The Mo Ibrahim Foundation financially supports the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship position in the African Development Bank. The Fellowship allows talented individuals to increase and enhance their professional capacity, with the intention of contributing to the governance and development of their countries. The Fellowship is for young professionals, mid-career, and/or new executives who are nationals of an African country, residing anywhere in the world. The application deadline is 20 November 2025. More
Africa
World Wildlife Fund — Faculty Fellowship
The Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program provides funding support to current and aspiring university faculty that are affiliated with or currently employed at African, Asian, and Latin American and Caribbean universities. Applicants may apply for up to three years of funding and request up to US$30 thousand per year. The deadline to apply is 18 December 2025. Faculty Fellowship
HawkWatch International — Global Raptor Research & Conservation Grant
HawkWatch International invites local researchers to apply for grants supporting research or conservation work on threatened, understudied raptor species worldwide. Applicants may request up to $3,500, with up to three grants awarded per year; prior recipients may apply for one additional year of continued funding. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the country where the project takes place, affiliated with a registered NGO or university there, and working on a species ranked as high-priority under HawkWatch’s own scoring system, which combines extinction risk with evolutionary distinctiveness and research neglect. Projects based in the USA, Canada, or Europe are not eligible, nor are proposals submitted in any language other than English. All grant activities must be completed within 18 months. The application deadline is 31 December 2026. More information
UK PACT — Nature-Based Solutions in Kenya
The Kenya–UK PACT accepts proposals for high-impact, demand-informed Nature-Based Solutions projects that support Kenya’s just climate transition and align with national priorities. The call is open to not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions, and community groups). Funding ranges from £400 thousand to £650 thousand per project. Proposals are due 26 September 2025. Kenya–UK PACT
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit — Investment in African Agribusiness
The GIZ ‘Scaling Digital Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups’ (SAIS) Investment Readiness Program seeks to scale digital innovations developed by African start-ups that enable their users in the agricultural or food sector to increase their income. Participating start-ups will receive virtual coaching and training sessions, in-person workshops, and access to service providers. This opportunity is aimed at start-ups (for-profit businesses) registered in Africa with scalable digital solutions with a clear positive impact on income in the agricultural and/or food sector. Applications have to be received online by 28 September 2025. Find the GIZ-SAIS Investment Readiness Program
Nigeria Energy Forum — Africa Energy Innovation Competition 2025
NEF invites applications for the Africa Energy Ideas Competition which aims to accelerate the development of early-stage energy firms across Africa. The competition is open to early-stage energy entrepreneurs from Africa to collaborate with local research institutions or industries. Young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 years from Africa are invited to participate and nominate a relevant local research institution or organization. Winners will pitch their proposed prototype model at the Nigeria Energy Forum and receive a cash prize of up to $10 thousand. The deadline for proposal submission is 15 September 2025. Click here
African Development Bank — Japan–Africa Dream Scholarship
The Japan–Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program supports African nationals (aged 35 or younger) to pursue two-year master’s degrees in fields like energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. To be eligible, candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend (approximately ¥150,000 JPY, including housing), round‑trip airfare, health insurance, and may include additional support—such as research grants, internship allowances, and preparatory courses. The deadlines for enrollment applications for April 2026 are 16 September 2025, and for September 2026 enrollment, 12 November 2025 or 9 January 2026. Link
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
Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation — Changemakers Innovation Challenge
The Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation seeks applications for the Changemakers Innovation Challenge. The challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises across Africa who are using technological/digital tools to create innovative social solutions. Focus areas include health, environment, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Proposed projects must have a maximum life cycle of 12 months and benefit African communities. The challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises across Africa. The application deadline is 22 August 2025. Changemakers
Africa Earth Observation Challenge — Addressing Development Challenges
The Africa Earth Observation Challenge (AEO Challenge) is an open innovation competition aimed at fostering African early‑stage businesses across all sectors that leverage Earth Observation data to tackle pressing development challenges—such as climate change, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, natural resource monitoring, sustainable development, and healthcare. Eligible applicants must be based anywhere in Africa. Finalists and winners receive a comprehensive support package including cash prizes totaling up to US$10 thousand distributed among the top three teams. The application deadline is 29 August 2025. Africa Earth Observation Challenge