The EnAccess Foundation funds Innovation Pilot projects and Moonshot concepts focusing on providing energy access. EnAccess provides up to US$250 thousand for projects that are ready to be built and prototyped (e.g., hardware, software, business models) and US$50 thousand for ambitious research ideas in the conceptual stage (e.g., analysis and modeling). Eligibility extends to start-ups, companies, non-profits, individual innovators, investors, and researchers. Moonshot concepts and Innovation Pilot proposals can be submitted anytime. Energy Access
Africa
Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation — Changemakers Innovation Challenge
The Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation seeks applications for the Changemakers Innovation Challenge. The challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises across Africa who are using technological/digital tools to create innovative social solutions. Focus areas include health, environment, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Proposed projects must have a maximum life cycle of 12 months and benefit African communities. The challenge is open to non-profits and social enterprises across Africa. The application deadline is 22 August 2025. Changemakers
Africa Earth Observation Challenge — Addressing Development Challenges
The Africa Earth Observation Challenge (AEO Challenge) is an open innovation competition aimed at fostering African early‑stage businesses across all sectors that leverage Earth Observation data to tackle pressing development challenges—such as climate change, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, natural resource monitoring, sustainable development, and healthcare. Eligible applicants must be based anywhere in Africa. Finalists and winners receive a comprehensive support package including cash prizes totaling up to US$10 thousand distributed among the top three teams. The application deadline is 29 August 2025. Africa Earth Observation Challenge
Canon Collins — Postgraduate Study in South Africa in Climate Justice
The Canon Collins Trust seeks to support exceptional individuals who are committed to social justice in Southern Africa. In 2026, climate justice will be a priority. Climate Justice related scholarship applications may be in a science or applied science field as long as the application can demonstrate its relevance to climate justice-related matters. The value of the scholarship ranges from R20 thousand to R100 thousand. Applicants must be nationals of Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe. The deadline for applications is 02 September 2025. Climate Justice Scholarship
European Union — Europe–Africa Partnerships
The Joint Innovation Facility provides funding of €100 thousand to €250 thousand to consortia led by African organizations from 14 target countries—including Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and others. Eligible proposals must leverage digital technologies to scale climate‑focused innovations in areas like climate mitigation, adaptation, blue tech, smart cities, energy, or mobility. Applicants must form cross‑border consortia (Africa–EU or intra‑Africa). The deadline for submission is 15 September 2025. Joint Innovation Facility
African Union Commission — Africa Think Tank Platform
The Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP) invites consortia of three to five legally registered African think tanks—with representation from at least two African sub‑regions—to submit proposals for multi‑year funding (~US $10 million per consortium over up to 2½ years). The call supports policy‑relevant, collaborative research addressing at least four of the six priority themes: (economic transformation and governance; climate change; regional trade; food security; human capital; digitalization. Applications must be submitted no later than 24 September 2025. Africa Think Tank Platform
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Professional Fellowships 2025/26
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships support mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries to make professional visits (typically of three months) with UK host organizations. Applications are invited in the thematic area of clean energy, air, and oceans. Fellows must be Commonwealth citizens, refugees, or British-protected persons — and they must be permanent residents in a developing Commonwealth country. Applications are submitted by UK host organizations. The closing date for applications is 22 August 2025. Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
Worthington Enterprises — West Africa Clean Cooking Fund
The West Africa Clean Cooking Fund supports community-based clean cooking projects across Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The fund seeks proposals from NGOs and impact-driven organizations and includes an initial up to US$1 million commitment from The Worthington Companies Foundation to drive impactful clean cooking proof of concept pilot projects across the region. Clean Cooking Fund
One World Media — Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship
The Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship awards six Nigerian journalists or filmmakers with £3,000–£5,000 grants, complemented by one-on-one mentoring, in-depth in-person and online workshops, a reporting trip to Colombia, and global promotion via partner networks. The fellowship is aimed at mid-career professionals with 3–5 years of experience, the fellowship supports data-driven, community‑centric coverage of climate finance, energy transitions, resource governance, and environmental resilience in Nigeria and the region. The deadline to apply is 20 August 2025. Climate Reporting Gap Fellowship
Climate & Clean Air Coalition — National Policy & Mitigation Projects
The Climate & Clean Air Coalition invites proposals to support national strategies and action plans addressing short‑lived climate pollutants across six thematic areas: agriculture, cooling & refrigeration, heavy‑duty transport, household energy, waste management, and national policy & planning. Grants cover project design and implementation tailored to country priorities, including methane and black‑carbon reduction strategies, clean cooking transitions, refrigerant phase‑down, organic waste pipelines, and improved air quality regulation. Target countries currently include Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and others. Applicants may include national or subnational government bodies, public agencies, or consortia with civil society and technical partners. The deadline for submissions is 29 August 2025. Know more