Grants and opportunities for your next phase

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.

ProMoat Capital

ProMoat Capital Drawbridge Grant January 2027 Cohort

ProMoat Capital's Drawbridge Grant gives two equity-free awards of ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000 to registered Nigerian businesses with paying customers, and applications for the January 2027 cohort close on 30 November 2026.

Eligibility: You run a registered Nigerian business with paying customers.

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

ProMoat Capital is giving two grants this January: ₦1,000,000 and ₦500,000. First place, one business, ₦1,000,000. Second place, one business, ₦500,000. Both grants are paid out by the end of January.

Yamaha Corporation

TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge 2026 by Yamaha for Sound and Entertainment Startups Worldwide

Yamaha is running the second TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge, a free global business contest for startups building the future of sound, music and entertainment. Startups anywhere in the world, including Nigeria and across Africa, can apply until 31 October 2026, and the Grand Prix winner can receive up to 5 million Japanese yen in proof of concept funding plus potential collaboration with Yamaha and its partners.

Eligibility: Startups and business entities from around the world, regardless of business area

Deadline

October 31, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

Grand Prix winners can receive up to 5,000,000 Japanese yen in proof of concept funding and Yamaha Award winners up to 2,000,000 Japanese yen. Proof of concept funding depends on the winner presenting a plan agreed with Yamaha and is intended to support potential business collaboration rather than act as an unrestricted cash grant.

Breakthrough Energy

Breakthrough Energy Fellows 2027 Innovator Fellowship with Up to $500,000 in Catalytic Investment

Breakthrough Energy Fellows 2027 (Cohort 7) supports scientists and engineers building very early stage climate technologies with up to $500,000 in catalytic investment through a SAFE, plus mentorship and a global network. Concept papers are accepted through 2 November 2026, and the programme accepts international applicants from around the world.

Eligibility: Innovators building very early stage hard tech climate companies

Deadline

November 2, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

Selected Innovator Fellow projects can receive up to $500,000 in catalytic investment through a SAFE, alongside technical support, mentorship and access to Breakthrough Energy's global network.

UN Global Compact

UN Global Compact Business and Human Rights Accelerator 2027 for Companies of All Sizes

A three month guided programme that helps companies turn their commitment to human rights and labour rights into a practical action plan. The 2027 cohort runs from February 2027, applications close 30 November 2026, and African companies can join through the Africa track or the global track.

Eligibility: Companies with a foundational understanding of human rights and labour rights that are ready to put it into practice

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

This is a learning and implementation programme, not a funding call. The programme page does not state a participation fee.

Free for founders and small businesses

Get a free business page and the tools to grow

Nlink gives your business a free page, simple growth tools and promotion across partner ecosystems, so new customers can find you.

• check_circleFree business page with your links, stories and contact details
• check_circleBuilt in blog to share news and updates
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International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

ITU Gender Champions Programme 2026 to 2027 for Young Women Leading Digital Change

ITU is looking for up to four young women leaders, aged 18 to 25, who are using technology to create positive change in their communities. The inaugural cohort joins a global network of experts and policymakers, takes part in the AI for Good Global Summit 2027 in Geneva, and may receive support for a community project advancing digital inclusion for women and girls.

Eligibility: Young women aged 18 to 25

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

No cash award is published. The programme covers participation in the AI for Good Global Summit 2027 in Geneva, and subject to sufficient available funds, selected champions may receive support to implement or strengthen a community project on digital inclusion for women and girls.

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

TWAS Research Professors in Least Developed Countries Programme 2026/2027

TWAS is inviting requests from research groups and scientific institutions in least developed countries, including many across Africa, to host a TWAS Research Professor for a two to four week visit during a one year appointment. Applications close 23 November 2026.

Eligibility: Requesting institution must be a research group or scientific institution located in a least developed country (LDC)

Deadline

November 23, 2026

Location

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi

Funding or benefit

TWAS covers economy class round-trip travel, additional travel expenses and an honorarium for the visiting professor. The host institution covers local expenses.

African Development Bank Group

African Development Bank Group Internship Program 2027 (Session 1)

The African Development Bank Group is opening applications for Session 1 of its 2027 Internship Program, running from 28 September to 12 October 2026. Young Africans aged 30 or below who are enrolled in a master level programme, or within one year of graduating, can apply for three to six month internships with a monthly stipend, starting January 2027.

Eligibility: National of a member country of the African Development Bank

Deadline

October 12, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Eligible interns receive a monthly stipend and medical insurance coverage paid by the Bank for the internship period.

Orange Corners Nigeria (FATE Foundation)

Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme Cohort 16 for Young Entrepreneurs

Orange Corners Nigeria, implemented by FATE Foundation with support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is selecting Cohort 16 of its six month incubation programme for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35. Participants get enterprise training, advisory, mentorship and access to up to 30,000 euros in funding support for prototype development and testing.

Eligibility: Aged 18 to 35

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Access to up to 30,000 euros in funding support for prototype development and testing.

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UONGOZI Institute

UONGOZI Institute Emerging Leaders Programme 2026/2027 for African Mid-Level Executives

UONGOZI Institute, with the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management, opens the 2026/2027 Emerging Leaders Programme for mid-level executives working in any sector across Africa. The six month, six module leadership programme starts in November and a limited number of merit scholarships are available.

Eligibility: Mid-level executive working in any sector across Africa

Deadline

October 23, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Programme fee is TZS 2.6 million per person, payable in two instalments. A limited number of merit-based scholarships are available.

African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)

ARSO 14th Continental Essay Competition 2026/2027 for African Tertiary Students

ARSO invites tertiary students across African Union member states, aged 35 and below, to the 14th Continental Essay Competition on advancing intra African trade through the cotton to clothing value chain under the AfCFTA, with cash prizes of $1,000, $800 and $500.

Eligibility: Enrolled in an accredited tertiary institution in an African Union member state at the time of submission

Deadline

April 23, 2027

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $800 for second place and $500 for third place, each with certificates of excellence.

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.