Call for proposals – 2.0 June 2026
Calls for proposal
1.
| Name of Call | Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy. |
| Funding agency | The EU |
| Amount | €170,760,699 |
| Deadline | 22 September 2026 |
| Grant summary | Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the EU Life Sciences Strategy as well as the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the upcoming EU Biotechnology Act and EU Circular Economy Act. |
| Link | https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag- |
2.
| Name of the call | European Research Council (ERC) Opens Applications for Advanced Grants 2026 |
| Funding agency | The European Research Council (ERC) |
| Amount | €2.5 million |
| Deadline | August 27, 2026 |
| Grant summary | The European Research Council (ERC) has officially launched the 2026 Advanced Grant call, offering established researchers and leading academics an opportunity to secure substantial funding for ambitious, groundbreaking research projects across all disciplines. |
| Link | https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/2026/06/08/erc-2/ |
3.
| Name of the call | EU support to Stakeholders to improve measurement of food waste and help implement food waste prevention in their operations and organisation – 2026-2027 (SMP-FOOD-2026-FW-STAKEHOLDERS-PJ) |
| Funding agency | The EU |
| Amount | EUR 4 000 000 |
| Deadline | 15 October 2026 |
| Grant summary | This call for proposals implements one of the objectives in the food area within the Single Market Programme, aiming to support sustainable food production and consumption by preventing and reducing food waste, including through information sharing and awareness raising activities. |
| Link | https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/SMP-FOOD-2026 |
4.
| Name of the call | Enhancing integrated research and healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa through digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence |
| Funding agency | The EU |
| Amount | €15,000,000.00 |
| Deadline | 02 September 2026 |
| Grant summary | Global Health EDCTP3 invites applications for its funding opportunity on Training and Innovation Networks for Sustained Capacity Development in Ethics, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, and Digital Regulatory Platforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. The call seeks to strengthen ethics oversight, regulatory systems, pharmacovigilance capacity, and digital health infrastructure through training, innovation, twinning, and collaborative networks that support resilient and future-ready health research ecosystems. Eligible consortia are encouraged to submit proposals that advance regulatory harmonization, digital transformation, and workforce capacity development to accelerate access to safe and effective health products across Africa. |
| Link | https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2026-03-DIGIT-02 |
5.
| Name of the call | Joint Call between the Soil Deal for Europe Mission and the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2026-06) |
| Funding agency | The EU |
| Amount | €20,000,000 |
| Deadline | 23 September 2026 |
| Grant summary | Activities under this topic will support the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, including the implementation of the EU Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive, the EU Adaptation Strategy, the EU Water Resilience Strategy, and the forthcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan. |
| Link | https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON- |
6.
| Name of call | CFAs: Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant |
| Funding agency | Moses Mapesa Education |
| Amount | USD 5,000 |
| Deadline | 31-Jul-2026 |
| Grant summary | Applications are open for the Moses Mapesa Education and Research Grant, which supports Master’s and Doctoral students in Africa conducting research on cultural and natural heritage linked to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Tentative List sites. The grant focuses on strengthening academic research that contributes to heritage conservation, management, and policy development. Funding is primarily intended for fieldwork and dissertation-related activities. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/individuals/cfas-moses-mapesa-education-and-research-grant/ |
7.
| Name of call | HAIDI Innovation Track for Artificial Intelligence and Disability Inclusion |
| Funding agency | The Assistive Technologies |
| Amount | KES 5,000,000 (or USD equivalent) |
| Deadline | 17-Jul-2026 |
| Grant summary | The Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust programme is an 18-month catalytic support initiative that funds and scales responsible AI solutions for disability inclusion across Africa. It provides up to KES 5,000,000 in milestone-based funding along with technical, product, policy, and market scaling support. The programme focuses on post-MVP AI innovations that improve access in education, employment, mental health, mobility, communication, and care systems for persons with disabilities. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/haidi-innovation-track-for-artificial-intelligence-and-disability-inclusion/ |
8.
