Grants for African founders (2026)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, through the Embassy in Lusaka

Czech Embassy Small Scale Projects Grant 2027 for Community Nonprofits in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe

The Czech Embassy in Lusaka is accepting Small Scale Projects proposals from registered nonprofit groups in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with grants of 250,000 to 500,000 Czech koruna for community projects that are sustainable and cost effective. The closing date is 27 October 2026.

Eligibility: Legally registered nonprofit entities in Zambia, Malawi or Zimbabwe.

Deadline

October 27, 2026

Location

Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe

Funding or benefit

Grants range from 250,000 CZK to 500,000 CZK, with personal expenses, travel and insurance capped at 8 percent of the total project cost.

Atlassian Foundation

Atlassian Foundation Collective Action Open Call 2026

The Atlassian Foundation is inviting applications from nonprofits globally for education initiatives navigating the AI era, with grants of up to US$1 million over two years.

Deadline

October 30, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

Grants of up to US$1 million over two years for selected initiatives.

Whitley Fund for Nature

Whitley Awards 2027: 50,000 Pounds in Project Funding for Grassroots Conservation Leaders

The Whitley Awards recognise grassroots conservation leaders with 50,000 pounds in project funding over one year, plus international profile, media support and a place in a community of more than 230 winners working across over 80 countries. Applications for the 2027 round are open and close at 23:59 GMT on Friday, 30 October 2026.

Eligibility: Dynamic, mid-career conservationists leading vital conservation projects

Deadline

October 30, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Each Whitley Award is worth 50,000 pounds in project funding over one year. Winners also become eligible for future Continuation Funding and the Whitley Gold Award.

Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region (BCCC-Africa)

AfricaPlastics Research Grant for Female Postgraduate Researchers 2026

Female postgraduate students in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe can apply for research grants of up to USD 2,000 for work on plastics and hazardous chemicals. The closing date is 31 October 2026.

Eligibility: Female postgraduate student enrolled in a Master or PhD programme

Deadline

October 31, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa

Funding or benefit

Research grants of up to USD 2,000 per recipient

Girl Up

Girl Up Project Awards 2026

Girl Up Project Awards are trust-based grants of up to US$500 on the Leader of Self tier and up to US$1,000 on the Leader of Peers tier, for youth leaders aged 13 to 25 with an idea to advance gender justice in their community. The 2026 window runs from 15 to 31 October and Nigeria is clear of the listed funding restrictions.

Eligibility: Youth leaders aged 13 to 25 with an idea to advance gender justice in their community

Deadline

October 31, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

The page prints Up to US$500 for Leader of Self, up to US$1,000 for Leader of Peers, sent by international transfer in US dollars from December.

International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)

IBRO Neuroscience Training Grants for Early Career Neuroscientists

Funding that covers course fees, travel and local expenses so early-career neuroscientists from under-resourced regions can attend a neuroscience training course or school, with a maximum of USD 5,000 for applicants resident in Africa.

Eligibility: You are a PhD student or an early-career postdoctoral fellow

Deadline

October 31, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Maximum grant amount varies with your region of residence and is set by the corresponding IBRO Regional Committee: Africa USD 5,000, Asia-Pacific USD 3,000, Latin America USD 3,000, Pan-Europe USD 4,500, US and Canada USD 4,000. Eligible costs are training course registration fees, travel related to the training course and local expenses. Funds are transferred in an 80:20 format, with 80 percent paid two months before the course start date and the remaining 20 percent after the course is completed, the certificate of attendance or completion is submitted and the grant report is filed.

ISDAO

ISDAO 9th Regional Call for Proposals for West Africa

ISDAO has opened its 9th Regional Call for Proposals for LGBTQI-led groups and organisations across nine West African focal countries, with budgets between $5,000 and $30,000 per year for grant timelines of 6 to 36 months. The deadline for submitting your grant application is October 31, 2026.

