Tag Archives: grants

AFRICA’S BUSINESS HEROES PRIZE COMPETITION (1.5 MILLION USD IN GRANT FUNDING)

Application Deadline: April 28, 2026.

LOCATION: Rwanda

The Prize Competition is an annual initiative aimed at supporting and empowering entrepreneurs across Africa. Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are driving impact in their communities, tackling pressing challenges, and building a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

ELIGIBILITY:

As an inclusive initiative, ABH welcomes applications from entrepreneurs:

Across all African countries, sectors, and age groups

With businesses that are formally registered, headquartered in Africa, and have a track record of at least three years.

In English and French

To be eligible for the ABH competition, you must meet the following criteria:

Founder or Co-founder—You must be the founder or co-founder of the business.

African Identity—You must be an African citizen or a direct descendant (child or grandchild) of an African citizen.

Business Presence in Africa—Your company must be registered, headquartered, and primarily operating in an African country.

Proven Market Traction—Your business must have at least three years of revenue and demonstrated market traction.

It is free to apply! You can create a free profile and begin your application here.

You can apply as many times as you like, but your business must show continuous growth and improvement each time you reapply. Just make sure that you are eligible based on the criteria each year. 

The Requirements of the Application:

Complete and submit ALL mandatory questions in the online ABH application.

Record and upload a video introduction of yourself that is a maximum of 1 minute 30 seconds.

Nominate a reference who can provide details on your character, leadership, and achievements.

BENEFIT:

Learn about yourself & business

Receive invaluable feedback

Develop skills to tell your story

Join an entrepreneurship ecosystem

Access exclusive mentorship and training

Gain global recognition & exposure

Pitch to business legends and win your share of USD $1.5 million:

1st Prize Winner$300,000
2nd Prize Winner$250,000
3rd Prize Winner$150,000
Other Top 10 Finalists (7)$100,000
Training Opportunities$100,000
APPLY

IHS GRADUATE SABBATICAL GRANTS (UP TO $20,000) AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, USA

LOCATION: USA

Graduate Sabbatical Grants provide up to $20,000 to PhD candidates (ABD) and postdoctoral fellows to buy out teaching or research responsibilities for a semester so that they can complete vital work toward the completion of their degrees, publications, or other milestones in their early academic careers. These highly competitive grants can be renewed for grantees who show exceptional progress. Summer fellowships for graduate students are available

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must be enrolled as full-time PhD students who have advanced to candidacy, or currently hold a postdoctoral fellowship

Previous applicants and winners are welcome to apply

Prior participation in IHS programs is not required

The fellowship is open to students at any university, and international students are eligible; however, priority is given to applicants at top research institutions

Awardees are expected to complete a significant milestone in their early academic career—examples include finishing large portions of a dissertation, completing and submitting material for publication, or producing work and presenting at a major conference.

Awardees will be asked to provide updates on significant milestones during the course of the sabbatical and to inform IHS about other relevant research progress.

These grants are highly competitive, and applicants who do not receive a sabbatical offer may still be invited to receive a Humane Studies Fellowship.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of their award decision within eight weeks of submission.

BENEFIT:

Graduate Sabbatical Grants provide up to $20,000 to PhD candidates (ABD) and postdoctoral fellows

APPLY