The Olusegun Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and/or Technological Innovation honors African scientists who have made outstanding contributions in scientific discovery or technological innovation. The bi-annual prize will be awarded in each of the following fields: (1) Biotechnology, (2) Energy, (3) Information and Communication Technologies, or (4) Material Sciences. The prize may be awarded to an individual or jointly to two or more persons who will share the cash award of US$5 thousand. The prize is open to all African scientists and technologists. Candidates have to be nominated but self-nominations will also be accepted. The last date for receipt of nominations is 22 December 2020. Details here
awards/prizes
Kingdom of Bahrain — King Hamad Award for Sustainable Development
The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks youth contribution and projects that enable youth participation for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The first category of the King Hamad Award is open to individuals (under the age of 30) or a youth-focused entity that develop initiatives to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet’s natural resources and climate, and promote peace. Five winners will receive US$20 thousand each. The second category is open to governmental, private sector, media, and nonprofit entities. Three winners will receive US$25 thousand each. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2020. More information
OpenIDEO — Reimagine Charitable Giving Challenge
The Reimagine Charitable Giving Challenge seeks innovative digital ideas on how we might reinforce a culture of generosity by creating charitable giving solutions that are more accessible, inclusive, and effective. Ideas, concepts, startups and organizations at any stage of development are invited to participate and may be submitted to the challenge. Up to 10 concepts will be selected as finalists and receive a share of up to US$100 thousand in prize funding. Submissions are accepted until 06 November 2020. Click for details
SVG Ventures — THRIVE Africa Challenge
Silicon Valley Global Ventures is an investment, technology and advisory firm that invests in companies that go through their accelerator program. The THRIVE Africa Challenge seeks innovative solutions specifically designed for the African agrifood industry. SVG Ventures will select the best startups and scale-ups for investment. The winner will participate in the Silicon Valley Startup Bootcamp (Summer 2021) and have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of global investors. The challenge is open to agrifood companies in Africa. The application deadline is 20 November 2020. Link to THRIVE Africa
NaturVision Filmfestival — Documentary Competition
NaturVision is a nature and environmental film festival in Ludwigsburg (German) with focus on documentary productions on the subjects of nature, wildlife, people, environment, and sustainability. NaturVision seeks film entries for its 2021 festival in 12 different categories. The competition is open to new and established filmmakers as well as television production companies from anywhere in the world. The “NaturVision Competition” awards prizes ranging from €1 thousand to €10 thousand in various categories. Early submission is free of charge until 30 November 2020. Link to the NaturVision Competition
Nestlé — Creating Shared Value Prize for a Waste-Free Future
Nestlé and Ashoka welcome applications to the Nestlé “Creating Shared Value” Prize. The 2020 Prize seeks innovative solutions to address global pollution challenges and supports initiatives that work towards a waste-free future. Social enterprises, for-profit businesses and NGOs worldwide are eligible to apply. Applications from local grassroots organizations are preferred over applications from international large-scale organizations. Up to five winners will share a cash prize of CHF250 thousand. The deadline for applications is 06 December 2020. Guidelines
African Development Bank — Youth Agripreneur AgriPitch Competition
The African Development Bank connects youth-led African businesses with global investors. The goal of the AgriPitch Competition is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture among youth in Africa and improve livelihoods through inclusive growth. African companies are invited to submit their project proposals for consideration. The African Development Bank will award shortlisted businesses between up to US$40 thousand in the form of grant capital. The application deadline is 15 October 2020. Details here
Luc Hoffmann Institute — Diversifying Community Livelihoods from Wildlife
The Luc Hoffmann Institute, the African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation and the WWF launch a global innovation challenge.The principal aim of the “Beyond Tourism in Africa” challenge is to discover new revenue models that do not depend on tourism, but still enable local communities in Africa to derive income from wildlife. Any individual or team with bold ideas from around the world may apply. Up to 15 ideas will be selected. Successful applicants will win a place in the African Leadership University’s 8-month incubation program. During the incubation program, participants may receive a grant of up to US$10 thousand. The final submission deadline is 15 October 2020. Link to the Beyond Tourism Challenge
World Meteorological Organization — World Meteorological Day Photo Competition
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) invites photographers to submit high-quality and artistic photographs which illustrate the theme of World Meteorological Day “The Ocean, our Climate and Weather.” Winning entries will feature in the WMO 2021 online calendar. The competition is open to everybody. The deadline for entry is 15 September 2020. Link to competition
ISEKI-Food Association — Food Biodiversity Student Competition
The 2020 Food Factory-4-Us Sustainable Supply Chain International Student Competition seeks great ideas for valorizing food biodiversity. The competition is open to Master’s students enrolled in a food study program in any country. Participants have to form teams of 3-5 students, get a faculty mentor and present a project proposal. Each team will have access to online trainings. The winning team will receive an award of €300 and be invited to the NextFOOD Project Meeting in 2021. The deadline for submissions is 07 October 2020. Participate