The Digital Energy Challenge supports the development of innovative solutions for energy access, the integration of renewable energy, and utility performance improvement. The Call for Projects targets projects based in Sub-Saharan Africa. Projects must have a core element of digital technology (telecom, computer, or cloud-based). The Challenge will award grant-based funding of €150 thousand to 3 to 4 start-up projects. The application deadline for project submission is 16 May 2025. Digital Energy Challenge
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Orange Telecom — Orange Social Venture Prize 2025
The Orange Social Venture Prize recognizes entrepreneurs and start-up organizations that make innovative use of technology in agriculture, energy, and other fields of development. The geographical focus is Africa and the Middle East. Prizes range from €10 thousand to €25 thousand, plus professional support for a period of six months. In addition, Orange will reward more start-ups with the International Women’s Prize worth €20 thousand. The registration deadline is 18 May 2025. Orange Social Venture Prize
African Business Heroes — Business Heroes Competition 2025
African Business Heroes aims to support the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their local communities by working to solve the most pressing problems. Applications are open in English and French to entrepreneurs from all African countries, all sectors, and all ages. Ten finalists will compete for a share of US$1.5 million in grant money. All Finalists win grant funds from US$100-300 thousand. The applicant must be the Founder or a Co-Founder of the company. Applications close on 23 May 2025. African Business Heroes
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture — Travel Grants Program
SEARCA provides travel grants to qualified agriculture and agriculture-related professionals, social scientists, or graduate students in Southeast Asia. Applicants can request up to US$1,200 to participate and/or present papers at relevant local or international scientific conferences and fora. SEARCA will now be accepting applications for participation in scientific events held online to support continued scientific/intellectual discourse and information dissemination relevant to agriculture and rural development. Eligibility extends to nationals from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. SEARCA operates on a regular grant schedule with four application deadlines per year. The next application deadlines are 31 May 2025 (for 1st Quarter Travel), 31 August 2025 (for 2nd Quarter Travel), 30 November 2025 (for 3rd Quarter Travel), and 28 February 2026 (for 4th Quarter Travel). SEARCA Travel Grants
EIT Climate-KIC — Green Business Idea Competition
ClimateLaunchpad is the world’s largest green business ideas competition. The competition invites business ideas that address climate change to support new clean-tech startups. Selected participants will take part in an idea boot camp and receive intensive coaching. The winner will receive €10 thousand, the runner-up €5 thousand. The submission deadlines vary by country (please check carefully). ClimateLaunchpad
Kurita Water and Environment Foundation — Water Research Grants 2025
The Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF) supports scientists of Asian nationality who are conducting water research. Research topics include technologies for water/wastewater treatment, water quality analysis, sustainability of water environment sanitation, water ecosystem, and agricultural water use – among other themes. Grants are up to ¥ 300 thousand per research project. Applicants should be under age 40. The application deadline is 02 May 2025. Application procedure
World Academy of Sciences — MENA Research Cooperation with Germany
The TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Program invites postdoctoral researchers in the MENA region to make cooperation visits to institutes in Germany. The visits are limited to three months, with the aim of promoting longer-term collaboration. The German Research Foundation will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Germany. Preference is given to young PhD-level scientists, particularly women. The next application deadline is 19 May 2025. Link to the Cooperation Visits Program
BeChangeMaker Africa — Social Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program
BeChangeMaker is an online training program for social entrepreneurs. Participants gain access to tools and technology for start-ups, coaching, mentoring, and access to a diverse global network of potential investors. Interested social entrepreneurs have to form a team of 2-5 people between the ages of 18 and 35 years and present a social challenge they wish to address. Applications are open until 31 May 2025. BeChangeMarker
IUCN-Netherlands — Land Acquisition for Conservation
The World Conservation Union in the Netherlands (IUCN-Netherlands) provides grants up to €85 thousand for the purchase and protection of threatened wildlife habitats and vulnerable ecosystems in Asia, Asia-Pacific countries, Africa, and Latin America. The grants are to qualified and experienced local non-profit conservation organizations. Local conservation NGOs and CSOs are eligible for this program and are invited to submit their proposals. The deadline for applications is 01 May 2025. Land Acquisition Fund
World Academy of Sciences — African Research Cooperation with Germany
The TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Program invites postdoctoral researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa to make cooperation visits to institutes in Germany. The visits are limited to three months, with the aim of promoting longer-term collaboration. The German Research Foundation will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Germany. Preference is given to young PhD-level scientists, particularly women. The next application deadline is 19 May 2025. Africa Cooperation Visits Program