Call for Applications: LEAP Africa Leadership Accelerator Programme 2026 for African Women (Free Online Course+ Three-Month Intensive Mentorship)

Applications are now open for the fifth edition of the LEAP Africa Leadership Accelerator Programme 2026, a capacity-building initiative created to address gender disparities in leadership across the African continent. The programme is specifically designed for high-potential young African women in corporate and entrepreneurial settings who are ready to advance into leadership roles.

The Leadership Accelerator Programme is a transformative leadership development experience for African women aged 23 to 35. It combines virtual learning, in-person engagement, and structured mentorship to equip participants with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to thrive as leaders within their organisations and industries.

About the Programme

The LEAP Africa Leadership Accelerator Programme is structured to support women at critical stages of their professional journey. By focusing on leadership capability, workplace challenges, and personal growth, the programme prepares participants to navigate complex professional environments and take on greater responsibility and influence.

Why This Matters

Despite growing participation of women in the workforce, leadership representation across Africa remains disproportionately low. The LEAP Africa Leadership Accelerator Programme addresses this gap by providing women with targeted leadership training, exposure, and mentorship, strengthening the pipeline of women leaders across sectors.

Programme Phases

Free Online Course

The programme begins with a free online course made up of 10 short-paced modules completed over a three-week period. The course addresses key issues affecting women in the workplace and factors that limit professional advancement. The modules were developed based on needs assessments conducted with over 200 respondents, ensuring the content reflects real challenges faced by African women in professional settings.

Three-Month Intensive Mentorship

Each participant will be paired with an accomplished mentor for a three-month mentorship period. Mentor matching is based on the individual needs identified by participants during onboarding. Mentorship sessions will take place once or twice monthly, focusing on career development, leadership growth, and personal advancement. Monthly check-ins will ensure mentorship goals and outcomes are achieved.

Who Should Apply

The programme is open to high-potential African women aged 23 to 35 who are currently working in corporate or entrepreneurial environments and are motivated to grow into leadership roles.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can find full application details and submit their applications through the official LEAP Africa Leadership Accelerator Programme webpage.

APPLY HERE

Application are now open For Green Acceleration Programme (GAP) | South Africa

The Green Acceleration Programme (GAP) is designed to support female founders and women-led businesses operating within the green economy to access capital by ensuring investor readiness and compliance. Powered by WomHub and supported by GIZ, the programme will select 30 entrepreneurs to participate in a finance readiness journey aimed at unlocking new forms of capital.The GAP Programme is part of WomHub’s continued commitment to supporting female founders in becoming finance ready and can access the right type of capital accelerating inclusive growth in the green economy. 

Eligible businesses must be:

Applicants must have a registered company that has been in operation for a minimum of 6 months.

Female-founded, co-led, or managed

Working within the energy or broader green economy sector. 

Individual applicants must be South African citizens.

Applicants must be able to commit to the full duration of the programme commencing in July 2025.

Willingness to actively participate in the Programme.

APPLICATION FORM

WomHub Website

The Max Thabiso Edkins Climate Ambassador Program 2026 for young changemakers.

Application Deadline: February 24, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Max Thabiso Edkins Climate Ambassador Program. The Max Thabiso Edkins Youth Ambassador Program is looking for its next cohort of global young changemakers to learn about and act on this challenge. Delivered by the World Bank’s Youth2Youth (Y2Y) community in partnership with Connect4Climate (C4C), the program carries forward the legacy of C4C champion Max Thabiso Edkins, who believed that youth inclusion is integral to shaping a resilient future. The fifth edition of this program presents an opportunity for global youth to deepen their knowledge of the world’s most urgent development challenges and work together to innovate responsive solutions.

Young changemakers selected as 2026 Max Thabiso Edkins Youth Ambassadors will have the chance to: Learn from World Bank Group experts and partners on priority sectors including energy, water, agribusiness, gender equality, health, tourism and digital innovation, with job creation at the center; Act to respond to pressing challenges in connection with the World Bank Group’s Health Works, Mission300, Empowering Women, and AgriConnect campaigns; Network with peers and professionals from relevant sectors and regions; and Engage by taking part in a global alumni community and accessing impactful collaboration opportunities throughout the program and beyond graduation.

Requirements

To apply, you must be:

20-30 years old

Studying, entering the job market, or forging a career in a relevant sector

Interested in advancing sustainable growth for a livable planet in one or more of the following sectors: energy, water, agribusiness, gender equality, health, tourism, and digital innovation 

Curious, motivated, and eager to learn and grow.

Passionate about sustainability, green jobs, and the future of your community

Committed to collaboration, collective action, and the exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives with peers from across the globe

APPLY HERE

ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 for South African women Researchers.

Application Deadline: 15 April 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 ICGEB South African Women in Biotechnology Programme SAWBP – Postdoctoral Fellowship. The ICGEB-SAWBP Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, in partnership with the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation will support South African women researchers holding a PhD degree, in Biotechnology or a related discipline, having outstanding ability, and who will perform hypothesis-driven research.

