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Artificial Intelligence opportunities

Find verified grants, fellowships, accelerators and support for African founders working in Artificial Intelligence.

22 open opportunities, 8 closing within 7 days

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UniPods AI Innovation Pipeline Cohort 2 application banner powered by timbuktoo
TrainingCloses 30 Oct

timbuktoo (UNDP Africa)

timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme Cohort 2 for African AI Builders

The timbuktoo UniPods AI Innovation Programme is open for Cohort 2, a capacity building programme for African innovators and teams already building early stage AI solutions. Participants receive an MIT AI course, a 14 week entrepreneurship programme, technical mentorship and access to the timbuktoo network, and applications close on 30 October 2026.

Eligibility: Individual innovators and teams developing AI or AI enabled solutions

Deadline
October 30, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
The programme publishes no cash award. Support is in kind and includes an MIT AI course, a 14 week entrepreneurship programme, technical mentorship, access to the timbuktoo network and a possible bootcamp in Addis Ababa.
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IncuVersity summer school group of participants
AcceleratorCloses 31 Oct

THE DO, with technology partnership from Anthropic

THE DO IncuVersity Program 2027 for Aspiring AI-Era Founders (Full and Partial Tuition Scholarships)

A two-year global entrepreneurship program where founders 18 and above turn an idea, prototype or problem they care about into an AI-enabled venture, with full and partial tuition scholarships and up to USD 2,400 in Claude credits for qualified participants.

Eligibility: Open to applicants from any country

Deadline
October 31, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Full and partial tuition scholarships for a program with tuition of EUR 10,000 plus VAT, plus up to USD 2,400 in additional Claude credits for qualified participants.
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Researchers talking at a Max Planck School of Cognition poster session
ScholarshipCloses 31 Oct

Max Planck School of Cognition

Max Planck School Of Cognition Doctoral Programme, 2027 Intake In Germany, Open To All Nationalities

The Max Planck School of Cognition has reopened its portal for the 2027 doctoral intake. The school recruits across nationalities and across every discipline that studies the mind, from neuroscience to artificial intelligence, and fills places as strong applications arrive.

Eligibility: Open to applicants of all nationalities, with no country restriction published on the application page

Deadline
October 31, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
The school presents the doctoral programme as fully funded with extensive support and publishes no cash figure on its application page.
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AI and Intellectual Property in Africa AIPA 2026 workshop announcement graphic
TrainingCloses 31 Oct

Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR)

AI and Intellectual Property in Africa Workshop 2026 in Addis Ababa for Participants Across Africa

Open African Innovation Research has announced a call for participants for AI and Intellectual Property in Africa, a two day co-creation workshop to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 7 to 8, 2026, organized by York University and Addis Ababa University. Airfare, accommodation, meals and airport transfers will be provided for selected participants, and the application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Eligibility: AI researchers and developers

Deadline
October 31, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
No cash grant or stipend amount is published. The stated support package for selected participants is airfare, accommodation, meals and airport transfers.
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ELLIS PhD programme call for applications promotional graphic
ScholarshipCloses 1 Nov

ELLIS

ELLIS PhD Programme 2027 Call for Applications

Apply for a fully funded PhD in artificial intelligence with the ELLIS network of Max Planck Institutes and leading European universities. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome.

Eligibility: Open to applicants of all nationalities, including Nigerian and other African applicants

Deadline
November 1, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Positions are fully funded by the host institution. G-Research scholarships are additionally available through 2028 for eligible data intensive projects.
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Health worker screening a patient's teeth during a community clinic
CompetitionCloses 2 Nov

MIT Solve

MIT Solve 2027 Global Health Challenge for Equitable Care Solutions

The MIT Solve 2027 Global Health Challenge seeks technology driven solutions that make good health and quality care more equitable. Every selected Solver team receives a $10,000 grant, and solutions must be submitted by 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST.

Eligibility: Innovators and organisations of any nationality and background

Deadline
November 2, 2026
Location
Global
Funding or benefit
A $10,000 grant for every selected Solver team, an average of $40,000 in funding per team following selection, and access to a pool of more than $1 million in prize funding.
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Students in a classroom holding mobile devices during a lesson
CompetitionCloses 2 Nov

MIT Solve

MIT Solve 2027 Global Learning Challenge for Education Innovation

The MIT Solve 2027 Global Learning Challenge backs technology driven solutions that close education gaps and improve outcomes for every learner. Selected Solver teams each receive a $10,000 grant, and submissions close on 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST.

