About this opportunity
The Research and Innovation for Climate Hub, part of the AI for Development initiative, has opened a standing call for African climate AI innovators. It is not a competition with a prize date and a closing bell. Expressions of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis, so the right move is to apply when your work is ready, not when a calendar pushes you.
What the Hub is looking for is specific: innovations that use AI and data driven technology to strengthen climate resilience across Africa, and that have already moved past the idea stage. Eligible work should address a real climate or environmental challenge and have reached pilot stage or beyond, meaning it has been tested or used in a real world setting. The call names areas such as climate adaptation and resilience, drought monitoring and prediction, flood monitoring and early warning, climate smart agriculture and food security, and environmental monitoring and natural resource management, as examples rather than a closed list.
Accepted innovations may access technical and innovation support, coaching, research and piloting opportunities, links with potential collaborators and implementation partners, increased visibility and scaling partnerships. The headline number is a potential scaling grant of up to USD 200,000, and the Hub states clearly that this is subject to
Eligibility
and available resources. There is no guaranteed award, no fixed number of innovations to be supported and no promise that any applicant receives the maximum.
Two details worth knowing before you write. First, an Expression of Interest does not automatically qualify you for a grant, and the level and type of support depends on assessment, available resources and what your innovation actually needs. Second, selected information may be included in a public Climate AI Innovation Database, and your consent for that is voluntary, not a condition of being considered.
What you receive
- Technical and innovation support plus coaching for selected innovations
- Research and piloting opportunities
- Ecosystem connections with potential collaborators and implementation partners
- Increased visibility, including possible inclusion in a potential public Climate AI Innovation Database
- Scaling partnerships as the innovation grows
- Potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000, subject to eligibility and available resources
- Knowledge exchange across AI, environmental science, data analysis, research and community development
Who can apply
- African led innovators, researchers, startups and organisations using AI and data driven technologies to strengthen climate resilience across Africa
- The innovation must address a relevant climate or environmental challenge
- The innovation should have reached the pilot stage or beyond, meaning it has been tested or used in real world settings
- Example focus areas include climate adaptation and resilience, drought monitoring and prediction, flood monitoring and early warning, climate smart agriculture and food security, and environmental monitoring and natural resource management. These are illustrations, not a closed list
Who should not apply
- A concept that has not been tested or used in a real world setting is unlikely to meet the stated requirement of pilot stage or beyond
- Submitting an Expression of Interest does not automatically qualify an innovation for a scaling grant
Documents to prepare
- No formal document list is published. The call asks you to describe the climate or environmental problem, how AI or data driven technology is used, the current stage of development, evidence from real world testing, the potential for growth and the support you need
How to apply
- Open the RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation call page on ai4d.ai and confirm the call is still open, since it runs on a rolling basis with no fixed closing date
- Write the problem statement: the climate or environmental challenge your innovation addresses and who faces it
- Explain how AI and data driven technology is used, in plain terms a reviewer outside your discipline can follow
- Describe the current stage of development and present the evidence you have from real world testing or use
- State the potential for growth and name the support you need, whether technical assistance, research collaboration, piloting, partnerships or scaling finance
- Submit the Expression of Interest through the Submit your Expression of Interest action on the call page
- Decide separately whether you consent to inclusion in the public Climate AI Innovation Database. Consent is voluntary and is not required to be considered
Selection process
- Neither the Hub nor the call page publishes a selection committee or a scoring method. Support is described as something selected innovations may access, and scaling grants depend on eligibility, assessment outcomes, available resources and the needs of each innovation
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- UN Food Systems Coordination Hub Call for Submissions 2026
A free United Nations call inviting African and global food systems actors to submit success stories and good practices for the Database of Practices, open until 31 October 2026.
- MIT Solve 2027 Global Climate Challenge for Adaptation and Decarbonisation
The MIT Solve 2027 Global Climate Challenge funds technology driven solutions for equitable climate adaptation and decarbonisation of how we live and eat. Every selected Solver team receives a $10,000 grant, and entries close on 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST.
- IBCI Blue Carbon Fellowship 2026 by the International Blue Carbon Institute
A USD 60,000 research grant spread over two years for one blue carbon scientist or practitioner, with applications welcome from all regions and African applicants particularly encouraged for this cycle.
- My Little Big Thing Sustainability Challenge 2026/2027, 10th Anniversary Edition
A free three-month sustainability innovation challenge for young African innovators, closing with a Demo Day at Strathmore University in front of investors.
Questions applicants ask
Is the USD 200,000 a guaranteed grant?
No. Scaling grants of up to USD 200,000 are potential and subject to eligibility, assessment and available resources. Submitting an Expression of Interest does not automatically qualify your innovation for a grant, and no innovation is promised the maximum.
Can I apply with an idea that has not been tested?
Probably not. The call targets innovations that have reached the pilot stage or beyond and are tested or used in real world settings, so an idea without that evidence may not fit the stated requirements.
Is consent to the public database required?
No. Participation in the potential public Climate AI Innovation Database is voluntary and is not a requirement for consideration by the Hub.
When does the call close?
It does not. Expressions of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed closing date, which makes it worth confirming on the official page that the call remains open before you submit.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
