The Africa Sustainable Futures Awards recognize commercially viable and scalable initiatives contributing to sustainable development across Africa. The awards cover five categories: Access to Electricity & Infrastructure, Agribusiness, Healthcare, Local Manufacturing, and Tourism, with an additional Judges’ Award for Excellence. Winners will receive global visibility, recognition at the FT Africa Summit in London, and opportunities to network with global leaders. The application deadline is 15 August 2025. Link to the Africa Sustainable Futures Awards
individuals
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
World Bank Group — Africa Fellowship Program 2026
The Africa Region of the World Bank Group seeks applications for the 2026 WBG-Africa Fellowship Program for Ph.D. Students and recent Ph.D. graduates who are Sub-Saharan nationals. Fellows will spend at least six months at the World Bank offices in Washington, D.C., or in a Sub-Saharan country, getting hands-on experience in development work. While benefiting from research and innovation in multiple sectors, fellows will also work on economic policy, technical assistance, and lending to eliminate poverty and increase shared prosperity. Fellows will receive consultant fees, economy-class air travel, and worker’s compensation insurance. The program invites applications from recent Ph.D. graduates, or current doctoral students, in disciplinary fields that include agriculture, energy, and others. The deadline to submit applications is 25 August 2025. Link to the fellowship
Both ENDS — JWH Initiative
The Joke Waller-Hunter (JWH) Initiative offers grants to advance the leadership of young individuals working for or affiliated with environmental civil society organizations in developing and emerging countries. JWH especially encourages the nomination of young women and local community leaders. Grants range from €2,500 to €7,000. The next nomination deadline is 28 August 2025. Details here
Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Endangered Species Fund
The Brookfield Zoo Chicago administers conservation grants funded by the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The Fund’s priority is to support projects that assist directly in the protection of populations of threatened and endangered species; or that protect a specific habitat that is of high biological value or that is substantially threatened (IUCN Red List Status). Grants are up to US$7 thousand. The application deadline for concept notes is 31 August 2025. General directions
Purpose Earth — Grants and Mentorship
Purpose Earth is a grant and mentorship program empowering leaders and their transformative solutions to our global challenges. Purpose Earth supports projects that are finding creative solutions within the areas of environmental protection, community activation, and cultural collaboration. Grant funding is up to US$10 thousand per recipient. The deadline to apply is 31 August 2025. Purpose Earth Grant Award
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Women-led Agribusinesses
The Women’s Market Access Open Innovation Challenge invites women-led or gender-inclusive agribusinesses operating in Somalia to submit solutions that enhance market access, competitiveness, financial inclusion, and scalability for women agro-entrepreneurs. Funding and support will be provided to a select group of participants. The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2025. Details
African Centre for Technology Studies — Innovation Challenge
The AI4D Innovation Scaling Challenge offers up to US$100 thousand in seed funding to scale AI solutions already deployed in real-world settings across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative supports innovations addressing climate action, agriculture, education, gender/disability inclusion, and inequality, and provides not only funding but also mentorship. Eligible applicants include individual researchers, startups, universities, and consortia based in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, and others in the region. The deadline to apply is 04 September 2025. AI4D
Nippon Foundation — Ocean Fellowship
The United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship provides government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing states with advanced training on ocean affairs and the law of the sea. The 9-month fellowship program is composed of two consecutive phases which provide fellows with advanced and customized research and training opportunities. Fellows will receive a stipend each month during their fellowship. The stipend is intended to cover the cost of lodging, boarding, and other essentials such as local transport. In addition to the stipend, fellows will be provided with a book allowance of US$100 per month. Candidates must be between the ages of 25 and 40. The call for applications is open until 14 September 2025. Nippon Foundation Fellowship
Vital Impacts — Environmental Photography Grant
The Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant offers one US$20 thousand grant for an established photographer and six US$5 thousand grants for emerging photographers to support 12-month documentary projects focused on local, solution-oriented environmental or wildlife conservation stories. Eligible applicants must be community-rooted photojournalists who collaborate with local stakeholders. The deadline for submission is 15 September 2025. Environmental Photography Grant