The Blue Economy Accelerator focuses on Blue economy startups from Africa. The program is designed to support women and youth-owned, ocean-based enterprises to sustain business growth through facilitating access to financing, business support, and technology adoption. The program will secure investment from a pre-selected pool of investors focusing on early stage funding of up to US$500 thousand. The application window will close on 29 August 2021. Blue Economy Accelerator
Africa
United States Agency for International Development — Soybean Value Chain Research Program
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a five year cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Soybean Value Chain Research program. The purpose of the Soybean Innovation Lab is to develop evidence-based technologies and practices across the soy market systems in Africa. USAID intends to provide $10 million in total USAID core funding over a five year period. Eligibility extends to institutions of higher education. Applications close 17 September 2021. Link
Access Bank W Initiative — Support for African Female Entrepreneurs
Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa is a women-in-business support initiative that provides financial grants and MBA certifications to women entrepreneurs in Africa. The program invites female entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique and Congo to apply to the next pitching competition. Eligibility extends to female business owners from all sectors. Participants have the chance to win ₦5 million (approx. US$12 thousand) in support of their business idea. Applications have to be submitted by 13 August 2021. Womenpreneur
Cultural Survival — Community Radio Transmitters
Cultural Survival supports Indigenous community radio projects. The Community Radio Transmitters Call gives Indigenous community radio stations the chance to acquire transmitters and complementary equipment. The maximum grant amount awarded will be US$4 thousand. Eligibility extends to Indigenous community radio stations in Latin America, Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa, Nepal, and India. The deadline for submitting proposals is 03 July 2021. Click here
African Academy of Sciences — Research Grant
The African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence Pilot Program (ARISE-PP) Grant is an opportunity for early-career scientists to further develop their research career and become a principal researcher leading their own grant. The program is open to African researchers with 2-7 years of research experience since completion of their PhD and an excellent research proposal to conduct research in an African university or research institution. The ARISE-PP grants are open to applications from all fields of research. The maximum grant amount per grantee is €500 thousand for a period max. 5 years. Submission of Expressions of Interest closes on 30 July 2021. ARISE Grant
African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development — PhD Program in Energy for Sustainable Development
The University of Rwanda offers PHD research Programs in Energy for Sustainable Development in (1) Renewable Energy, (2) Electrical Power Systems, and (3) Energy Economics. ACE-ESD offers full scholarships to female candidates from the Eastern and Southern Africa Region. The application deadline is 31 July 2021. Link to PhD Program
African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development — Masters Program in Energy for Sustainable Development
The University of Rwanda offers Masters research Programs in Energy for Sustainable Development in (1) Renewable Energy, (2) Electrical Power Systems, and (3) Energy Economics. ACE-ESD offers full and partial scholarships to eligible candidates from Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia. The application deadline is 31 July 2021. Link to Masters Program
Total S.A. and others — Energy Access Booster 2021
TotalEnergies, Enea Consulting and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) launch the Energy Access Booster 2021 – a call for projects to support entrepreneurs in the field of energy access in Africa and Asia focusing on sustainable mobility. Five selected entrepreneurs will receive up to US$50 thousand and expertise support as well as mentorship. The deadline for applications is 15 August 2021. Energy Access Booster 2021
Youth in Agroecology and Business Learning Track Africa — Business Accelerator
The YALTA Business Accelerator calls upon SMEs in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to submit their agroecological ideas for a sustainable, healthy and diverse food system. 10 selected participants will benefit from skills training, innovation jams and coaching to improve their ideas and turn them into a plan. Three winners will receive a matching grant of up to US$5 thousand to start implementing their ideas. Eligibility extends to young entrepreneurs in agriculture, food and nutrition who manage a local business. Applications have to be submitted by 30 June 2021. YALTA Business Accelerator
UK Government — Reducing Plastics Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
The Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Program calls for concepts for research and development projects that have the potential to bring new solutions into the plastics value chain upstream of the end-of-life solutions. The program has an investment fund of up to £20 million to be disbursed over a 5 year period with up to £5 million for this call. Eligibility extends to NGOs, UK-based non-profit organizations, companies, and educational institutions. Priority will be given to projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. The deadline for submitting applications is 02 July 2021. Plastics Call