The FIRE Africa Grants support new projects from organisations led by female entrepreneurs focusing on practical solution(s) that use technology to address specific challenges faced by women and girls. Selected projects will receive up to US$15 thousand and benefit from a series of institutional strengthening and capacity building activities aimed at providing the knowledge, tools and contacts needed to further advance successful initiatives. Projects from African-based public or private sector organizations, universities, or research and development institutions, and non-government organizations will be considered. Grants applications close 06 April 2018. More
energy
Tata Trusts — Social Alpha Energy Challenge
The first edition of the Social Alpha Energy Challenge (SAEC) invites individuals and start-ups with innovative technology solutions across the entire energy life cycle to apply to the Social Alpha Energy Challenge. Up to ten winners will be awarded 6-18 months of intense mentoring at the upcoming Tata Smart Energy Incubation Center. The Challenge calls for innovations across the entire energy lifecycle and is open to energy application in all use cases including (but not limited to) households, agriculture, biofuels, and others. The contest is open to individuals, teams or companies. The deadline for application is 07 April 2018. Details here
Western Union — Scholarship for Undergraduate Study
The Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program is a program designed to support young people and their efforts to pursue a post-secondary education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or business/entrepreneurship. Selected scholarship recipients will receive USD $2,500 each to contribute toward tuition at an accredited post-secondary institution. All applicants for scholarships must be between the ages of 18 – 26 years of age. The application period closes 13 April 2018. About the scholarship
GSMA — Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund
The GSMA Ecosystem Accelerator Innovation Fund will support projects that use mobile technologies to improve access to energy, water, and/or sanitation services for underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. Applications are welcome from mobile network operators and mobile tower companies in partnerships with service providers for energy, water, and sanitation. Grants are up to £250 thousand. The deadline for concept notes is 15 April 2018. Find the details here
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland — Southern African Innovation Support Programme
SAIS 2 provides grants to projects that seek to pilot, demonstrate and replicate concepts and prototypes before rolling them out to the market. (Note: this may include one or more thematic areas of the Terra Viva Grants directory). The objective is to support entrepreneurship and early-stage entrepreneurs as well as to strengthen the cooperation amongst innovation organizations in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Innovation support organizations from research/academia, civil society and private sector are encouraged to apply. The deadline for proposals is 25 April 2018. Find out more
USAID — Young Women Transform Prize
USAID will support youth in developing countries to develop their own solutions to advance the economic empowerment of young women in their communities. Prizes of $15 – $35 thousand will be awarded to grassroots youth-led or youth-serving organizations in low- or middle-income countries to address long-standing barriers to young women’s employment. Applications are due by 30 April 2018. Details
European Commission — Sustainable Development in Africa
The European Commission supports civil society organizations and local authorities in Gabon and in São Tomé and Príncipe in the conduct of good governance and sustainable development. Proposed projects must strengthen the capacities of active civil society organizations in the fields of economic development, the environment, innovation and the business sector, with specific attention to women. The grant amount ranges from € 600 thousand to € 1 million. The deadline for submitting applications is 15 May 2018. Find the call for proposals
World Academy of Sciences — C.N.R. Rao Prize for Scientific Research 2018
The prize is named after TWAS Founding Fellow and former president C.N.R. Rao to honor TWAS Fellows from the developing world. The special focus is scientists in the world’s scientifically lagging and least-developed countries who have made significant contributions to global science. The amount of the prize is US$5 thousand. The closing date is 31 May 2018. Link
Society for International Development — Andrew E. Rice Award 2018
The Andrew E. Rice Award for Leadership and Innovation recognizes the achievements of an exceptional young professional working in the field of international development. Past winners include field research on agriculture strategies and the creation of low-cost digital games that inspire social change. Candidates must be between 22 to 32 years old and have at least two years of experience in international development in developing countries. The winner will receive $1,000. Candidates must complete the application form by 26 March 2018. Here
UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme — World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018
Candidates who wish to attend the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018 under the theme of ‘Protecting Heritage in an Ever-Changing World’ from 17 to 26 June 2018 in Manama (Bahrain) are invited to apply for a conference scholarship. The Forum aims to transmit the values of World Heritage, highlighting the potential that World Heritage education may have for facilitating sustainable development. All travel and accommodation costs for the selected participants will be covered. The organizers will assist in the travel preparations (including visas) and bookings. Applications have to be submitted by 31 March 2018. Find details