| Name of call | UNHCR Innovation Accelerator for Scaling Humanitarian Innovation |
| Funding agency | The UNHCR |
| Amount | USD 250,000 |
| Deadline | 12-Jul-2026 |
| Grant summary | The UNHCR Innovation Accelerator supports proven humanitarian innovations that are ready to move from pilot stage to large-scale implementation. It focuses on improving protection, inclusion, and assistance for refugees, stateless persons, and forcibly displaced populations worldwide. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/unhcr-innovation-accelerator-for-scaling-humanitarian-innovation/ |
9.
| Name of the call | CFAs: John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award |
| Funding agency | The John Dirks Canada Gairdner |
| Amount | $100,000 |
| Deadline | 01-Oct-2026 |
| Grant summary | The John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award recognizes scientifically based research that has improved the health and well-being of people facing health inequities worldwide. The award is given annually to one exceptional research-focused scientific investigator or shared among nominees with equal contributions. Winners receive a $100,000 prize, an individual award citation, a medal, and participation in Gairdner Week events and the annual Awards Gala. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/research-2/cfas-john-dirks-canada-gairdner-global-health-award/ |
10.
| Name of the call | Applications open for Thiel Fellowship for Young Innovators and Entrepreneurs |
| Funding agency | The Thiel Fellowship |
| Amount | USD 250,000 |
| Deadline | 31-Dec-2026 |
| Grant summary | The Thiel Fellowship is a prestigious two-year program that provides USD 250,000 to young innovators aged 22 or younger who want to pursue ambitious projects, startups, scientific research, or other ventures instead of following a traditional university path. Fellows receive funding, mentorship, and access to a global network of founders, investors, scientists, and industry leaders without giving up equity in their projects. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/applications-open-for-thiel-fellowship-for-young-innovators-and-entrepreneurs/ |
11.
| Name of the call | Press Release: AWARD Opens Call for Applications for African Women Breeders. |
| Funding agency | The immersive non-residential |
| Amount | Unspecified |
| Deadline | July 24, 2026 |
| Grant summary | The immersive non-residential Fellowship seeks to accelerate the leadership, visibility, and career advancement of women breeders by strengthening their capacity to lead gender-responsive breeding research, influence scientific and policy agendas, and become recognized leaders driving inclusive agricultural innovation and food systems transformation across Africa. |
| Link | https://awardfellowships.org/news/press-release-award-opens-call-for-applications-for-african-women-breeders/ |
12.
| Name of the call | Call for Applications for the Inaugural Cohort of the GROW Fellowship. |
| Funding agency | The immersive non-residential |
| Amount | N/A |
| Deadline | July 24, 2026 |
| Grant summary | The Call for Applications for the GROW Fellowship: Gender Responsive Research for Optimized Women-led Breeding Systems is now open. Targeting women breeders in Africa, the GROW Fellowship seeks to contribute to more gender-responsive crop improvement systems by strengthening the leadership pipeline of women professionals working in plant breeding and related fields. |
| Link | https://awardfellowships.org/news/call-for-applications-for-the-inaugural-cohort-of-the-grow-fellowship/ |
13.
| Name of the call | Apply Now: IMU-Simons Research Fellowship Program for Developing Countries. |
| Funding agency | The IMU–Simons |
| Amount | USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 |
| Deadline | 15-Jul-2026 |
| Grant summary | The IMU–Simons Research Fellowship is an international research mobility program administered by the International Mathematical Union (IMU). It is designed to support mathematicians based in developing countries by enabling them to conduct research visits at host institutions abroad. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/research-2/apply-now-imu-simons-research-fellowship-program-for-developing-countries/ |
14.