Eligibility: A group or organization working in any of ISDAO's focal countries in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal or Togo

Deadline

October 31, 2026

Location

Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire

Funding or benefit

Core funding or core and project funding with budgets between $5,000 and $30,000 per year, for grant timelines from 6 months minimum to 36 months maximum.

WomanKind Alliance

WomanKind Creative Grant 2027 For Women’s Health Startups, US$15,000 In Design Support

The WomanKind Creative Grant gives one women’s health startup professional branding and design services worth US$15,000, delivered free as a six week design partnership beginning in mid January 2027. WomanKind Alliance is a nonprofit supporting companies building solutions in women’s health, and this edition is sponsored by creative agency Alfa Charlie. Applications from companies worldwide, including founders based in Africa, are open now and close on 1 November 2026.

Eligibility: A startup developing a product or service that improves women’s health, including femtech, reproductive health, menstrual health, diagnostics and healthcare access

Deadline

November 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

US$15,000 in brand strategy and design services, delivered as a six week professional services partnership rather than a cash payment. No application fee is stated on the official page.

The Fegho Umunubo Foundation

Fegho Umunubo Foundation Creative Business Grant 2026

Grants of ₦1,000,000 to ₦1,500,000 for registered creative businesses and entrepreneurs in Nigeria, paired with business training and practical support under the second cohort of the Grassroots Creative Business Support Initiative.

Eligibility: Open to creative entrepreneurs and businesses operating in Nigeria

Deadline

November 1, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Grants of ₦1,000,000 to ₦1,500,000 per selected business. Twenty grassroots creative businesses are funded each quarter, with equity or loan financing of up to ₦50,000,000 available alongside.

TEEEM Foundation Community Impact

Call for Applications: TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant 2026 (Up to $30,000 in Funding)

The TEEEM Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grant Programme, offering funding of up to $30,000 to nonprofit and charitable organisations implementing sustainable, community-driven solutions. The grant supports organisations working to create measurable and lasting impact through education, youth development, health, empowerment, entrepreneurship, economic opportunity and community development. Grant Categories and Funding Community Grants: $5,000–$10,000 for grassroots and local community projects Growth Grants: $10,000–$20,000 to expand successful programmes and reach more communities Transformational Grants: $20,000–$30,000 for large-scale initiatives with long-term impact Eligible Projects Funding is available for initiatives focused on: Education and youth development Health and essential community needs Equality and empowerment Entrepreneurship and economic opportunity Community infrastructure Sustainable community development Who Can Apply? The grant is open to nonprofit and charitable organisations with a demonstrated commitment to community-centred development. Strong applicants should demonstrate: Sustainable and measurable community impact E

Eligibility: Eligible Projects Funding is available for initiatives focused on: Education and youth development Health and essential community needs Equality and empowerment Entrepreneurship and economic opportunity Community infrastructure Sustainable communit

Deadline

November 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Grant Programme, offering funding of up to $30,000 to nonprofit and charitable organisations implementing sustainable, community-d

Indian Ocean Commission, AléVini Regional Mobility Fund, funded by the Agence Française de Développement

AléVini Regional Mobility Fund Cycle VII for Indian Ocean Cultural and Creative Professionals

The AléVini Regional Mobility Fund supports cultural and creative professionals from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Mozambique with up to 3,000 euros for regional mobility and up to 250 euros for exporting creative works. Cycle VII is open for applications from 17 September to 2 November 2026, and funded activities must take place between 1 March and 20 December 2027.

Eligibility: You apply as an individual

Deadline

November 2, 2026

Location

Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius

Funding or benefit

Up to 3,000 euros for individual regional mobility plus up to 250 euros for exporting creative works. The two forms of support can be combined, but export assistance cannot be requested on its own and must accompany an eligible mobility request.

South Africa Sweden University Forum, SASUF, with the National Research Foundation of South Africa

SASUF-NRF Seed Grants for Intra-African Collaborative Research Projects 2026: SEK 100,000 plus ZAR 160,000 per Consortium Linking Sweden, South Africa and an SGCI African University

The SASUF Beyond Borders initiative is funding new three way research consortia between Swedish, South African and SGCI African universities, with a budget ceiling of SEK 100,000 from SASUF and ZAR 160,000 from the NRF per project and submissions closing on 3 November 2026.

