Grants and Awards

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

If your startup has the ability to create innovative, technology-driven solutions in your industry, then we invite you to submit your application to NPI 2.0. By participating, you have the chance to win up to US$220,000 in prizes in the NSIA Prize for Innovation and also receive an all-expense paid training program in Silicon Valley, USA. NPI, sponsored by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), aims to promote innovation in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and support local solutions that can contribute to socio-economic development. The program is designed to foster creativity within the digital ecosystem and provide funding for early-stage, growth-oriented solutions. Its ultimate goal is to drive transformative economic growth,

Applications are now being accepted for the Agribusiness Challenge Fund, part of the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity Agribusiness Challenge Fund. This fund is the second phase of a program initiated by the Mastercard Foundation, following the successful implementation of the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Rural Prosperity. The first phase of the program, which ran for eight years starting in 2014, supported 38 participants from 15 African countries. These participants focused on developing and scaling financial products and services for the rural population, with a particular emphasis on agriculture. The Fund exceeded its initial target by enabling over 5.3 million people to access financial products and services. Building

Applications are currently being accepted for the TEF Women Entrepreneurship For Africa (WE4A) Program. The initiative, known as the “Women Entrepreneurship for Africa” (WE4A) program, is a collaborative effort supported by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is being executed by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and the German Development agency GIZ (E4D program). The program’s primary focus is on empowering marginalized communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly women, youth, and those in the informal sector. The Acceleration/Growth Programme will be carried out with the assistance of SAFEEM (Swiss Association for Entrepreneurship

Applications for the 2024 Next Generation Foresight Practitioners (NGFP) Fellowship are now being accepted. This fellowship offers young professionals the opportunity to receive additional support as they delve into the field of futures and foresight. Recognizing that being a futurist can often feel isolating, especially for young individuals balancing this passion alongside their regular jobs, the fellowship aims to create a community where like-minded individuals can connect, access mentorship, enhance their foresight skills, engage in regional and sector-specific activities, and secure funding for their projects. Fellows will also have the chance to participate in relevant events within the futures and foresight realm and network with influential decision-makers. Eligibility for the

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 IBM Sustainability Accelerator Program. This program is specifically designed for technology-driven projects that aim to advance resilient cities. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities, this year’s cohort will work towards finding innovative ways to foster urban resiliency in the long run. The IBM Sustainability Accelerator is open to nonprofit and government organizations worldwide. It aims to support communities that are vulnerable to environmental challenges by selecting a new sustainability topic and a cohort of organizations each year. Key features of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator include: – Global reach

Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, UNDP has been actively involved in providing capacity building and policy development support to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Our focus areas include Governance & Peace Building, Inclusive growth, and Sustainable Development. We are proud to continue supporting the government in the preparation of the second National Implementation Plan of the National Vision 20:2020. Through partnerships with the Federal Government, development partners, UN agencies, civil society, and local communities, UNDP strives to identify local solutions to address national development challenges. Our interventions leverage UNDP’s expertise and comparative advantage in the areas of Governance & Peace Building, Inclusive growth, and Sustainable Development. Job Type: Full

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge. This global competition, launched by the UN Secretary General, President of the World Bank, and the Council of Women World Leaders at the UN General Assembly in 2018, is specifically designed for women social entrepreneurs who are driving progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspiring their communities to create a better world by 2030. The challenge aims to recognize the innovative work of these women entrepreneurs and provide them with capacity-building training sessions and opportunities to connect with a global network of like-minded individuals. By showcasing the valuable contributions of women social entrepreneurs and

Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Gender Grants are given annually to member universities in order to provide support for initiatives that will enhance gender equity and equality on campus. These grants can be utilized for a wide range of projects, workshops, and events that focus on various areas such as: supporting women in leadership, raising awareness about sexual harassment and developing anti-sexual harassment initiatives, supporting women in science and research, creating effective institutional policies, and mainstreaming gender equity into the curriculum. In collaboration with the Martha Farrell Foundation, the ACU is offering three additional Gender Grants that specifically aim to develop effective anti-sexual harassment policies and strategies. These grants draw

The James Dyson Award for Designers Worldwide presents an opportunity for aspiring inventors to establish their reputation. In addition to the chance of winning a substantial cash prize, participants have the potential to gain media exposure that can jumpstart their careers. Furthermore, this recognition can earn them the respect of their peers and provide the confidence needed to embark on their own entrepreneurial ventures. THE TASK – CREATE A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM The task at hand is broad, as we seek designers who possess a unique perspective in order to develop products that function more effectively. Engineers adhere to an iterative design process. The judges, particularly James Dyson, are

Enhancing competitive Internet connectivity networks is essential for narrowing the digital divide and ensuring widespread access to the digital economy’s benefits, including online education, healthcare, and e-commerce. By fostering interconnected economies, GDP can be boosted and new markets for goods and services can be created. Access to digital financial services in emerging markets empowers local entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions tailored to their specific challenges, often resulting in groundbreaking innovations that have the potential to scale globally. For instance, M-PESA, a mobile money solution, originated as a local response to an African issue and has now become a global service with demonstrated poverty-alleviating effects. Catalytic Capital for Internet Access and

Are you part of an impact-focused organization in the fields of health, education, or economic mobility, equipped with a clear theory of change or business strategy? Do you have a strong dedication to utilizing AI to provide a secure, private, and personalized WhatsApp chat service? Can you exhibit a firm commitment to developing practical applications over an extended period of time? $35,000 GenAI Accelerator for WhatsApp Chat Chat for Impact: GenAI Accelerator is searching for organizations that already have a digital service in operation (not necessarily AI-driven) and are interested in developing and implementing innovative LLM-powered chat solutions. Turn.io will assist in enhancing the impact of ten organizations through an

If you fall within the age range of 14-24 and have a concept or an established initiative aimed at safeguarding or rejuvenating nature in your community, we encourage you to apply for the Iris Prize. The Iris Prize acknowledges that nature restoration can take various forms, ranging from traditional land management to innovative technological solutions. By rewarding both new ideas and established projects, the prize aims to address the obstacles that often hinder young individuals from advocating for change related to nature. There are three prize categories available in the Iris Prize 1. The Seed Prize: This prize, amounting to $5,000, is awarded to a young person or team with

The Thrive Philanthropy Grant Program is currently accepting applications for funding initiatives that aim to establish equitable, plant-based food systems by reducing animal consumption, addressing industrial animal agriculture, or promoting vegan advocacy. The Thrive Grant is specifically designed for mid-size or larger organizations, as well as those with a proven track record of success. Please note that only organizations outside of the USA or international chapters of USA organizations are eligible for this grant. Recipients are typically limited to one grant per year. Emphasizing equity, proposals led by women, people of color, and other marginalized individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Funding Information for the Thrive Philanthropy Grant Program The