for Grassroots Projects in Uganda
The Embassy of Japan in Uganda provides financial assistance to non-profit, development-oriented organizations in support of community development projects in Uganda. Any projects geared towards grassroots assistance are eligible for financing, including water and sanitation, disaster relief, and agricultural development. The grant amount per project is generally under 10 million yen (approx. US$100 thousand). Potential recipients are international or local NGOs, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and local governments. The Embassy receives concept papers anytime throughout the year, but the selection process is conducted twice a year with deadlines on 15 February and 15 June.. More about this opportunity
EnAccess Foundation — Innovations for Energy Access
The EnAccess Foundation funds Innovation Pilot projects and Moonshot concepts focusing on providing energy access. EnAccess provides up to US$250 thousand for projects that are ready to be built and prototyped (e.g., hardware, software, business models) and US$50 thousand for ambitious research ideas in the conceptual stage (e.g., analysis and modeling). Eligibility extends to start-ups, companies, non-profits, individual innovators, investors, and researchers. Moonshot concepts and Innovation Pilot proposals can be submitted anytime. Energy Access
ICPAC — Youth4Climate Services Innovation Hackathon
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) will hold a regional hackathon in Kenya, to identify, test and promote youth-led innovations that improve the delivery, accessibility, relevance and use of climate services. Participants must be 18 to 35 years old and nationals of, or based in, an IGAD member state. Participants present their solutions to technical experts, an evaluation panel and potential partners. Applications close on 06 November 2026. Know more