| Name of the call | 3rd Call for ReCIPE Big Research Grant Program |
| Funding agency | The ReCIPE |
| Amount | £100,000 |
| Deadline | 11-Aug-2026 |
| Grant summary | The ReCIPE Big Research Grant Program provides third-call Big Research Grants of up to £100,000 for research on the relationship between conflict, economic growth and public policy. The program supports large-scale, policy-relevant research projects that examine peace, institutions, investments, climate change, natural resources, information systems, inequality and conflict. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/individuals/3rd-call-for-recipe-big-research-grant-program/ |
15.
| Name of the call | Funding for Wildlife Research and Conservation Projects |
| Funding agency | The Wildlife Acoustics |
| Amount | $12,000 USD per quarter |
| Deadline | 15-Aug-2026 |
| Grant summary | The Wildlife Acoustics Grant Program is an international funding initiative designed to support wildlife monitoring, ecological research, and conservation science through access to specialized acoustic recording technology and software. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/environment-2/funding-for-wildlife-research-and-conservation-projects/ |
16
| Name of the call | RFPs: Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration Grant Program |
| Funding agency | The Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration |
| Amount | CHF 5,000 to CHF 20,000 per project |
| Deadline | 31-Aug-2026 |
| Grant summary | The Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration Grant Program supports joint innovation projects between researchers and science-based entrepreneurs from Switzerland and sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to bridge scientific research and market-driven entrepreneurship to accelerate the development and real-world impact of science-based innovations. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/rfps-researcher-sciencepreneur-collaboration-grant-program/ |
17.
| Name of the call | Apply for General Research Grants: Projects |
| Funding agency | The General Research |
| Amount | EUR 3,720 |
| Deadline | 20-Nov-2026 |
| Grant summary | The General Research Grants Program provides financial support for individual researchers, doctoral candidates, and research projects through scholarships and targeted funding schemes. The programme supports research scholarships, research projects, PhD scholarships, travel costs, material expenses, publishing support, and eligible Open Access publication costs. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/individuals/apply-for-general-research-grants-projects/ |
18.
| Name of the call | Open Call: Building Pipelines for Publishing DNA-derived Data through GBIF. |
| Funding agency | The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) |
| Amount | €20,000 per project |
| Deadline | 03-Aug-2026 |
| Grant summary | The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is funding projects that improve how DNA-derived biodiversity data is published, standardized, and updated across its global data network. The initiative focuses on building scalable, automated workflows that allow large datasets—especially environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding data—to be integrated into GBIF’s infrastructure. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/construction/open-call-building-pipelines-for-publishing-dna-derived-data-through-gbif/ |
19.
| Name of the call | Mental Health Award: Using physical activity and circadian-based interventions to reduce anxiety and depression in young people. |
| Funding agency | Wellcome |
| Amount | £1-4 million |
| Deadline | 14 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | This award will fund mechanistically informed trials of interventions for anxiety and depression in young people aged 10-18 years. Successful teams will build on existing mechanistic evidence to develop more precise and effective early interventions that have the potential to scale. |
| Link | https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/mental-health-award-using-physical-activity-and-circadian-based-0 |
20.
| Name of call | Wellcome Early-Career Awards |
| Funding agency | Wellcome |
| Amount | £400,000 |
| Deadline | 21 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme. |
| Link | https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-early-career-awards |
21.
| Name of call | Wellcome Career Development Awards |
| Funding agency | Wellcome |
| Amount | £250,000 |
| Deadline | 28 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | This scheme provides funding for mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work and deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. |
| Link | https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-career-development-awards |
22.
| Name of call | Wellcome Discovery Awards |
| Funding agency | Wellcome |
| Amount | £3.5 million. |
| Deadline | 22 September 2026 |
| Grant summary | This scheme provides funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. |
| Link | https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/wellcome-discovery-awards |
23.