Eligibility: Innovators and organisations of any nationality and background

Deadline
November 2, 2026
Location
Global
Funding or benefit
A $10,000 grant for every selected Solver team, an average of $40,000 in funding per team following selection, and access to a pool of more than $1 million in prize funding.
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Workers in hard hats on a jobsite
CompetitionCloses 2 Nov

MIT Solve

MIT Solve 2027 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge for Work, Housing and Financial Resilience

The MIT Solve 2027 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge backs technology driven solutions for quality work, affordable housing and financial resilience. Selected Solver teams each receive a $10,000 grant, and applications close on 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST.

Eligibility: Innovators and organisations of any nationality and background

Deadline
November 2, 2026
Location
Global
Funding or benefit
A $10,000 grant for every selected Solver team, an average of $40,000 in funding per team following selection, and access to a pool of more than $1 million in prize funding.
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UNICEF Femtech Ventures Second Annual Call 2026, up to US$100,000 plus twelve months of mentorship opportunity
GrantOpen

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.
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Senior education leaders collaborating during the HP-UCL IOE Fellowship in AI in Education
FellowshipOpen

UCL Institute of Education with HP

HP-UCL IOE Fellowship in AI in Education for Senior Education Leaders

A fully funded global leadership fellowship for senior education leaders who want to guide responsible artificial intelligence in education systems, built from online sessions, a week in London and nine months of capstone mentoring.

Eligibility: You are a senior education policymaker, regulator, inspectorate leader, system leader or organisational leader working across education, government or the public sector.

Deadline
November 7, 2026
Location
Africa, Asia, Europe
Funding or benefit
The fellowship is fully funded, with all programme costs covered on acceptance, excluding airfares and visas.
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EPFL AI Center funding programme visual with bubble background
FellowshipOpen

EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative

EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships, 3rd Call

The EPFL AI Center and the Swiss AI Initiative are inviting postdoctoral researchers of any nationality to apply for their third call of fellowships, funding AI research in an EPFL host laboratory with a salary contribution of appr. 50% per year plus up to CHF 5'000 per fellowship year for research costs. The deadline is 9 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.

Eligibility: Citizens of any nationality may apply

Deadline
November 9, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
A contribution to the salary of the postdoctoral researcher of appr. 50% per year on EPFL salary scales, with the remaining part covered by the EPFL host laboratories, and a maximum amount of CHF 5'000 per fellowship year grantable for research costs, open research data costs, open access publication costs, travels and conferences.
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Carnegie Mellon University Africa Free AI Certificate 2026 opportunity
CourseOpen

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Carnegie Mellon University Africa Free AI Certificate 2026

A cost free, six course online certificate in artificial intelligence from Carnegie Mellon University Africa, built for African learners who want practical skills in machine learning, Python and applied generative AI. Applications and recommendations run from 15 October to 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: Interest in building AI applications relevant to African contexts

Deadline
November 15, 2026
Location
Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana
Funding or benefit
Cost free certificate for qualified applicants.
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CMU-Africa Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa
CourseOpen

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa 2027 by CMU-Africa, cost free for qualified applicants

Carnegie Mellon University Africa runs a six course online Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa that is cost free for qualified applicants. Applications run 15 October to 15 November 2026.

Eligibility: Applicants must satisfy the prerequisites the apply page sets for the Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Africa

Deadline
November 15, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Cost free for qualified applicants, stated on the CMU-Africa apply page.
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Heriot-Watt University postgraduate graduation banner
ScholarshipOpen

UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Dependable and Deployable AI for Robotics (CDT-D2AIR)

CDT-D2AIR PhD Studentships in Dependable and Deployable AI for Robotics, September 2027 intake

A four-year fully funded PhD studentship in dependable and deployable AI for robotics, jointly run by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, open to applicants of all nationalities with a deadline of 27 November 2026.

Eligibility: An undergraduate degree at UK 2:1 level or above, or a higher degree, in computer science, engineering or a related discipline

Deadline
November 27, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Studentships are fully funded and cover tuition fees and monthly stipends at the UKRI research council rate, with precise fees and stipend rates to be confirmed at a later date. Students also receive a budget for travel, small pieces of equipment and an optional international placement.
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City skyline at dusk, the public services AI projects aim to improve
GrantOpen

The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation

Cities Deliver AI for Public Services 2026 by The Rockefeller Foundation and OpenAI Foundation

A USD 50 million initiative funding organisations that use AI to improve public services with city governments, with grants from USD 500,000 to USD 2 million over 24 months. Round 1 closes 29 November 2026.

