​Other service activities

Applications are now open for the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge, a regional entrepreneurship competition designed to identify, showcase, and support innovative green SMEs that are developing commercially viable solutions to sustainability and environmental challenges across Africa.

The initiative is implemented by GreenCape and Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF).

Programme: Horizon Europe (HORIZON) – Cluster 1: Health
Topic Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-07
Type of Action: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
Funding Type: Horizon Europe Grant Funding
Opening Date: 10 February 2027
Closing Date: 13 April 2027 (17:00 Brussels Time)

Applications are now open for the Africa Business Accelerator (ABA) 2026, the flagship growth programme of the Africa SME Assembly designed to help African founders build stronger, more scalable, and investment-ready businesses.

The Africa Business Accelerator was established to address one of the biggest challenges facing African entrepreneurs: the lack of access to the business infrastructure, networks, mentorship, capital readiness support, and market access needed to grow sustainable enterprises.

Applications are now open for the Third Edition of the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition 2026, a flagship continental initiative designed to advance Africa’s leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and emerging technologies.

Health Holland has launched the Science for Industry Call 2026, providing at least €5 million in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) funding to support collaborative research and development projects within the Dutch Life Sciences & Health (LSH) sector.

The programme is designed to accelerate the translation of scientific research into innovative products, services, and technologies that address healthcare challenges while strengthening the Netherlands' innovation ecosystem and economic competitiveness.

Applications are now open for the Digital Energy Challenge 2026, an international innovation programme supporting SMEs developing digital and AI-enabled solutions that improve energy access, accelerate the energy transition, and enhance the operational efficiency of energy utilities across Africa.

The initiative is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and partners and aims to help innovative companies scale proven digital technologies that address some of Africa's most pressing energy challenges.

Applications are now open for the Merck Research Grants 2026 programme, a global research funding initiative designed to support innovative scientific research with strong potential for future impact and industry collaboration.

Since 2018, Merck has awarded research grants to scientists and research teams working on breakthrough solutions across emerging scientific and technological fields. For the 2026 funding cycle, grants are available across five strategic research areas, with funding of up to €500,000 per year available depending on the topic.

The BIONetZero Open Call 2026 is now accepting applications from innovative SMEs and startups developing bio-based solutions that support the transition to a greener, more resilient, and climate-neutral economy.

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) has launched its 9th Call for Proposals for Country-led Projects, providing approximately US$163 million in grant financing to support agriculture, food security, and climate resilience initiatives in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The programme supports country-led investments that strengthen:

develoPPP Ventures is now accepting applications for its 2026 funding round supporting innovative startups with scalable and development-oriented business models across selected African markets.

The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented through: