The Savvy Fellowship is a 12-week online learning program for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. Savvy seeks early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs from across Africa working on solving the most pressing problems through innovation. Fellows will receive support, mentorship, and access to a lifelong community in support of their innovative business ideas. Fellows have to be no older than 40 years. The Savvy Fellowship program is open year-round and accepts applications on a rolling basis. More
biotechnology
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology — Collaborative Research Program
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) accepts proposals for the Collaborative Research Program (CRP), aimed at financing projects addressing original scientific problems. The program provides support for original research projects in basic life sciences, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology, and bioenergy. The maximum annual contribution from ICGEB is €25 thousand. Applicants should hold positions at Universities or Research Institutes in ICGEB member states. The application deadline is 30 April 2025. ICGEB Collaborative Research Program
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation — Start-up Support for Social Enterprises
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage, high-impact social enterprises and seeks projects and innovations that dramatically improve the lives of people and the world. Eligibility extends to non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid organizations in the early stages of their development that have scaling potential. The DRK investments are distributed twice a year over a three-year term, totaling $300 thousand. The Foundation has a rolling online application process throughout the year; there is no deadline. Click here
Village Capital — Reshaping Food LATAM
Village Capital supports startups transforming food systems and driving innovation in food waste diversion across Latin America. The program is designed to help startups identify early milestones and prepare for their next round of capital. Eligibility extends to companies that have legal incorporation and operations as a for-profit entity in at least one Latin American country. The application deadline is 14 March 2025. Link
International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology — Research Mobility Grants
The ICGEB SMART Fellowship program provides fellowships to scientists in the early stage of their career wishing to spend between 3 and 9 months at a research institution in an ICGEB Member State other than their own. The stipend ranges from US$ 800 to US$1,500 per month. SMART Fellowships are intended to promote collaboration among researchers. Applications are welcome in any area of the Life Sciences. The application deadline is 31 March 2025. SMART Fellowship
International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology — African Women in Biotechnology
The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme supports South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline who will perform hypothesis-driven research. Proposed research projects must fall within one of the ICGEB areas of research: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, Biopesticides and Virology. The closing date for applications is 15 April 2025. Access more information
iF International Forum Design GmbH — Social Impact Prize
The iF Social Impact Prize aims to publish and support design projects that contribute to solving urgent challenges and help to improve living conditions in the developing world. Solutions should already be established and help to solve well-known issues in any category of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The best projects will share a cash prize of €100 thousand in total. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, companies, and foundations (student concepts will not be accepted). Social projects can be submitted until 03 June 2025. iF Social Impact Prize
OPEC Fund for International Development — Grants
The OPEC Fund provides financial assistance to developing countries, particularly low-income countries, in support of their economic and social development efforts. OPEC will consider requests for (i) grants for country-specific activities and projects; (ii) grants for special development initiatives of global or regional scope; and (iii) emergency aid. In the past, the OPEC Fund has financed projects in agriculture, energy, health, transportation, and water and sanitation sectors. The amount of the contribution will vary according to the scope and the nature of the proposed activity. However, except for emergency aid and small grants in amounts of up to US$100 thousand, OPEC’s contribution should not exceed 50% of the total cost. Eligible partners are any government or non-government entity, including co-financing partners, private sector entities, research entities, UN agencies, and international NGOs. There is no deadline. Know more about the OPEC Fund
HudsonAlpha — AgTech Accelerator
The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator connects cutting-edge, agriculture technology startups to the coaching, capital, and connections they need to build and grow their businesses. Applications are welcome from startups anywhere in the world and innovating in any area of agriculture. Each startup receives a cash investment of US$100 thousand, office space (in Huntsville, USA), and access to a global network of investors. The application deadline is 23 February 2025. AgTech Accelerator
West African Research Association — Residency Fellowship
The West African Research Association, (WARA) offers Residencies for WARA member institutions to host a West African Scholar on their campus. Each residency will last 4-8 weeks. WARA will pay the round-trip travel costs of the selected scholar as well as a stipend of US$3500 to help cover meals and local transportation costs. Applications must be submitted by 23 February 2025. WARA Residency Fellowship