The Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) honors and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency, or saving cost in Africa. Priority areas for the IPA include agriculture and agribusiness; environment, energy, and water; and others. The competition is open to African entrepreneurs, academics, and inventors — and to Africans in the Diaspora if their innovations are of significance for Africa. Prizes are US$100 thousand for the winner, plus two other prizes of US$25 thousand each. Additionally, finalists will receive a voucher for US$5 thousand in post-prize technical support to assist in moving their innovations to the next step. The deadline for applications is 10 January 2018. Link
Africa
Earth Journalism Network — Journalism Grants to Support Fisheries in West Africa
The Earth Journalism Network offers reporting grants to support fisheries and environment journalism in West Africa. Working Journalists (online, print, television), expert media practitioners, and freelancers based in West African countries are welcome to apply. EJN is offering up to $500 per grant. Deadline for applications is 13 November 2017. More about the opportunity.
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa — Africa Scholarship 2017
The Gbowee Peace Foundation awards scholarships for postgraduate masters at the University of Dundee (Scotland). Subjects areas include environmental science, energy petroleum and mineral law and policy, and others. The Africa Scholarships are open to female students who are currently Liberian, Nigerian or Ghanaian nationals permanently resident in these countries. The scholarship offers up to £ 20 thousand for tuition and living expenses. Closing date for applications is 17 November 2017. More about this scholarship opportunity
Water Joint Programming Initiative — Water Resource Management
The Water JPI aims to enable transnational, collaborative research, development and innovation projects addressing questions relating to water challenges. Proposals are invited on the topic “Water resource management in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”. Only proposals submitted by transnational consortia will be eligible (each consortium must be composed of at least a minimum of three eligible partners from three different countries). Eligibility extends to universities, public research institutions, private non-profit organisations, and private companies. The requested budget per proposal must not exceed € 1.5 million. Deadline for applications is 11 December 2017. Call Announcement
Euromena Consulting — Awards for African Start-ups
Euromena Consulting launches the first edition of its Euromena Awards. The awards are intended for companies or innovative projects with social, economic, environmental and/or societal impact. Proposed projects should be related to Africa and/or be established in the region. The three winners will receive coaching and support for 6 months and share a €10 thousand financial reward. Applications must be sent before 22 October 2017. Find out more
Inspire Africa — Training Program for African Entrepreneurs
Inspire Africa’s Train-the-Trainers is funded by the US Embassy Consulate (Lagos, Nigeria) and designed to empower young business leaders across Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania. Thematic areas may fall into one or more categories of the Terra Viva Grants Directory. Participation is free and accommodation, food and transportation during program will be provided for all selected participants. Applicant must have an existing start-up business or a well-researched business idea awaiting implementation. The application deadline is 23 October 2017. Register for Train the Trainers Program
Visionaria Network — Promoting Improved Cookstoves in East Africa
Visionaria Network welcomes applications for support from the Empowered Entrepreneur Training Fund (EETF). EETF partially subsidizes training to sell cookstoves and other energy products in East Africa. The EETF will train entrepreneurs and sales agents – particularly women – who sell or contribute to the value chain of improved cookstoves. The EETF will cover the costs up to US$5 thousand of certified trainers to lead the training, and 50% of the logistical costs of the training. The application deadline is 12 October 2017. Find out more
French Development Research Institute — Doctoral Research in Agro-Ecology for West Africans
France’s IRD is partnering with the Francophone University Association to support a dozen doctoral research projects in agro-ecology for applicants from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. The application deadline is 31 October 2017. About the program
European Commission — Agricultural Growth in Zimbabwe
The EC announces funding to strengthen Zimbabwe’s agricultural research, education, and extension services. The lead applicant must be a nonprofit organization established in Zimbabwe; in countries eligible under the European Development Fund; in a member state of the European Union; or a contracting party to the agreement on the European Economic Areas. Grants will range from €5 million to €6 million, varying with cost shares, for projects of 36 to 54 months. Reference EuropeAid/157721/DD/ACT/ZW. The deadline for submitting concept notes is 14 November 2017. Find the call
Climate Technology Initiative — Women’s Energy Projects in West Africa
The Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN), in partnership with other organizations, invites applications to facilitate the initiation and management of commercially viable energy projects by women entrepreneurs in West Africa. At least 10 projects or businesses will receive coaching support from experienced professionals for the development of a financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable business plan. The application deadline is 20 November 2017. Learn how to apply