1. Common Ground Program Opportunity & Innovation Grants 2026 (up to €4,500)
The Common Ground Program Opportunity & Innovation Grants support civil society organisations, informal collectives and community-based groups working to bridge social divides and strengthen trust in the Western Balkans. The funding can be used to test promising approaches, conduct pilot activities or feasibility studies, respond to emerging political and community developments, and prepare stronger applications for larger funding opportunities. Twenty grants of up to €4,500 are available. Applicants should present a clear local challenge, explain how the proposed intervention will foster dialogue or social cohesion, and show that the activities are feasible, proportionate and capable of producing meaningful community-level results.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Nov. 2
2. KCIC Cleantech Innovation Competition 2026
The KCIC Cleantech Innovation Competition supports university students in Kenya who are developing early-stage ideas capable of solving environmental problems through commercially viable businesses. Eligible innovations may focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency, water, agriculture, commercial forestry or waste management. Selected participants gain business development support, mentorship, skills training, investor exposure and access to financing networks. Strong applications should demonstrate a credible environmental benefit, potential for job creation, evidence of progress, originality and a realistic pathway for turning the proposed technology or business model into a scalable enterprise.
Click here to apply| Deadline: Aug. 10
3. Future of Life Institute Digital Media Accelerator 2026
The Future of Life Institute Digital Media Accelerator supports established digital creators who want to produce compelling public-interest content about artificial intelligence, AI safety and the wider social implications of advanced technologies. The programme is suitable for creators with an existing audience, strong content ideas and the ability to translate complex debates into accessible and engaging formats. Selected creators receive support to develop impactful digital media, grow their channels and expand public understanding of issues such as AI control, governance, concentrated corporate power and responsible technology development. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Rolling Basis
4. Pear VC Fellows Program 2026
The Pear VC Fellows Program is a selective apprenticeship for undergraduate, MBA and PhD students who want practical exposure to venture capital and startup investing. Fellows gain access to deal flow, structured training, one-to-one mentorship and opportunities to support company due diligence, investment research and sector analysis. Participants may also lead entrepreneurship events and build stronger networks among founders, investors and university communities. The programme is particularly suitable for proactive candidates with strong entrepreneurial connections, industry expertise or a demonstrated commitment to helping early-stage businesses grow.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 9
5. EforAll Business Accelerator Program 2026
The Entrepreneurship for All Business Accelerator is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners who need practical support to launch, strengthen or grow their ventures. Participants receive intensive business training, mentorship, peer learning and access to a supportive entrepreneurial network. The programme helps founders clarify their value proposition, understand customers, improve financial planning and develop a realistic growth strategy. It is suitable for entrepreneurs from a wide range of sectors, including founders who have historically faced barriers to accessing traditional business support and investment networks.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 6
6. UNDP Pan-African Incubation Programme for CreativeTech Startups 2026
The UNDP Pan-African Incubation Programme invites African CreativeTech startups to join the timbuktoo Launchpad ecosystem. The programme supports technology-enabled businesses operating across digital media, animation, gaming, music, film, design, creator platforms, immersive technology and other creative industries. Selected startups receive structured incubation, mentorship, digital tools, investment-readiness support and access to a pan-African network of founders, incubators and investors. Applicants should have a prototype or minimum viable product, a committed founding team and a solution with clear growth and scalability potential. Women-led startups, youth founders and entrepreneurs from underserved communities are particularly encouraged.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Rolling Basis
7. Purpose Earth Grant Award 2027 (up to $10,000)
The Purpose Earth Grant Award provides funding and mentorship to individuals and organisations developing practical responses to environmental, community and cultural challenges. Eligible projects may focus on environmental protection, community activation or cultural collaboration. Successful applicants should present a clearly defined initiative with evidence of local relevance, an achievable implementation plan and the potential to create sustained positive impact. Grant recipients also benefit from mentorship and connection to a wider network of purpose-driven leaders. Applications may close early once the programme reaches its maximum number of submissions.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 10
8. Ag-SME Bootcamp & Pitch Competition 2026 (up to ₦1,000,000)
The Ag-SME Bootcamp and Pitch Competition is a fully sponsored business-development programme for young Nigerian entrepreneurs building small and medium-sized enterprises in agriculture and food systems. The three-day intervention strengthens investment readiness, improves access to business development services and helps participants refine their business models and pitches. Delivered through a partnership involving the Enterprise Development Centre, AGRA, SMEDAN and Kaduna Business School, the programme combines practical training, expert guidance and access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem. High-performing participants may compete for grants of up to ₦1,000,000 to support business growth.
