Vital Voices offers GROW Fellowships to women entrepreneurs who own small and medium-sized businesses. The program includes customized business skills training, technical assistance, leadership development, and access to networks to grow their businesses. Thematic business areas may include agriculture, fisheries, and forestry with potential for growth. A limited number of need and merit-based scholarships will be available. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2025. GROW Fellowships
Africa
African Development Bank — Agri-Food Financing
Seed Lab offers capacity building supporting agri-food businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. Prioritization will be given to businesses with integrated gender-inclusive and climate-resilient practices. The 3-month program offers help with strategic planning, financial management, business operations, and leadership, to support sustainable growth. The deadline for applications is 25 April 2025. More information
Village Capital — Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa
Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa 2025 is a program that supports climate-focused startups in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Village Capital seeks entrepreneurs focused on climate adaptation, renewable energy, blue economy, and food security solutions. Participants will access mentorship, investor connections, financial modeling support, and exposure opportunities. Eligibility extends to for-profit entities in the target countries. Applications close on 30 April 2025. Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship Africa
L’Oreal and UNESCO — Young Women in Science South Africa
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program supports the involvement of young women in scientific research. This program rewards young female researchers in life and environmental sciences, material sciences, mathematics, computer and information sciences, engineering sciences, and technology. Researchers will receive $8 thousand to support their doctoral or postdoctoral research studies. The doctoral candidates must work in a research laboratory, institute, or university in South Africa. Applications have to be submitted by 20 May 2025. Women in Science
Watson Institute — Education in Social Entrepreneurship
The Watson Institute offers a 16-week program designed for entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their ventures with access to a global network, training designed to strengthen skills, and mentorship with seasoned professionals, venture capitalists, and executives. Fellows can earn up to US$6,000 in seed funding for their venture. Eligibility extends to entrepreneurs leading an early-stage social impact venture, with a preference to applicants from the USA, Brazil, China, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The Watson Institute accepts applications until 22 June 2025. Link
Association of Commonwealth Universities — Fellowships
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) provides fellowships for the academic and professional staff to facilitate collaboration at a distance and the creation of valuable new partnerships between ACU member universities across the Commonwealth. ACU provides financial support of up to £5,000 per fellowship. Applications close on 26 June 2025. ACU Fellowships
Africa Food Prize — Call for Nominations 2025
The Africa Food Prize honors outstanding contributions to agriculture and food production in the challenge to combat hunger and reduce poverty in Africa. The Prize can be awarded for a specific contribution or achievement, or a series of efforts and results within the last few years. Nominations are open to qualified candidates irrespective of their nationalities, professions, or locations. The Prize is US$100 thousand (to be shared if there is more than one winner), a diploma, and a trophy. The deadline for nominations (English, French) is 27 June 2025. Find the prize
Mastercard Foundation — Scholars Program at the University of Pretoria
The Mastercard Foundation supports economically disadvantaged yet academically gifted youth in Africa who are committed to effecting positive change on the continent. The Scholars Program at the University of Pretoria provides financial support (tuition, accommodation, learning materials, transportation, and monthly stipend) for studies in all subject areas; however, there is a preference for science students (including agriculture and natural resources). Applicants must prove critical economic needs to be eligible. Applications close on 30 June 2025. Scholars Program
International Elephant Foundation — Elephant Conservation and Research 2025
The International Elephant Foundation makes grants for the conservation and research of elephants. Eligibility extends to organizations and individuals internationally — including students, scientists, and institutions. The Foundation supports in situ or ex-situ conservation of African or Asian elephants or their habitats. Most awards are about US$15 thousand for one year. The application deadline for short pre-proposals is 01 August 2025. Click here
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation — Environmental Grant Making
The Mott Foundation funds grants in the United States and, on a limited geographic basis, internationally. The theme “Environment” supports projects around the world that protect communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The program “Transforming Development Finance” aims to guard against unwise capital investments in large-scale dams, extractive industries, and other major projects which threaten environmental sustainability and local economic opportunity in China, Latin America, and other regions of the developing world. The program “Advancing Climate Change Solutions” makes grants to reduce policy and financial barriers to investments in clean energy, and to provide technical assistance and networking opportunities to communities in the Amazon and Sub-Saharan Africa. Letters of inquiry are accepted all year. Info for Grantseekers