| Name of call | Women in AI Fellowship |
| Funding agency | The Women in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) |
| Amount | USD 5,000 |
| Deadline | July 31st, 2026 |
| Grant summary | Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming every sector — from health, climate, and economics to governance, education, and public policy. Yet women remain significantly underrepresented in these influential domains. This fellowship provides financial resources, mentorship, and technical training to empower women PhD candidates to excel in AI/ML research and shape the future of ethical and inclusive innovation. |
| Link | https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/2026/06/23/women-53/ |
24.
| Name of call | Malaria drug discovery: 9th African call for proposal |
| Funding agency | Medicine for malaria ventures (MMV) |
| Amount | Unspecified |
| Deadline | 29 August 2026 |
| Grant summary | To be eligible for consideration for funding as part of this call, MMV welcomes proposals from African scientists focused in the following priority areas: Medicinal chemistry: compounds with confirmed antimalarial activity Novel molecules with confirmed activity against the asexual blood stage of the malaria lifecycle; additional activity against other lifecycle stages, such as liver forms and/or gametocytes, would be an advantage. Compounds must demonstrate EC50 < 10 µM and be supported by a credible medicinal chemistry optimization plan addressing known or anticipated liabilities. In line with MMV strategic priorities, particular emphasis will be placed on compounds suitable for chemoprevention, with low clearance in relevant early discovery in vitro and in vivo assays. |
| Link | https://www.malariaworld.org/news/malaria-drug-discovery-9th-african-call-for-proposals-now-open |
25.
| Name of call | MMV Launches 9th African Call for Proposals to Advance Malaria Drug Discovery Research. |
| Funding agency | Medicine for malaria ventures (MMV) |
| Amount | Unspecified |
| Deadline | 29 August 2026 |
| Grant summary | The global fight against malaria has received a significant boost with the launch of the 9th African Call for Proposals for Malaria Drug Discovery by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). The initiative aims to support African scientists and research institutions working on innovative approaches to discovering and developing next-generation antimalarial medicines. |
| Link | https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/2026/06/24/malaria-4/ |
26.
| Name of call | Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration Grant (RSCG) 2026 |
| Funding agency | The RSCG |
| Amount | CHF 5,000–20,000 per project |
| Deadline | 31 August 2026 |
| Grant summary | The Researcher–Sciencepreneur Collaboration Grant (RSCG) 2026 is an opportunity for researchers and science-based entrepreneurs (sciencepreneurs) across Switzerland and sub-Saharan Africa to develop an innovation collaboration that helps build a credible path to impact for the venture involved. |
| Link | https://research.swiss/researcher-sciencepreneur-collaborationgrant-rscg-2026/ |
27.
| Name of call | ICGEB-AICAD Short-Term Postdoctoral Fellowships – September 2026 |
| Funding agency | The African Institute for Capacity Development and the ICGEB |
| Amount | (Italy): Euro 2,300, New Delhi (India): USD 1,749, Cape Town (South Africa): ZAR 27,500. |
| Deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Grant summary | The African Institute for Capacity Development and the ICGEB offer Postdoctoral scientists from Africa a training period of 6 months at ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India or South Africa, to perform research work on biotechnology and related fields, including Health (Infectious Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases), Sustainable Agriculture, Industrial Biotechnology and Renewable Energy. |
| Link | https://www.aicad.or.ke/icgeb-aicad-short-term-postdoctoral-fellowships-september-2026/ |
28.
| Name of call | CARN/Bochco Pangolin Conservation Grant Program |
| Funding agency | The Bochco Pangolin |
| Amount | USD 10,000 |
| Deadline | 01-Aug-2026 |
| Grant summary | The Bochco Pangolin Conservation Grant Program supports graduate students and early-career African scientists conducting innovative research to conserve threatened African pangolin species. Grants of up to USD 10,000 are available for eligible field-based conservation research projects across Africa. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/carn-bochco-pangolin-conservation-grant-program/ |
29.
