The Fonds Pierre Castel invites applications for the Pierre Castel Prize to support agricultural entrepreneurship in Africa. The program targets entrepreneurs between 18 and 45 years old who lead businesses in the agriculture, agrifood, or circular economy sectors. Applicants must be residents and nationals of Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The prize offers €15 thousand for the first-place winner and €10 thousand for the second-place winner in each country, along with mentorship and professional coaching. Applications must be submitted by 30 May 2026. Pierre Castel Prize
Africa
Africa Centre for Energy Policy — Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge 2026
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) invites applications for the Future Energy Leaders Innovation Challenge. The program is open to young African innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are developing sustainable energy solutions to address energy poverty and climate change across the continent. Selected participants receive technical mentorship, access to industry networks, and a grant of US$5 thousand to pilot or scale their innovations. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and residents of an African country. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Energy Innovation Challenge
African Center for Aquatic Research and Education — African Women in Freshwater Science
The African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) invites applications for its African Women in Science (AWIS) program to support women pursuing careers in freshwater sciences. The program provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development to female scientists who are citizens of African countries bordering the African Great Lakes (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). AWIS offers financial support to cover research-related expenses and participation in international conferences, though specific grant amounts are not listed. Applications must be submitted by 15 June 2026. Link to ACARE
Digital Energy Facility — Digital Energy Challenge for Startups
The Digital Energy Facility invites applications for the Digital Energy Challenge to support innovative projects in the energy sector across Africa. Start-ups must be in the early stages of development and propose digital solutions that address energy access, grid management, or the integration of renewable energy. Eligible applicants must be registered in an African country or collaborate with local partners. Winners receive a financial award of up to €150 thousand, along with technical assistance and visibility within the digital energy ecosystem. The deadline for applications is 17 June 2026. Digital Energy Challenge
Royal Academy of Engineering — Research Fellowships
The Royal Academy of Engineering offers Research Fellowships to early-career researchers to support them to become future research leaders in engineering. (Note: This may include one or more thematic areas covered by the Terra Viva Grants Directory). Each application is capped at a maximum contribution from the Academy of £625 thousand over five years, at 80% of full economic costs. The Academy welcomes applications from early-career researchers worldwide. The deadline for applications is 25 June 2026. Engineering Research Fellowships
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites letters of inquiry for large grants to support biodiversity conservation in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot. Non-governmental organizations, community groups, private enterprises, and other civil society entities are eligible to apply for projects that strengthen the protection of priority sites and ecosystems. Grants are available for amounts over US$50 thousand to support conservation actions in Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. The deadline for submission is 07 July 2026. Visit the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
African Plant Nutrition Institute — Phosphorus Fellowship
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) accepts applications for the Young African Phosphorus Fellowship. This program aims to support early-career scientists working in African National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems institutions or universities who are conducting innovative research on phosphorus management in African agro-ecosystems. APNI will award up to five fellowships of US$5,000 each. Applicants must be full-time scientists at an African NARES institution or university. The application deadline is 07 July 2026. Phosphorus Fellowship
Blue Carbon + – Coastal Agriculture and Aquaculture Research
Blue Carbon +, a joint initiative by Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy, seeks proposals to investigate the climate change mitigation benefits of specific coastal business models. Qualified post-doctoral researchers and research groups are eligible to apply for this opportunity to conduct literature reviews, field research, and life cycle assessments focused on saltwater agriculture, mangrove-positive shrimp and mud crab production, and seagrass-positive sea cucumber production. While the program is global in scope, current research locations include Portugal, Mexico, Indonesia, Ecuador, Vanuatu, and Zanzibar. The total available budget for this work is US$280 thousand, which covers a two-year project period. The deadline for applications is 10 May 2026. Details here
RES4Africa Foundation — Renewable Energy
The RES4Africa Foundation invites applications for the 2026 edition of RAISEAfrica, a program supporting renewable energy startups and entrepreneurs in Africa. The call is open to African citizens between 18 and 35 years old, or startups registered in Africa, who are developing innovative renewable energy solutions for the African market. Up to six selected participants will receive an initial entry contribution of €3,000, along with mentoring, coaching, and fundraising support. Additionally, participants can compete for the “Young Talent of the Year Award,” which offers a final prize between €5,000 and €10,000. The deadline for applications is 17 May 2026. Link to RES4Africa
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Burkina Faso
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) funds small-scale, high-impact projects in Burkina Faso. Eligible applicants include local non-governmental organizations, community groups, academic institutions, and municipal or national government agencies. Projects must align with thematic priorities such as inclusive governance, peace and security, and economic growth that works for everyone. The average grant size ranges from CAN$45 thousand to CAN$50 thousand, with a maximum allocation of CAN$100 thousand per project. The deadline for applications is 22 May 2026. More