The KBF Africa Prize is awarded to Africans or African organizations who are making an outstanding contribution to development in Africa. There are no restrictions as to the chosen themes. The Selection Committee favors community approaches that deal with actual and current challenges in Africa. The winners receive financial support of up to €250 thousand. Self-nomination is not permitted. The deadline for nominations is 03 March 2025. Find out how to nominate a candidate
Africa
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS-Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Biological Sciences. Eligible nominees are female scientists national of a low-income African country. The prize is a US$5 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 14 May 2025. Award in Biological Sciences
OceanHub Africa — Acceleration Program
OceanHub Africa supports African for-profit startups focused on preserving and restoring the health of the ocean. The 6-month acceleration program provides mentorship, services, software, fundraising support, and a network of leading ocean experts, mentors (entrepreneurs, investors, innovation experts, impact experts, scientists, lawyers, etc.), impact investors, and potential clients. Eligibility extends to for-profit start-ups operating in Africa and with a clear focus on ocean issues (e.g., climate change, pollution, or overexploitation). The application deadline is 27 December 2025. OceanHub Africa
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Rwanda and Burundi
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Rwanda and Burundi. CFLI provides funding to projects that focus on environment and climate action, as well as on water sanitation management. The average contribution is C$20 thousand to C$35 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to not-for-profit local, national, or community-based organizations. The deadline for submission is 10 January 2025. CFLI Rwanda and Burundi
Cornell University — Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces
The Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) fellowship program announces its annual call for research proposals. STAARS Fellows will be paired with researcher mentors from Cornell University or the World Bank with whom they will jointly author a paper on a topic of mutual interest relating to structural transformation in Africa south of the Sahara. The call is open to early career researchers, either Ph.D. students in their final year prior to degree completion. The selected applicants will receive funds to cover travel and participation in a three-week mentorship program. The deadline to submit a research proposal is 17 January 2025. Link to STAARS Fellowship
Cultural Survival — Indigenous Community Media Fund
The Indigenous Community Media Fund provides opportunities for Indigenous community radio stations and media outlets to strengthen their broadcast infrastructure and systems. Indigenous community radio stations can apply for a grant of up to US$8 thousand. Radio networks represented by at least three or more Indigenous radio stations can apply for funding of up to US$12 thousand. Proposed projects must be completed within a period of 6 to 10 months. Indigenous communities in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 26 January 2025. Indigenous Community Media Fund
Industrial Development Cooperation — Green Tourism Incentive Program
The Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) seeks applications for the Green Tourism Incentive Program (GTIP). The key objective is to encourage privately owned tourism enterprises in South Africa to adopt responsible tourism practices by installing solutions to reduce their energy and water consumption and costs. The GTIP offers grant funding from 50% to 90% of the total cost of approved energy and water efficiency solutions. The application deadline is 28 February 2025. Green Tourism Incentive Program
Rainforest Trust — Creating New Protected Areas
The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The application deadlines are 01 March, 01 June, and 01 November 2025. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Link
French Committee for International Solidarity — Grants for Family Agriculture in West Africa 2025
The French Committee for International Solidarity (Comité Français pour la Solidarité Internationale – CFSI), in partnership with Fondation de France, funds projects that support small-scale farming in West Africa. Grants will support projects carried out by partnerships between European and West African nonprofit legal entities, research and training organizations in the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Projects can range from one to three years. Grants are a maximum of €15 thousand per year or €50 thousand in the case of a 3-year project. The deadline for project summaries (French, English) is 06 March 2025. Find the call
Bridges for Enterprise — Business Incubation Program for Social Enterprises
Bridges for Enterprise (BfE) works with social impact startups from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The Incubation Program supports entrepreneurs seeking to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges. The program is open to for-profit and non-profit social enterprises and startups at the pre-seed or seed stage. Participating entrepreneurs receive 3 to 4 months of professional advice and mentorship. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis year-round. However, social entrepreneurs must submit their application before specific deadlines to be considered for specific cohorts: 01 April (Autumn Cohort) and 01 October (Spring Cohort). Link