The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA), a Sector Education and Training Authority for South Africa’s mining and minerals sector, invites eligible organisations to apply for Discretionary Grant funding under its Special Projects and Partnerships programme for the 2026/27 financial year.

Call reference: HORIZON-MISS-2027-05-SOIL-05-two-stage

Horizon Europe has announced a forthcoming funding opportunity under the Soil Deal for Europe Mission to develop and validate innovative biotechnologies that restore soil health, remediate contaminated soils and improve agricultural productivity and resilience.

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has launched the Global Fund 2026 call to finance civil society initiatives that complement the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC), hosted by The University of Manchester, provides funding to help translate industrial biotechnology research into practical applications, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, and advance innovation towards commercialisation.

The funding schemes support partnership development, proof-of-concept projects, student and staff exchanges, networking, and the commercial development of research outputs.

Funding and Support

Relationship Development Scheme — up to £10,000

RFQ Reference: SUC-KES-DD-2026-01

Start-Up Culture invites experienced technical experts, independent consultants, multidisciplinary teams and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence to submit proposals for a short-term due diligence assignment for Kulu Eco Services (KES), a cleantech enterprise based in Cape Town.

The assignment will assess the enterprise's commercial viability, technology, techno-economics, legal position and intellectual property to inform and support its proposed Industry Matching Fund application.

The Absa Youth Entrepreneurship Fund (AYEF), funded by Absa through its CSI Trust and implemented by Tshiamo Foundation, provides grant funding and business development support to young entrepreneurs in South Africa.

The programme supports black-owned, early-stage businesses, from entrepreneurs developing viable business ideas to businesses with early market traction and established young enterprises preparing for further growth.

Reference: SP2026/27-04

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) invites eligible non-profit organisations to submit proposals for strategic projects that respond to sector and community needs and deliver measurable social and economic impact.

Forward Fooding invites applications from AgriFoodTech start-ups and scale-ups worldwide for the eighth edition of the FoodTech 500, an annual global ranking recognising innovative companies operating at the intersection of food, technology and sustainability.

The initiative showcases businesses developing technology-enabled solutions across the food supply chain, from agricultural production and food processing to packaging, distribution, nutrition and food waste management.

The National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) invite joint research proposals under the Italy–South Africa Joint Research Programme (ISARP) for the 2027–2029 period.