Eligibility: Eligible organisations working in close partnership with city governments to improve access to and quality of public services related to health, economic mobility, environmental resilience and civic engagement

Deadline
November 29, 2026
Location
Global
Funding or benefit
Grants described as USD 500,000 to under USD 1 million in the Seed track and USD 1 million to USD 2 million in the Scale track, each running 24 months with 50 percent paid at the start and 50 percent after a documented mid term milestone. The initiative as a whole is described as a USD 50 million commitment. Read the official Terms and Conditions on the portal for the binding figures.
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INSEAD AI Founder Sprint 2027 opportunity
AcceleratorOpen

INSEAD AI Venture Lab

INSEAD AI Founder Sprint 2027

A free, 10 week fully virtual startup program with Demo Days, running 27 January to 2 April 2027. Applications close 1 December 2026, with no fees and no equity taken.

Eligibility: Early stage founders anywhere in the world

Deadline
December 1, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Free program, no fees and no equity taken.
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Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research 2027 opportunity
CompetitionOpen

Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute

Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research 2027

The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, run with Science, has opened the 2027 cycle of its prize for AI accelerated research. The Grand Prize carries a USD 30,000 award, publication of the winning essay in Science, a 5-year digital subscription to Science and travel to the awards ceremony, with up to two runners-up named at USD 10,000 each. Entries close on 13 December 2026.

Eligibility: Early career scientists in a field related to artificial intelligence

Deadline
December 13, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
The Grand Prize carries a USD 30,000 award, publication of the winning essay in Science in print and online, a 5-year digital subscription to Science and travel to the awards ceremony. Up to two runners-up may each receive a USD 10,000 award, essay publication on Science online and the same 5-year digital subscription.
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Anima Mundi call for submissions banner showing a profile portrait dissolving into a constellation network, with the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and UNDP marks
CompetitionOpen

AI Hub for Sustainable Development

Anima Mundi Call for Submissions 2026 (African and Global AI Builders, Closes 31 December)

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development, a G7 endorsed initiative co-led by UNDP and Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, is collecting digital work for Anima Mundi, a call that asks builders to set one of their own cultural traditions beside a real AI decision. Submissions are open to everyone worldwide, with priority for the 18 Italy-Africa Mattei Plan partner countries and the G7, and the window closes on 31 December 2026.

Eligibility: Open to submitters worldwide, with priority for the 18 Italy-Africa Mattei Plan partner countries and the G7

Deadline
December 31, 2026
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
No cash award is published. Each accepted submission enters a permanent open online library under Creative Commons licensing with attribution to the author, and forms part of a programme that runs to presentations in February 2027 and September 2027. Volunteer support is offered to anyone who needs work photographed, scanned or recorded so the format does not exclude them.
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SiGMA Pitch Startup Competition 2027 for African Startups
CompetitionOpen

SiGMA

SiGMA Pitch Startup Competition 2027 for African Startups

Early stage startups across Africa can apply for the SiGMA Pitch Startup Competition 2027 to showcase their businesses to investors, venture capitalists, industry leaders and potential partners. Six startups will advance to the live Africa pitch in Cape Town.

Eligibility: Be an early stage startup, typically at the Seed to Series A stage

Deadline
January 6, 2027
Location
African countries
Funding or benefit
No cash prize amount is specified in the source. Selected startups receive Startup Village access, event passes, a branded presence, networking opportunities, investor exposure and automatic consideration for the SiGMA Startup Pitch competition.
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Climate data dashboards powering AI driven climate resilience work in Africa
GrantOpen

Research and Innovation for Climate (RICH) Hub, AI4D

RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation Call 2026 by AI4D

A rolling call for African led climate AI innovations that have reached pilot stage or beyond, offering technical support, research and piloting opportunities, ecosystem connections and potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000.

Eligibility: African led innovators, researchers, startups and organisations using AI and data driven technologies to strengthen climate resilience across Africa

Deadline
Timeline not announced
Location
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya
Funding or benefit
Potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000, subject to eligibility, assessment outcomes and available resources. There is no minimum award, no stated number of grants and no guarantee that submitting an Expression of Interest leads to funding.
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Maple Global Innovation Fellowship 2026
FellowshipOpen

The Maple Awards

Maple Global Innovation Fellowship 2026 for Entrepreneurs, Researchers and Technology Professionals

The Maple Global Innovation Fellowship 2026 is a selective international network that brings together entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers and AI and robotics professionals who want to support emerging innovators across the global ecosystem.

Eligibility: Entrepreneurs and startup founders

Deadline
Timeline not announced
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Funding varies
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RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation expression of interest banner
GrantOpen

Research and Innovation for Climate (RICH) Hub

RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation Expression of Interest 2026 for African Innovators

An open call for African led or Africa based climate AI innovations that have already reached pilot stage, with technical support, coaching, ecosystem connections and potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000 for selected innovations.

Eligibility: African led or Africa based innovations

Deadline
Timeline not announced
Location
Africa
Funding or benefit
Potential scaling grants of up to USD 200,000 for selected innovations, alongside technical support, coaching and partnerships.
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