Tag Archives: international competitions

AFREXIMBANK-EDORDU RESEARCH COMPETITION (USD 45,000)

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026.

LOCATION: Multiple Regions in Africa

The Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition invites postgraduate students across Africa and participating Caribbean states to produce rigorous, original research on the issues defining the continent’s economic trajectory: trade, finance, integration, and sustainable development.

The competition honors the intellectual legacy of Mr. Christopher Edordu, Pioneer President of Afreximbank, whose vision shaped the institution’s commitment to African economic sovereignty.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Afreximbank-Edordu Research Competition is open to postgraduate students (Master’s or PhD) who are currently enrolled at an accredited tertiary institution on the African continent or in an eligible CARICOM state and who hold nationality of an African country or an eligible CARICOM state.

Eligible CARICOM states are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

Postgraduate students (Master’s or PhD) currently enrolled in a tertiary institution in Africa or in a participating CARICOM state.

Submissions must be original, unpublished research papers that are not under consideration for publication elsewhere at the time of submission.

Papers must address one of the themes announced by the competition for the relevant cycle.

Submissions may be written in any African Union official language: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Kiswahili and will be translated into English for jury evaluation.

Papers must be between 3,000 and 5,000 words, excluding references, tables, and figures.

Papers must follow a recognised academic citation style (APA, Chicago, or Harvard) and be submitted as a PDF or Word document through the official competition portal.

BENEFIT:

First Prize: USD 20,000,

Second Prize: USD 15,000,

Third Prize: USD 10,000.

APPLY

D-PRIZE 2027 CHALLENGE FOR SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS ($USD 20,000)

Application Extension Deadline: 28 June 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time)

LOCATION: USA

D-Prize is a grant-funded nonprofit targeting extreme poverty. They seed social impact organizations that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Most founders in low- and middle-income countries don’t have access to startup capital, and we provide philanthropic seed support so their ventures, NGOs & charities can launch.

ELIGIBILITY:

New organizations only. Most awardees are first-time entrepreneurs who have not yet launched or raised outside funding.

They especially encourage applicants from low- and middle-income countries.

Organizations with more than 18 months of full-time operations or more than $30,000 USD raised are typically not supported.

Submit your two-page concept note and resume(s). We receive 3000+ submissions per competition.

Top 5% of entrepreneurs are invited to answer short written questions. You will have two weeks to draft and submit.

Existing organizations consider it only if your core focus is distributing an existing, evidence-based poverty intervention.

Select a challenge above and be prepared for the following deadlines: 

The Global Competition launches on 7 April 2026

Early Submission Deadline: 17 May 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time) 

Regular Submission Deadline: 7 June 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time) 

Extension Deadline: 28 June 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time)

BENEFIT:

Top entrepreneurs have phone and email interviews. The top 1% receive up to $20,000 to launch.

Spend the next few months piloting your idea and building an organization that soon grows to a large scale.

APPLY