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
agriculture
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
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement — Nominations for Prize in 2026
The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement grants US$250 thousand to recognize exceptional accomplishments in environmental science, energy, or medicine. The Tyler Prize can be awarded to living individuals or public or private institutions anywhere in the world. Several past prize winners have been distinguished in scientific and technical areas such as the global nitrogen cycle, global biodiversity assessments, wastewater treatment in developing countries, and others relevant to the link between environment and development. The closing date for nominations is 02 May 2025. Nominations here
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Distance Learning for Masters Courses in the UK
The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships support distance learning Master’s degree courses offered in partnership with local providers in developing countries, as well as courses delivered directly by UK universities. The available offerings include agriculture; tropical forestry; veterinary medicine; environmental management; conservation and wildlife management; risk and disaster management; and others. Eligibility for support extends to Commonwealth citizens of developing Commonwealth countries, refugees, and British-protected persons. Applicants must be permanent residents of a developing Commonwealth country and meet the entry educational requirements. The application deadline is 20 May 2025. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
D-Prize — Funding Entrepreneurs to Alleviate Poverty
The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 18 May (early deadline); 08 June (regular deadline); or 29 June 2025 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
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
Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area — Multitopic Research and Innovation Action
The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) supports projects under the following topics: (1) Water Management, (2) Farming Systems, (3) and Agri-food Value Chain. Water projects should focus on alleviating Mediterranean water scarcity through adaptive water governance. Farming projects need to demonstrate field practices based on agroecological practices to increase ecosystem services and biodiversity, adapt the small farming systems to climate change, and to increase farmers’ incomes. Companies/enterprises, non-profit organizations, NGOs, public research organizations, and universities from the following non-EU countries are eligible: Israel, Tunisia, Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco. The deadline for pre-proposals is 08 July 2025. Details here