Category Archives: business funding

SOUTH AFRICAN PROGRAM OF MARGARET MCNAMARA EDUCATIONAL GRANTS (MMEG) FOR AFRICAN WOMEN 2025

Application Deadline: September 14, 2025 (11:59pm Eastern Standard Time)

LOCATION: South Africa

The mission of the MMEG grant is to assist women from developing countries who are pursuing their education with the aim of improving the lives of women and children in developing countries. MMEG is one of the few organizations that provides financial assistance to such women.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

be a self-identifying woman, and at least 25 years old at time of application deadline;

be a national of a country listed on the MMEG country eligibility list (except for the Trinity Washington University Program);

be registered (not just accepted or enrolled) at an accredited in-person academic institution and program when submitting their application (exclusively online programs are ineligible); 

plan to be enrolled for at least one full academic semester (half-year term) after award of the MMEG grant;

plan to graduate no later than three years after the award of the MMEG grant;

not be related to a World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, or Inter-American Development Bank staff member, spouse, retiree, or MMEG Board member.

complete an application and (for finalists) be prepared to be interviewed in English for South Africa, US-Canada, and Trinity Washington University programs, in Spanish for the LAC Program, and in French for the France Program.

BENEFIT:

Up to US$7,000 in the South Africa

APPLY

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL AGRIINNO CHALLENGE

Application Deadline: 7 June, 2025

LOCATION: China

Join a global movement of youth innovators and agri-tech entrepreneurs driving change in food and farming. Submit your agrifood systems innovation online. The winners will have an opportunity to pitch their innovations at the Science and Innovation Forum in Rome in October 2025.

Theme: Harnessing emerging technologies and Digital Public Infrastructure for sustainable agrifood systems: Advancing climate resilience, supply chain efficiency, and nutritional security.

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to youth innovators (aged 18-35) and startup teams

Women-led teams and entrepreneurs from diverse background

Anyone with a tech-driven idea that can revolutionize food and farming

Innovation: Solutions should demonstrate strong alignment with the challenge theme, offer original use of emerging technologies, and be accessible and inclusive to smallholder farmers and marginalized groups.

Market Potential & Economic Value: Projects will be assessed on their potential for market entry, scalability, profitability, and ability to generate economic opportunities such as employment or investment.

Social, Environmental Impact & Sustainability: Ideas must show how they will improve livelihoods, promote sustainability, reduce food loss or pollution, and contribute to climate resilience and social inclusion.

Project Team: Teams will be evaluated on their operational capacity, relevant experience, technical skills, and commitment to diversity and gender equity.

BENEFIT:

Mentorship: 48-hour co-creation boot camp with global mentors and Expert coaching from UN agencies, investors, and private sector leaders

Seed Funding: Up to 30k dollars Seed funding for winning teams and a Chance to showcase your solution on a global stage

Recognition: Chance to showcase your solution on a global stage and All travel, visa, lodging, and meals covered for finalists attending in China.

Networking: Access to the Global AgriInno Challenge alumni network and Build relationships with agencies, venture capitalists, industry leaders, and fellow innovators

APPLY