Eligibility: All Swedish and South African applicants must be based at one of the SASUF partner universities, drawn from the 37 member institutions

Deadline

November 3, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Angola, Botswana

Funding or benefit

The ceiling is set per consortium project at SEK 100,000 from the SASUF contribution and ZAR 160,000 from the NRF contribution, so the two currencies are managed separately by each funder, and a maximum of 20 consortium projects will be funded.

UNICEF Office of Innovation

UNICEF Femtech Ventures Second Annual Call 2026, up to US$100,000 plus twelve months of mentorship

The UNICEF Office of Innovation has opened the second annual Femtech Ventures call, offering selected companies up to US$100,000 in funding, twelve months of technical mentorship and access to UNICEF global network. Applications close on 4 November 2026. It is aimed at early and growth stage companies in emerging markets building open source solutions with frontier technologies.

Eligibility: Early and growth stage companies in emerging markets

Deadline

November 4, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Up to US$100,000 in funding for selected companies, plus twelve months of technical mentorship and access to the UNICEF global network on pathways to scale.

Amazon Research Awards, Amazon Science

Amazon Research Awards Automated Reasoning Grant 2026, Up To 80,000 USD In Unrestricted Funds Plus AWS Credits For University And NGO Researchers

Amazon Science is accepting research proposals in automated reasoning, the use of mathematical logic to prove that critical computer systems behave as intended. A selected Principal Investigator receives unrestricted funds of no more than 80,000 USD, up to a further 40,000 USD in AWS Promotional Credits and hands-on training with Amazon scientists. The call is open to full-time faculty at accredited universities and to permanent researchers at qualifying non-governmental organisations anywhere in the world, and submissions close on 4 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Eligibility: You are a full-time faculty member at an accredited academic institution, or a permanent researcher at a non-governmental organisation with recognised legal status in its country

Deadline

November 5, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Unrestricted funds of no more than 80,000 USD, paid as a one-time unrestricted gift to the Principal Investigator institution, plus AWS Promotional Credits of no more than 40,000 USD. The final amount is set by the awards panel, and the proposed budget should list expected costs in USD without administrative overhead.

Amazon Research Awards, AWS Cryptography

AWS Cryptography Research Grant 2026, Up To 80,000 USD In Unrestricted Funds Plus AWS Credits For Cryptography Researchers

The team that sets cryptographic standards inside Amazon is funding outside research on the subject, from formal proofs of security for primitives to verified optimisation of cryptographic code on x86 and Arm processors. A selected Principal Investigator receives unrestricted funds of up to 80,000 USD, up to 40,000 USD in AWS Promotional Credits and training with Amazon scientists. University faculty and qualifying non-governmental researchers worldwide may apply, and proposals close on 4 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Eligibility: You are a full-time faculty member at an accredited academic institution, or a permanent researcher at a non-governmental organisation with recognised legal status in its country

Deadline

November 5, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Unrestricted funds of up to 80,000 USD, delivered as a one-time unrestricted gift to the Principal Investigator institution, plus AWS Promotional Credits of up to 40,000 USD. The awards panel sets the final amount, and the proposed budget should list expected costs in USD without administrative overhead.

TANGO2 Research Foundation

TANGO2 Research Foundation Cycle 7 Grants: Up to $50,000 for Rare Disease Researchers in the US and Abroad

The TANGO2 Research Foundation has opened Cycle 7 of its research grants, funding seed and pilot projects at up to $25,000 for a single institution and up to $50,000 for multi institution work. The call is open to U.S. and international researchers who hold a terminal degree. Letters of Intent close at 5:00 pm EST on November 6, 2026.

Eligibility: A clinical, basic or community researcher with a terminal degree, MD, DO, PhD, NP or an international equivalent

Deadline

November 6, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Up to $25,000 for a single institution project and up to $50,000 for a multi institution project, with an opportunity for additional funding through a competitive one year renewal. Award period is one year from July 1, 2027.

