Grants and opportunities for your next phase

My Little Big Thing (MK-Africa with Cambridge ISL)

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.

Eligibility: Anyone aged 18 to 35 living anywhere in Africa

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana

Funding or benefit

Entry is free and no cash prize amount is published. Support includes 12 months of one to one mentorship for the Top 15 and a sponsored Cambridge ISL sustainability course for the Top 3. An optional verified certificate costs $20.

Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology, Nigeria

Young Scientists Initiative 2026, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology Nigeria

A free, fully Ministry-funded training and innovation programme for Nigerians aged 18 to 35, with eight innovation tracks, zonal bootcamps and an opportunity desk.

Eligibility: Nigerian citizens aged 18 to 35

Deadline

October 2, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

The programme is free and fully funded by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology. No cash grant amount is published.

AI for Good (ITU-led global community)

AI for Good Innovation Factory Africa Edition 2026 Pitch Call

AI-driven startups solving global challenges can apply to the Africa edition of the AI for Good Innovation Factory, with a route to the global finals in Geneva.

Eligibility: The startup must have AI at the core of its product or service

Deadline

September 28, 2026

Location

Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa

Funding or benefit

Prizes are a trip to the global finals in Geneva plus funding and resources; no fixed grant amount is published. Startups that have received less than US$1 million in total funding are eligible.

DW Akademie

DW Akademie Namibia Reporting Grants 2026 for Environmental Journalists

DW Akademie is offering reporting grants of up to 1,250 EUR to Namibian journalists, researchers, media professionals, media organisations and civil society groups working on environmental journalism. Funded projects run between December 2026 and May 2027 and cover Namibia’s green transformation, extractive industries, energy projects and environmental policies.

Eligibility: Namibian journalists, content creators, media professionals, media organisations, researchers and civil society organisations

Deadline

October 5, 2026

Location

Namibia

Funding or benefit

Financial support of a maximum of 1,250 EUR (approximately N$23,300) per project, according to the scope of the proposal and the availability of funds, paid in instalments linked to agreed milestones, with an advance payment on signature of the agreement.

Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF)

Youth Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Civic Leadership Program, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

A three month civic leadership and entrepreneurship program for UNN students, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, with a ₦300,000 micro-grant pathway for outstanding participants.

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A ₦300,000 micro-grant opportunity for outstanding participants to support promising ideas and initiatives

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Code Club (Moonhack created by Code Club Australia)

Moonhack 2026

A free global coding event for kids aged 7 to 15, running 14 to 30 October 2026, with seven new projects in Scratch, Python, AI and micro:bit focused on online safety.

Deadline

November 14, 2026

Location

Worldwide

Funding or benefit

Free to join, no fees and no funding involved

Traditional Building Cultures Foundation

Living Legacy Grants 2027 for Traditional Building Cultures (Up to EUR 3,000 each)

The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation has opened Living Legacy, a new international grants programme that funds work keeping traditional architecture and building crafts alive. Three grants of up to 3,000 euros each are available in this first call, and applications from individuals and organisations are both welcome. The call runs from 22 September to 1 December 2026.

Eligibility: Open to individuals, associations, foundations, universities, research centres, cultural institutions and other organisations whose activity fits the objectives of the call

Deadline

December 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Three grants of up to 3,000 euros each. A grant may fund all or part of a project budget, and the jury may award a lower amount or leave a grant unawarded.

African Poetry Book Fund

Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets 2026 (USD $1,000 plus Book Publication)

The African Poetry Book Fund is open to submissions for the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets, an annual contest that turns a first poetry manuscript by an African writer into a published book. The winner receives USD $1,000 and publication through the University of Nebraska Press. The 2026 window runs from 15 September to 1 December 2026.

Eligibility: Open to African writers who have not yet published a book length poetry collection

Deadline

December 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

USD $1,000 to the winner, plus book publication through the University of Nebraska Press. No entry fee.

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)

AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship 2027, Cohort 2

AWARD has opened the call for the second cohort of its Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship, a two year non-residential fellowship that builds the capability, confidence and influence of mid-career African women agricultural scientists. Applications close on November 06, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time.

Eligibility: Be a woman working in science and agriculture

Deadline

November 6, 2026

Location

Egypt, Morocco, Ghana

Funding or benefit

A two year non-residential fellowship delivered by AWARD under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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The Open Notebook

The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program 2027

The Open Notebook runs a paid, part-time, remote fellowship for early-career science journalists. Over twelve months each fellow reports and writes four articles with the support of a weekly mentor and becomes part of the TON editorial team. The stipend is USD 6,600 and applications close on October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM U.S. Central time.

Eligibility: Open to early-career science journalists. If you live outside the United States you are welcome to apply

Deadline

November 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

A stipend of USD 6,600 for the twelve month, part-time fellowship.

World Bank Group

World Bank Group Young Professionals Program 2027

The World Bank Group Young Professionals Program is the institution’s flagship leadership development initiative for people with two to six years of professional experience who work in global development. It is a two year program of rotations across the World Bank, IFC and MIGA, followed by a five year role based on performance. Applications close on September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC.

Eligibility: A minimum graduate-level degree or a higher qualification in a relevant field, completed before the September start date

Deadline

September 30, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

A GF-level term appointment. Salary and benefits are determined using established World Bank Group criteria and are not individually negotiated; your offer letter provides the details applicable to your appointment.

Schlumberger Foundation

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships 2027-2028

The Schlumberger Foundation awards Fellowships to women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or post-doctoral research in STEM at a leading university abroad. Grants cover up to USD 50,000 per year for PhD study and up to USD 40,000 for post-doctoral research. New and renewal applications close on November 7, 2026 at 12:00 noon Central Standard Time.

Eligibility: Be a woman and a citizen of a low or middle income country where women are underrepresented in STEM

Deadline

November 7, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Up to USD 50,000 per year for PhD courses and up to USD 40,000 for post-doctoral research, based on actual expenses incurred by the student. An exceptional child care grant of up to USD 3,000 per child under six and USD 1,500 per child aged six to fifteen may be added, capped at USD 10,000 per grantee per grant year.