Grants and Awards

At Micro Grants, we comprehend the challenges and obstacles that small businesses encounter when it comes to obtaining funding. Stemming from personal experiences, we have acknowledged the necessity for a funding solution that is more accessible and favorable to ‘small businesses’. Micro Grants is an initiative driven by the community, dedicated to empowering and simplifying the funding journey for small businesses, while also providing high-quality education. We provide a range of support services, including free digital products and meticulously designed courses available in our resource library. With the assistance of our corporate sponsors and partners, we award a monthly micro-grant of N100,000 to small businesses operating in Nigeria. We also

Connak Foundation Entrepreneurship Initiative emerged in 2012 as a catalyst for positive change, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in local communities. Our primary goal is to empower and stimulate economic growth in the eastern region of Nigeria, liberating it from the shackles of social discord and stagnation. Our mission is to guide the way towards a brighter future, where the dreams and ambitions of young individuals are reignited, and rural communities regain their vitality. We understand the urgency of redirecting the potential of young minds trapped in the grip of social vices such as drug abuse, violence, kidnapping, rape, and cultism. With unwavering

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 Tony Elumelu Foundation/UNDP/Aguka Ideation Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative, a partnership between the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme, the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts, and the European Union, is designed to empower young entrepreneurs in Rwanda. The primary goal of the program is to boost youth employability, create more than 100,000 job opportunities, and contribute to the growth of the private sector and the overall socioeconomic development of Rwanda. Eligibility for the Tony Elumelu Foundation/UNDP Aguka Ideation Entrepreneurship Program Young Rwandan individuals, including women, men, and persons with disabilities aged 18–30, are strongly encouraged to submit their applications for

The African Union Commission (AUC) is pleased to announce the launch of the second Grant Call for civic tech innovations in Africa, with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The Grant process is overseen by the Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) and Ushahidi, who are continental partners. The African Union Civic Tech Fund aims to support initiatives that enhance citizen engagement through the innovative use of data and digital technologies, particularly those led by or relevant to youth. These initiatives should provide targeted civic technology solutions. The main objective is to showcase effective models of citizen participation, promote the scalability of initiatives, and influence policy to

The Wema Bank / Lagos Leather Fair Accelerator is a dedicated program aimed at empowering and driving the growth of leather designers and entrepreneurs to foster innovation, business development, and industry expertise. Emerging leather brands will have access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities through this program. The curriculum will focus on essential industry aspects such as product design, manufacturing, branding, marketing, and e-commerce strategies. It will also provide guidance and mentorship from industry experts. Additionally, strategic partnerships and collaborations will enable access to funding opportunities, marketplaces, and distribution channels. Benefits of the Wema Bank / Lagos Leather Fair Accelerator Program Engaging Workshops The curriculum will be customized to cover

Applications are currently being accepted for the Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize. This prestigious award recognizes leaders who possess qualities such as innovation, courage, dynamism, and ethics, and who understand that global challenges require global solutions. Eligibility These leaders are proactive and do not wait for politicians to resolve issues, but instead take action themselves. They also acknowledge that borders and barriers, whether physical or cognitive, hinder our ability to address and overcome the challenges of today. Furthermore, they reject the various “isms” that have become substitutes for critical thinking in our society, such as nationalism, exceptionalism, racism, and wokeism. The prize is open to nominees from any country and any

The Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) is a program organized by GDN that brings together a diverse community of researchers and development practitioners. This program aims to identify talented individuals and support their career advancement in the Global South. Additionally, GDAC funds innovative social development projects implemented by NGOs, which benefit marginalized groups in the developing world. The theme for the 2024 edition of GDAC is “Sustainable Climate Action for Human-Centered Development.” This edition will feature two categories of awards: 1. The Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) 2024 Edition: This is a competitive research grant program that seeks to identify and fund exceptional research proposals. These proposals

Applications for the eighth edition of the BeChangeMake Social Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme, presented by WorldSkills and the HP Foundation, and supported by UNESCO-UNEVOC, are now open. BeChangeMaker is an annual online training programme that offers tools and technology for startup acceleration, dedicated coaching, mentoring, customized support, and access to a diverse global network of potential supporters and investors. Benefits of the BeChangeMake Social Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme From June to September, the selected 30 teams will have access to high-quality learning content on HP LIFE tailored for entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and lifelong learners worldwide. The top five teams will have the opportunity to present their social business ideas at the

Africa’s food sector is currently facing significant challenges in climate resilience, food security, and nutrition. The urgency for innovative solutions has never been more critical. Are you a pioneering agripreneur taking a stand against these pressing issues? Do you have a game-changing initiative that is reshaping the agrifood industry? We are eager to learn about your work. Apply for the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition 2024 Before you proceed, please take a moment to carefully review our essential eligibility criteria and terms. Keep in mind that you can save your progress and return to your application at any time. A well-crafted application is key to gaining visibility for your business. To

Applications are currently being accepted for the Women for Africa Foundation Learn Africa Scholarship Programme. Requirements: – Must be a woman with nationality and residency in an African country. – Must be enrolled in an African university or hold a university degree from an African country. For postgraduate scholarships, a Bachelor’s degree is necessary. The specific degree required may vary depending on the scholarship applied for (refer to detailed information on each scholarship). – Must meet the specific requirements of the scholarship being applied for. – Only one application per individual will be considered. Technical and academic requirements: – It is crucial to carefully review the information provided in the

The Federal Ministry of Education is pleased to announce that applications are currently being accepted for the 2023/2024 Nigerian Scholarship Award (NSA) and Education Bursary Award (EBA). Interested and qualified Nigerians are encouraged to apply for this prestigious opportunity to study in Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NIGERIAN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: – Postgraduate applicants must hold a minimum of a first degree with Second Class Honours in the Upper Division. – Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at Federal or State Universities. – Undergraduate, HND, and NCE applicants must be registered as full-time students in their second year or higher at Federal or State Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics,

The HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator, in partnership with gener8tor, provides funding of up to $100K to ten high-growth startups annually, with cohorts of five, that are leading the way in agricultural innovation. This program takes place in person in Huntsville, AL (also known as Rocket City) and is conveniently located near NASA’s headquarters. By combining HudsonAlpha’s expertise in agriscience, including agriculture genomics, plant breeding, and crop diversity, with gener8tor’s extensive network of mentors and investors, as well as Huntsville’s reputation as a technology hub, this program supports startups that are addressing the challenges of sustainably feeding and powering a growing global population. Startups from any part of the world are encouraged

The 2024 Visa Everywhere Initiative Global Innovation Program is now accepting applications. This open innovation program is designed to assist startups, such as yours, in discovering new possibilities and providing a worldwide platform to showcase your groundbreaking solutions. Initially introduced in the United States in 2015, the program rapidly expanded to become a global initiative. To date, nearly 15,000 startups have applied, and many of them now collaborate with Visa or its clients. We are particularly interested in fintech startups that offer innovative payment and commerce solutions to both consumers and businesses. This encompasses a wide range of products and services. Emerging Spaces Artificial Intelligence Big Data/Open Banking Cloud Computing