​Other service activities

The Industry-Academia Research & Development Programme (IARDP) is a flagship initiative of the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) designed to support collaborative, industry-driven research and innovation partnerships between India and France.

The programme aims to accelerate the development of new products, technologies and processes through collaboration between industry and academic institutions, with projects expected to achieve proof-of-concept demonstration and prototype development up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4–5.

The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe funding opportunity aimed at accelerating bio-based innovation through advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts. The call seeks to support research and innovation activities that strengthen Europe's bioeconomy while contributing to environmental sustainability, industrial competitiveness, circularity, biodiversity protection, and climate action.

The EUNIC Spaces of Culture Fund 2026 is now open for applications, supporting innovative cultural relations projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme forms part of the wider Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by EUNIC (EU National Institutes for Culture).

The fund aims to strengthen equitable partnerships between African and European cultural actors through collaborative projects that promote intercultural dialogue, mutual learning, co-creation, and shared capacity building.

The European Commission has announced a forthcoming Horizon Europe Cluster 1: Health funding opportunity aimed at accelerating the development of innovative antimicrobial therapies to combat antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial and fungal pathogens.

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.