| Name of call | Applications open for WSA Global Award |
| Funding agency | The World Summit Awards (WSA) |
| Amount | Unspecified |
| Deadline | 15-Oct-2026 |
| Grant summary | The World Summit Awards (WSA) Global Award is a nomination-based international recognition program that highlights digital solutions delivering measurable social impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It focuses on innovative, market-ready digital products and services that demonstrate real-world societal value. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/innovation/applications-open-for-wsa-global-award/ |
30.
| Name of call | Apply Now: Major Documentation Project Grants |
| Funding agency | Major Documentation Project |
| Amount | €10,000 – Maximum €300,000 |
| Deadline | 01-Oct-2026 |
| Grant Summary | Major Documentation Project Grants support researchers worldwide to carry out structured, field-based documentation of endangered languages. The grants fund high-quality audio-visual recordings, transcriptions, translations, annotations, metadata creation, and long-term archiving through the Endangered Languages Archive. |
| Link | https://www2.fundsforngos.org/individuals/apply-now-major-documentation-project-grants |
Additional KENET Calls with a deadline of 10th July 2026
1.
| Name of the call | Call For Proposals: Research Grants In Computer Science And Information Systems 2026/2027 |
| Funding agency | KENET |
| Amount | Ksh. 2, 000,000 |
| Deadline | 10 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | This call for proposals seeks to support early-career researchers in advancing emerging areas of Artificial Intelligence through work that combines technical depth with demonstrable, real-world implementation. The grant is designed to catalyze the development of innovative ideas into functional pilots or prototypes that can be tested, refined, and shared as practical reference models. The call, therefore, aims to strengthen institutional capacity in priority AI domains while generating insights, tools, and systems that can be adopted, adapted, and built upon by students, researchers, and other institutions. |
| Link | https://www.kenet.or.ke/content/call-proposals-research-grants-computer-science-and-information-systems-20262027 |
2.
| Name of the call | Educational Technology Innovation Grants 2026/2027 |
| Funding agency | KENET |
| Amount | Ksh. 2, 000,000 |
| Deadline | 10 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | The call funds projects that will involve teaching a specified foundational course (see a list of eligible courses at the end of this CfP in Engineering, Computer Science and Information Systems or Computational Modelling and Materials Science over a semester in the 2026/2027 academic year;, will involve significant integration of AI into the teaching and learning process will provide measurable impact of AI integration; and will produce learning materials that can be adopted and adapted by other faculty and/or learning institutions. |
| Link | https://www.kenet.or.ke/content/call-proposals-educational-technology-innovation-grants-20262027 |
3
| Name of the call | Call for Proposals: Research Grants in Computational Modeling and Materials Science 2026/2027 |
| Funding agency | KENET |
| Amount | Ksh. 2, 000,000 |
| Deadline | 10 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | Research work is expected to involve university faculty and graduate students in Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Sciences but strongly welcomes those from other basic and applied sciences. To increase research output directly or by complementing the existing limited work from groups with standard experimental infrastructure, CMMS has embraced computational modeling, which is now considered as an important decision support tool. In this regard, CMMS targets training of graduate students as well as young and upcoming faculty in universities, research institutions and industry. |
| Link | https://www.kenet.or.ke/content/call-proposals-research-grants-computational-modeling-and-materials-science-20262027 |
4.
| Name of the call | Research Grants in Engineering 2026/2027 |
| Funding agency | KENET |
| Amount | Ksh. 2, 000,000 |
| Deadline | 10 July 2026 |
| Grant summary | This call seeks to fund engineering research in Kenyan universities or research institutions that leverage advances in AI and exploit both the computational and LoRaWAN infrastructure installed by KENET. In addition, this call seeks to support early-career PhD faculty and/or researchers in advancing emerging areas of Artificial Intelligence through work that combines technical depth with demonstrable, real-world implementation. The grant is designed to catalyze the development of innovative ideas into functional pilots or prototypes that can be tested, refined, and shared as practical reference models. |
| Link | https://www.kenet.or.ke/content/call-proposals-research-grants-engineering-20262027 |