Tag Archives: Innovation Hub

NASENI INNOVATION HUB- INNOVATENAIJA CHALLENGE CALL FOR APPLICATION

Application Deadline: October 4, 2025.

LOCATION: Nigeria

Are you a young Nigerian with a homegrown, game-changing product in science, engineering, or manufacturing? Apply now for the InnovateNaija Challenge, open to Nigerians aged 15–40 nationwide, and stand a chance to win 100 million Naira.

ELIGIBILITY:

Young Nigerian innovators within the ages of 15-40 who have designed products and solutions within the science, engineering and manufacturing sector. Individuals passionate about tech, creativity and providing solutions to real-world challenges, including from the grassroots. 

Young Nigerians engaged in science, technology, engineering across the Nation

Must be a citizen of Nigeria.

Must currently reside in Nigeria (temporary visitors or students abroad are not eligible).

Open to youths of ages 15-40 

Innovative products must be at any of these stages:Prototype or Fully Developed. Products still at Idea stages are NOT eligible for the application.  

Innovative products must be within the science engineering and manufacturing sector.

Innovation must be original and created by the applicant or team.

Innovation must solve a local problem or improve community life.

Applicants can submit ideas in English or the local language with translation (if possible).

Application is open to individuals or teams. For teams, one member must be designated as the primary contact.

Applicants must be emerging talents and grassroots inventors, not fully funded startups.

Low-tech or no-tech solutions are welcome! Tech-enabled is great but not required.

Innovation must be applicable or adaptable to the Nigerian context.

Each applicant/team can only submit one innovation.

Each applicant/team must have at least an instagram handle/account. 

BENEFIT:

₦100 million for first place,

₦30 million for second place, and

₦20 million for third place.

APPLY

NELSON MANDELA – GRAÇA MACHEL INNOVATION AWARDS

Application Deadline: 7 March, 2025

LOCATION: South Africa

The Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Awards 2024/25 will recognize five innovative ideas and projects from individuals, organizations, networks, or community groups with seed funding of US$7,500.

Under the core theme “Uplifting Humanity,” they are searching for innovations that challenge the status quo and bridge divides. Whether you’re pursuing Tech for Good, exploring the intersection of Climate and Social Justice, working on Bridging Citizens and Government, or demonstrating Community Resilience, we want to hear about it!

ELIGIBILITY:

Please consider applying if: 

Your innovation is a product, service or process that creates value and has the potential to make a difference for the better in your community 

Your innovation, whether a product, service, or process, protects or expands civic space by promoting and defending freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, or freedom of expression. 

Your innovation helps build community and/or promotes social justice 

You are over the age of 18 at the time of applying. 

Available and excited for 2 trips to promote Innovation! 

You can apply in English, Arabic, French or Spanish 

BENEFIT:

One winner from each category will be selected. Each winning initiative will receive: 

A US$7,500 award to further your amazing work! 

Two fully-funded trips to an Innovation Convening in late May 2025 and to International Civil Society Week 1 – 5 November 2025, in Bangkok. 

Join CIVICUS’ Innovation Community! 

APPLY