International Day for People of African Descent: Funding & Opportunities for African Communities

[August 2026] Looking for funding and opportunities that support African communities and people of African descent? This guide brings together grants, scholarships, fellowships, awards, incubation programmes, and other opportunities supporting African writers, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, organizations, and communities across the continent. Explore opportunities covering areas such as culture, education, research, entrepreneurship, innovation, health, energy, and community development, with deadlines falling in September and beyond. The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship

Deadline: 22 September 2026

The Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship provides £18,000 to African writers to help them complete the first draft of a full-length book written in English…[more] Pan-African MineTech Startup Incubation Programme

Deadline: December 31, 2026

The United Nations Development Programme is inviting applications to support startups developing technology solutions to improve safety, transparency, and sustainability in the African mining sector…[more] Pan-African Incubation Programme for EdTech Startups

Deadline: 31-December-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the timbuktoo EdTech Hub is inviting applications from African startups and digital solution providers working in education, training, and skills development…[more] Applications open for BfE Incubation Programme

Deadline: October 01, 2026

The BfE Incubation Programme supports early-stage social enterprises in developing financial sustainability while creating meaningful impact in their communities…[more]

Call for Proposals: Water and Sanitation Projects 2026 (Africa)

Deadline: 10-September-2026

The African Water Facility (AWF) has launched its 2026 Call for Proposals to support investment-oriented water and sanitation projects across Africa…[more] Young Leaders in Research Grant for Early-Career African Researchers

Deadline: 07-September-2026

The Young Leaders in Research (YLR) Grant supports early-career African researchers conducting policy-relevant research that can contribute to Africa’s economic transformation…[more] School Leadership Research Grants for African Education Researchers

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is inviting applications for the ACSL Cohort II Grant Program…[more] Submissions open for Africa Energy Innovation Competition

Deadline: 10-September-2026

The Africa Energy Innovation Challenge (AEIC) 2026 invites young African entrepreneurs and innovators to develop solutions addressing energy access, green jobs, agribusiness, manufacturing, fintech, AI, and connectivity challenges…[more] Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants for Implementation Research

Deadline: 15-September-2026

The Joint WHO African Region/TDR Impact Grants support implementation research teams in Africa working to strengthen health systems, improve public health services, and address infectious diseases of poverty…[more]

Call for Entries: APNI Photo Contest

Deadline: 31-October-2026

The APNI Photo Contest invites individuals to submit high-quality photographs documenting nutrient deficiency symptoms in African crops or plant nutrition research in action…[more] Bayreuth Academy Individual Fellowships for African Studies Scholars

Deadline: 05-October-2026

The Bayreuth Academy Individual Fellowships support established scholars working in African Studies to conduct research at the University of Bayreuth in Germany…[more]

Call for Nominations: Africa 4.0 Awards 2026

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The Africa 4.0 Awards recognize African innovators, researchers, companies, leaders, and women advancing smart manufacturing, digital transformation, and Industry 4.0 across the continent…[more] Applications Open for Dementia, Mental Health and Brain Ageing School (Africa)

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The Dementia, Mental Health and Brain Ageing School is an in-person professional development programme in Nairobi, Kenya, designed for graduate students, early career researchers, fellows, and medical professionals across Africa…[more] Encephalitis International Seed Funding for Research Projects 2026

Deadline: 30-September-2026

The Encephalitis International Seed Funding Programme provides grants of up to £10,000 to support pilot encephalitis research projects based in Africa…[more]

West Africa Clean Cooking Fund: Advancing Clean Cooking Adoption

Deadline: 31-December-2026

The West Africa Clean Cooking Fund is a regional funding initiative that supports NGOs and impact-driven organizations implementing projects that expand access to clean cooking solutions, particularly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), across West Africa…[more]