Click here to apply | Deadline: July 24
9. Association of Commonwealth Universities Global Grants 2026 (up to GBP 5,000)
The Association of Commonwealth Universities Global Grants provide funding to undergraduate students at ACU member universities who want to participate in short-term academic programmes hosted by another ACU member institution in a different Commonwealth country. Although primarily an academic mobility grant, it can support entrepreneurial and innovation-focused learning where the selected summer or winter school strengthens practical knowledge, networks and leadership. Applicants should identify an eligible programme, demonstrate the relevance of the experience to their academic and professional development, and show readiness to participate in an international learning environment.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 25
10. Aerospace Accelerator Program 2026 (up to $200,000)
The Aerospace Accelerator Program supports early-stage startups developing technology-driven solutions for the aerospace sector. Selected ventures can receive up to $200,000 in grant funding, including support for a founder’s salary, alongside expert guidance, professional development and access to the Aerospace Innovation Hub. The programme is suited to technically strong founders with a commercially viable product or service and a clear plan for market entry. Eligible founders must have the legal right to work in Canada, hold a substantial ownership stake in the business and be prepared to maintain a presence in Calgary during the programme.
Click here to apply | Deadline: September 30, 2026
11. New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellowship 2026 ($10,000 stipend)
The New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellowship is a six-month hybrid programme for innovators and founders working on solutions to climate and environmental challenges. It combines expert-led learning, one-to-one mentorship, non-dilutive financial support and access to a global network of industry, research and investment partners. Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend while developing stronger technical, commercial and leadership capabilities. The programme is particularly valuable for candidates seeking to transform climate-focused ideas into scalable ventures or strengthen an existing innovation through structured guidance and ecosystem access.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 1
12. iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab 2026 (up to ₦10,000,000)
The iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab supports aspiring and early-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs building technology-enabled businesses in the digital and creative economy. Implemented under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme in partnership with the Bank of Industry, the initiative combines entrepreneurial training, expert mentorship and access to capital. Participants strengthen their business models, market strategy, financial management and readiness for investment. High-potential ventures may access funding of up to ₦10,000,000, making the programme particularly suitable for founders with scalable ideas and the commitment to build competitive enterprises.
Click here to apply | Deadline: July 26
13. International Finance Corporation Women-Led Business Grant 2026 (up to $750,000)
The IFC Women-Led Business Grant supports businesses with at least 51 per cent women ownership or women in senior executive leadership. The programme offers non-dilutive funding ranging from $25,000 to $750,000, alongside leadership coaching and access to a global peer network. It is open across sectors and geographies, making it relevant to women founders seeking capital to expand operations, enter new markets, strengthen teams or increase social and economic impact. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate business traction, credible leadership, growth potential and a clear use of the requested funding.
Click here to apply | Deadline: August 20
14. International Finance Corporation SME Growth Accelerator 2026 (up to $1.5 million)
The IFC SME Growth Accelerator is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises scale their operations, expand into new markets and create quality employment. The programme combines strategic mentorship, access to business and investment networks, and opportunities for follow-on financing of up to $1.5 million. It is suitable for established SMEs with evidence of market demand and a realistic growth plan. Competitive applicants should demonstrate strong management, operational capacity, job-creation potential and the ability to deploy external support effectively to achieve measurable business expansion.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Nov. 15
15. Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition 2026
The Wharton Africa Business Forum New Venture Competition gives early-stage businesses connected to Africa an opportunity to pitch before investors, business leaders and members of the Wharton entrepreneurship community. Eligible ventures must have fewer than 50 full-time employees, have raised less than $250,000 and maintain a direct link to Africa, although they may be headquartered elsewhere. Finalists gain visibility, feedback and access to an influential network, while top ventures may receive non-dilutive funding. Applicants should present a compelling problem, differentiated solution, credible team and clear potential for growth.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 1
16. Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2026 (up to $15,000)
The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge supports young founders aged 18 to 30 who are already leading projects or startups that deliver measurable social or environmental impact. Multiple grant awards of up to $15,000 are available, alongside application support, learning resources, global exposure and connection to a community of young impact leaders. The challenge is suitable for youth-led ventures with demonstrated activity rather than purely conceptual ideas. Strong applications should explain the problem being addressed, provide evidence of impact and present a realistic plan for using the funding to deepen or scale results.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Aug. 31