Prince Casper Foundation

Prince Casper Impact Grant 2026/2027

An education grant giving ₦6 million to 26 teachers and educators working in underserved Nigerian communities, awarded across three tiers, with the application window open until 6 November 2026.

Eligibility: Actively involved in the education sector in Nigeria

Deadline

November 6, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A total of ₦6 million across 26 grantees in three tiers: ₦500,000 (Flagship, 7 grantees), ₦200,000 (Growth, 6 grantees) and ₦100,000 (Seed, 13 grantees).

EQUALS Global Partnership

EQUALS in Tech Awards 2027

The EQUALS Global Partnership is seeking applications for the 2027 EQUALS in Tech Awards across three categories, open worldwide to initiatives using technology to advance digital gender equality, closing 7 November 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Eligibility: Applications open worldwide

Deadline

November 7, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

No cash prize is published on the awards page. Winners receive recognition from the partnership, join a community of support and expand their networks.

Stellar Community Fund

Stellar Community Fund Round 46

Stellar Community Fund Round 46 awards up to $150K in XLM to developers, startups and companies building on the Stellar network and Soroban, with technical audits and investor access.

Deadline

November 8, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

Awards of up to $150K in XLM per project, paid in Stellar tokens.

Freshwater Research Centre, through the FBIS Africa project

FBIS Africa Freshwater Biodiversity Data Mobilisation Small Grants 2026

Small grants of USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 from the FBIS Africa project, run by the Freshwater Research Centre, to help African institutions and researchers prepare unpublished freshwater biodiversity records for open publication.

Eligibility: Applications are welcomed from African freshwater biodiversity data holders

Deadline

November 9, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Small grants of USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 for a six month grant period running from January to June 2027.

Swarovski Foundation, with the United Nations Office for Partnerships

Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future Programme 2026

The fifth cycle of the Creatives For Our Future Programme gives young creatives worldwide a 20,000 euro grant, one on one mentorship and educational support to develop creative work that advances sustainable development. Open to creatives aged twenty one to thirty working across design, art, technology and related fields, it closes 9 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. GMT.

Eligibility: Aged twenty one to thirty by the application deadline

Deadline

November 9, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

A 20,000 EUR grant, plus mentorship, educational masterclasses and industry access. The programme runs through September 2028.

Entreprenista with IT Cosmetics

Entreprenista Evolve Grant with IT Cosmetics: $5,000 for Revenue-Ready Women Founders

Entreprenista's seasonal Evolve Grant puts $5,000 behind women founders who are ready to scale, for businesses bringing in $100K+ a year. Applications close 11 November 2026.

Eligibility: Women founders generating $100K+ in annual revenue

Deadline

November 11, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

$5,000 seasonal grant

World Cancer Research Fund International

World Cancer Research Fund Regular Grant Programme 2026 (Up to £500,000 for Four Years)

World Cancer Research Fund International has opened the 2026-27 Regular Grant Programme for research into diet, nutrition, body composition, physical activity and sleep in cancer prevention or survivorship. Investigator initiated awards run to £500,000 over up to four years, pilot and feasibility awards to £60,000 over up to two years, and the programme is now open to researchers anywhere in the world. Letters of intent close on 13 November 2026 at 5pm UK time.

Eligibility: Lead applicants must hold a research position at the host institution for the duration of the project

Deadline

November 13, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Investigator initiated grants of up to £500,000 for up to 4 years. Pilot and feasibility grants of up to £60,000 for up to 2 years.

World Cancer Research Fund International

INSPIRE Research Challenge 2026/2027, a Worldwide Cancer Research Grant for Early Career Investigators

The INSPIRE Research Challenge funds bold, innovative cancer research led by early career investigators anywhere in the world, including across Africa. Applications for the 2026/2027 cycle run through Proposal Central and close on 13 November 2026 at 5pm UK time.

