The Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) challenge aims to convert seed-level innovative agricultural ideas in East Africa and scale them to sustainable business ideas. RAIN seeks new innovative agricultural initiatives to provide customized support. Winners will receive a cash prize of up to US$50 thousand after the initial mentoring period. RAIN is open to non-profit organizations as well as farmers, and entrepreneurs in East Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda). Applications are due on 31 January 2025. RAIN Challenge
Africa
Acumen Fund — East Africa Fellowship
The Acumen East Africa Fellows Program is a 6-month program comprising 5 seminars that gives individuals from East Africa the training they need to accelerate their social impact and leadership potential. Eligible countries are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan & Ethiopia. Past fellows have included several in smallholder agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, fair trade, and other areas. Acumen covers all program expenses related to travel and accommodations, but it does not offer scholarships, stipends, or other funding. The application deadline is 07 February 2025. About this fellowship
King Baudouin Foundation — KBF Africa Prize 2025-2026
The KBF Africa Prize is awarded to Africans or African organizations who are making an outstanding contribution to development in Africa. There are no restrictions as to the chosen themes. The Selection Committee favors community approaches that deal with actual and current challenges in Africa. The winners receive financial support of up to €250 thousand. Self-nomination is not permitted. The deadline for nominations is 03 March 2025. Find out how to nominate a candidate
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS-Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Biological Sciences. Eligible nominees are female scientists national of a low-income African country. The prize is a US$5 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 14 May 2025. Award in Biological Sciences
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Rwanda and Burundi
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Rwanda and Burundi. CFLI provides funding to projects that focus on environment and climate action, as well as on water sanitation management. The average contribution is C$20 thousand to C$35 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to not-for-profit local, national, or community-based organizations. The deadline for submission is 10 January 2025. CFLI Rwanda and Burundi
Cultural Survival — Indigenous Community Media Fund
The Indigenous Community Media Fund provides opportunities for Indigenous community radio stations and media outlets to strengthen their broadcast infrastructure and systems. Indigenous community radio stations can apply for a grant of up to US$8 thousand. Radio networks represented by at least three or more Indigenous radio stations can apply for funding of up to US$12 thousand. Proposed projects must be completed within a period of 6 to 10 months. Indigenous communities in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 26 January 2025. Indigenous Community Media Fund
Industrial Development Cooperation — Green Tourism Incentive Program
The Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC) seeks applications for the Green Tourism Incentive Program (GTIP). The key objective is to encourage privately owned tourism enterprises in South Africa to adopt responsible tourism practices by installing solutions to reduce their energy and water consumption and costs. The GTIP offers grant funding from 50% to 90% of the total cost of approved energy and water efficiency solutions. The application deadline is 28 February 2025. Green Tourism Incentive Program
French Committee for International Solidarity — Grants for Family Agriculture in West Africa 2025
The French Committee for International Solidarity (Comité Français pour la Solidarité Internationale – CFSI), in partnership with Fondation de France, funds projects that support small-scale farming in West Africa. Grants will support projects carried out by partnerships between European and West African nonprofit legal entities, research and training organizations in the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Projects can range from one to three years. Grants are a maximum of €15 thousand per year or €50 thousand in the case of a 3-year project. The deadline for project summaries (French, English) is 06 March 2025. Find the call
Delft University of Technology — African Water Corridor Scholarship
The Delft University of Technology offers the African Water Corridor Scholarship for two Sub-Saharan African students in the Master’s program Environmental Engineering, track Water Resources Engineering. The scholarship comprises full tuition fees for this 2-year TU Delft CEG Master program based on the statutory fee or institutional rate and contribution for the living expenses. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. Water Corridor Scholarship
Innovations Against Poverty — Matching Grants
Innovations Against Poverty Challenge Fund offers matching grants ranging from €50 thousand to €200 thousand to businesses ready to scale their inclusive innovations. IAP also offers tailored non-financial support. Applying businesses must operate in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Uganda, or Zambia, and must be able to co-invest at least 51% of the total project cost, either through cash or in-kind contributions. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. Innovations Against Poverty Challenge Fund