About this opportunity
Many promising climate ideas in Africa stall not because the technology is weak but because the path to adoption, funding and scale is missing. The Research and Innovation for Climate Hub, supported by AI for Development research work in Africa, is opening an expression of interest to find climate AI innovations that are already being tested with the communities, organisations or users they are meant to serve.
This is a pipeline call rather than a single award round. The Hub wants African led or Africa based innovations that address a clearly defined climate or environmental challenge, use AI or data driven technology as a meaningful part of the solution, have passed the idea stage into pilot or beyond, and show real potential for further development and scale.
What selected innovations can access is where this gets interesting: technical and innovation support, coaching, research and piloting opportunities, ecosystem connections, knowledge exchange, greater visibility, scaling partnerships, and potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000. The Hub is clear that support depends on
Eligibility
, assessment, available resources, the stage your innovation has reached and how well it aligns with its objectives, so treat the figure as the ceiling of the opportunity rather than a promise.
The expression of interest form is short and there is no published closing date, so a team with a working pilot can submit now and be considered as the pipeline fills.
What you receive
- Technical and innovation support for your climate AI solution
- Coaching and research and piloting opportunities
- Ecosystem connections, knowledge exchange and increased visibility
- Scaling partnerships
- Potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000 for selected innovations
Who can apply
- African led or Africa based innovations
- Addresses a clearly defined climate or environmental challenge relevant to African communities, ecosystems, institutions or economies
- Uses AI or data driven technology as a meaningful part of the solution
- Has reached pilot stage or beyond and is being tested or used with intended communities, organisations or end users
- Shows potential for further development, adoption or scale
- Open to innovators, researchers, startups, organisations and solution developers
Who should not apply
- Concepts that have not been tested with real users are outside this call
- Support is not automatic and depends on eligibility, assessment and available resources
Documents to prepare
- A description of the climate or environmental challenge your innovation addresses
- Details of how AI or data driven technology is used in the solution
- Evidence of the pilot stage and the communities or users involved
- Basic information about your team and organisation
How to apply
- Read the RICH Hub expression of interest announcement to confirm your innovation fits the four criteria
- Open the RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation expression of interest form
- Describe your innovation, its stage of testing and the impact it is designed to deliver
- Submit the form, since the call is rolling with no published closing date
- Expect the Hub to assess your innovation and follow up on partnership or grant opportunities
Selection process
- The Hub reviews submissions against relevance to African climate challenges, meaningful use of AI or data technology, evidence of pilot stage or beyond, and scale potential
- Selected innovations are contacted about technical support, piloting, partnerships and scaling grant opportunities
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Erasmus Mundus MESPOM Scholarship 2027/2029 in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management
A two year Erasmus Mundus joint master's in environmental sciences, policy and management, taught across Central European University, the University of the Aegean, Lund University and the University of Manchester, with partial tuition fee waivers and living stipends open to applicants from all countries.
Questions applicants ask
Is there a closing date?
No closing date is published. The expression of interest is rolling, so submit when your innovation is ready.
How much funding is available?
Potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000, depending on eligibility, assessment, available resources and the innovation's stage.
Can an idea without a pilot apply?
This call looks for innovations already tested or in use with their intended communities, so a pilot stage or beyond is expected.
Who can apply?
African climate AI innovators, researchers, startups, organisations and solution developers with African led or Africa based innovations.
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.