Eligibility: Early career researchers who are two to seven years into their research career post PhD or equivalent

Deadline

November 13, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

WCRF does not publish a grant amount for this cycle. The INSPIRE guidelines document on the official page sets the budget rules for successful applications.

Save Our Seas Foundation

Save Our Seas Foundation Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant 2026 (US$2,000 plus a Paid Assignment)

The Save Our Seas Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant, which gives two early-career photographers a US$2,000 cash prize each plus a paid three-week assignment to document one of the marine research or conservation projects the foundation funds. Applications are open from 30 September to 15 November 2026 at 18:00 CET, and the foundation especially encourages applicants from the Global South.

Eligibility: Open to early-career and emerging storytellers with no more than five years of experience in a photography-related discipline

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Two winners are selected for each grant. Each receives a US$2,000 cash prize and a paid three-week photographic assignment to document an SOSF-supported marine research or conservation project, plus a published photo essay and a chance to showcase the work at an international conference or exhibition.

UNESCO Science for Crisis Response and Solutions Programme

UNESCO Research Continuity Grants for African Scientists Whose Work Was Interrupted by Crisis

UNESCO is offering six institutional research continuity grants of up to USD 2,000 each to African nationals working at recognised universities and research institutes whose natural science research was interrupted by armed conflict or a natural or biological hazard. Applications close on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 Paris time.

Eligibility: African nationals based at a recognised university or research institute in an African country

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Algeria, Angola, Benin

Funding or benefit

Six institutional grants of up to USD 2,000 each under this first pilot call, for activities that can be completed within six months.

Youth Research Vox

YRV Global Teachers Grant 2026 for Secondary School English Teachers

The YRV Global Teachers Grant funds classroom projects by secondary school English teachers that celebrate local cultures and strengthen students' cultural identities. Grants of up to 300 US dollars are available from a 10,000 dollar pool, and applications close on 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: Open to secondary school English teachers

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Up to 300 US dollars per recipient, from a total funding pool of 10,000 US dollars.

Center for Effective Global Action, University of California, Berkeley

CEGA 2026 Global Networks Research Grant Competition: Up to US$67,000 per Impact Evaluation Project in East and West Africa

The Center for Effective Global Action is taking joint proposals from CEGA Fellows and CEGA Affiliates for policy relevant impact evaluations in East and West Africa, with US$200,000 in total research funding awarded to 3 to 4 projects and submissions closing on 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: Applications come from teams of scholars made up of at least one CEGA Fellow and at least one CEGA Affiliate

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Individual projects may request up to US$67,000, and the announcement states "A total of $200,000 in research funding will be awarded to 3-4 projects. Individual projects may request up to $67,000." The feed post carries the same figures as US$67,000 per project and a US$200,000 pool across 3 to 4 projects.

Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

FAPESP Young Investigator Grant for International Researchers 2026

FAPESP is inviting researchers based outside Brazil to build independent research programmes in the State of Sao Paulo, with up to BRL 2,500,000 per proposal over 60 months and a maximum of 20 fellowships. Full proposals are due 19 November 2026.

Eligibility: A completed PhD

Deadline

November 20, 2026

Location

Global, Brazil

Funding or benefit

Maximum funding available per proposal is BRL 2,500,000.00 (two million five hundred thousand Brazilian reais). A Young Investigator Fellowship may be requested in addition to this limit. Scholarships and fellowships for research team members may also be requested under FAPESP rules, limited to one scholarship or fellowship of each modality per proposal, and relocation support for researchers living abroad can include airfare for the successful applicant.

RIDE, Research on Infrastructure in Developing Economies

RIDE Research Grants on Women's Economic Empowerment in Transport 2026

RIDE is funding at least two research projects of GBP 150,000 to GBP 200,000 on how transport systems fail women economically. Research must focus on a RIDE partner country, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa among them.

Eligibility: Research teams or consortia based at universities and research institutes, anywhere in the world

Deadline

November 20, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya

Funding or benefit

At least two projects funded at GBP 150,000 to GBP 200,000 each