17. Apply to Y Combinator – Fall 2026 (up to $500,000)
Y Combinator’s Fall 2026 batch offers ambitious startup founders an opportunity to join one of the world’s most influential accelerator programmes. Selected companies receive investment of up to $500,000, intensive founder support, access to a powerful alumni network and the opportunity to present to investors. The programme is open across sectors and welcomes founders at different stages, including teams with an early product or strong concept. Competitive applicants should demonstrate a clear problem, strong founder insight, speed of execution, market potential and the capacity to build a large and enduring company.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Jul. 27
18. Open Startup Science Road Program 2026
The Open Startup Science Road Program supports ambitious technology and deep-technology founders through separate pre-seed and seed tracks. The programme is designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen product development, business strategy, investment readiness and connections within innovation ecosystems. It is particularly relevant to startups translating scientific research or advanced technical knowledge into commercially viable solutions. Applicants should identify the track that best reflects their stage, demonstrate a capable founding team and explain how the programme will help move the venture towards stronger validation, financing and market growth.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Jul. 31
19. Indie Games Fund Africa 2026 (up to $1 million)
The Indie Games Fund Africa provides non-dilutive cash awards and hands-on support to small games studios legally registered in Africa. The programme is designed to help selected studios build, improve and grow high-quality games on Google Play without surrendering equity. Successful applicants receive financial support as well as access to technical, business and product expertise. The opportunity is suitable for independent studios with an existing game or credible development pipeline, a committed team and the ambition to reach wider audiences through commercially sustainable mobile gaming businesses.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Jul. 31
20. KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition 2026
The KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition identifies high-potential technology companies and gives founders a platform to showcase their innovations before investors, industry leaders and international audiences. National winners may advance to a global final, gaining valuable exposure, business connections and expert feedback. The competition is suitable for technology-driven startups with a differentiated solution, a clear customer need and credible potential to scale. Applicants should be prepared to communicate their business model, competitive advantage, market traction and long-term vision in a concise and compelling pitch.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Jul. 31
21. Miller Center Accelerator Program 2027
The Miller Center Accelerator supports social enterprises developing market-based solutions to poverty and other pressing social or environmental challenges. The programme combines structured business training, executive mentorship and investment-readiness support to help enterprises strengthen strategy, financial sustainability and impact measurement. It is particularly suitable for ventures with an established model, evidence of impact and a leadership team ready to grow. Applicants who submit by the early deadline receive an earlier decision, while the regular application window remains open through October.
Click here to apply | Deadline: September 11 (Early); October 16(Regular)
22. Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme 2026
The SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme supports registered Nigerian micro and small businesses through expert-led masterclasses, business mentorship, advisory services and asset grants. Eligible businesses must have operated for at least one year, hold a Corporate Affairs Commission registration, maintain a business bank account and Tax Identification Number, and demonstrate a verifiable business location. Applicants should also have a five-year business plan and relevant regulatory certifications where applicable. The programme is designed for entrepreneurs seeking practical support to improve resilience, productivity and long-term sustainability.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Jul. 24
23. British Council Going Global Partnerships TVET Grant 2026 (up to £30,000)
The British Council Going Global Partnerships TVET Grant supports collaborative projects that strengthen technical and vocational education and training. Eligible partnerships can use funding of up to £30,000 to improve institutional capacity, develop relevant skills programmes, strengthen employer engagement and expand international collaboration. The opportunity is particularly relevant to education-focused NGOs, training institutions, colleges and organisations working on employability and workforce development. Strong proposals should demonstrate a genuine partnership, respond to an identified skills challenge and present clear, achievable outcomes for learners and institutions.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Sept. 10
24. GDPC Spotlight Research Grants Program 2026 (up to $10,000)
The GDPC Spotlight Research Grants Program provides up to $10,000 for research that can strengthen humanitarian practice, disaster preparedness and community resilience. The programme is relevant to researchers, civil society organisations and practitioners seeking to generate evidence that can improve policy, programme design or operational approaches. Applicants should propose a focused and feasible research project, explain its relevance to real-world humanitarian challenges and demonstrate how findings will be communicated and used. Projects with clear practical value and strong potential to inform locally grounded action are especially competitive.
Click here to apply | Deadline: Jul. 31