The SAWBP programme promotes the interaction and mobility of South African women Biotechnology researchers and the ICGEB community, including mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India. Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Plant Systems Biology, Biopesticides and Virology.

The Fellowships comprise a very attractive package:

Immersion in a top class international scientific environment

Two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at ICGEB Cape Town

Applying the latest techniques and methodologies to the applicant’s chosen research topic

Opportunities for mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and complementary skills

Eligibility

Female applicants only.

Only South African citizens and South African Permanent Residents with a valid South African ID number may apply.

Preference will be given to Black and disabled applicants.

Financial support

Duration: 2 years

Fellowship package:

Non-taxable stipend: ZAR 320 000 per annum

Research costs: ZAR 50 000 per annum

Additional mobility support to visit other ICGEB Components in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India, will be provided.

Application process

Applicants interested in the ICGEB-SAWBP programme should apply under the NRF Postdoctoral Grants (indicating ‘ICGEB’ as the institution of choice).

In addition, further criteria and eligibility requirements are noted in the NRF Postdoctoral Fellowships Framework ( accessible on the NRF website)

How to Apply

A letter of endorsement from the ICGEB Cape Town Group Leader must be submitted with the application. Please note that the written statement from the ICGEB Group Leader you have contacted and who is willing to support your project is mandatory to apply.

The Principal Investigator/Group Leader at the chosen ICGEB Cape Town laboratory should be contacted in advance to discuss the proposed research project. ICGEB Cape Town group lists.

Proposed research projects must be innovative and fall within one of the ICGEB Cape Town Component macro areas of research, namely: Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Bioinformatics, Biopesticides, Plant Systems Biology, and Virology.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: Katapult Africa Accelerator Program 2026 ($150,000–$500,000 Investment for Impact Startups)

African startups building solutions for food systems, agriculture, and climate resilience now have a major opportunity to scale their impact. Katapult Africa has opened applications for its 2026 Accelerator Program, offering 90 days of intensive support combined with $150,000 to $500,000 in investment for high-potential impact-driven startups.

As global population growth increases pressure on food systems and the environment, Katapult Africa is backing founders who are using technology to rethink agriculture, food security, and climate-smart solutions across the continent.

About the Katapult Africa Accelerator

The Katapult Africa Accelerator is a 90-day intensive program designed to help African startups strengthen growth strategy, improve investor readiness, and scale measurable impact.

The program combines:

Hands-on workshops

Expert-led learning sessions

Access to Katapult’s global investor and partner network

Tailored impact and business support

Selected startups also receive direct investment ranging from $150,000 to $500,000, enabling them to move faster from innovation to real-world impact.

Who Should Apply

This accelerator is open to innovative African startups working sectors such as:

AgriTech and food systems

Climate-smart agriculture

Sustainable food production

Climate resilience and adaptation

Environmental and impact-driven technologies

Startups should demonstrate:

Strong founding teams

Scalable business models

Clear impact on food systems or climate challenges

Readiness to grow and engage investors

Both early-growth and scaling startups are encouraged to apply.

Key Benefits

Participants in the Katapult Africa Accelerator will receive:

🚀 Investment Funding

Selected startups receive $150,000–$500,000 in investment to support growth and scale.

📊 Growth & Investor Readiness Support

Structured sessions focused on business growth, fundraising strategy, governance, and impact measurement.

🌍 Global Network Access

Direct connections to Katapult’s ecosystem of investors, corporates, impact partners, and mentors.

🧠 Expert Mentorship & Learning

Intensive workshops and one-on-one guidance from experienced operators and impact investors.

Program Duration

90 days of intensive acceleration, workshops, and learning sessions.

How to Apply

Interested startups can apply online via the official application form:

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: Bridge Seed Global Impact Accelerator 2026 (Equity-Free £5,000 Funding for African Startups)

Bridge Seed Global (BSG) has opened applications for its Impact Fund–Driven Accelerator Program, a three-month accelerator designed to support young African startup founders aged 18–35 with equity-free funding, mentorship, training, and global market access.

This accelerator targets one of Africa’s most urgent challenges — youth unemployment and limited access to early-stage capital — by helping founders build commercially viable, high-impact businesses that drive inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.

About the Bridge Seed Global Impact Accelerator

The Bridge Seed Global Impact Accelerator is a hands-on, impact-focused program supporting early-stage African startups through structured business development, expert guidance, and investor readiness support. Selected founders receive funding without giving up equity, alongside tailored mentorship and strategic partnerships to help them scale sustainably.

What Selected Startups Will Receive

Participants accepted into the accelerator will benefit from:

£5,000 equity-free pre-seed grant (no ownership stake required)

World-class mentorship and founder-focused training

Direct access to investors and global networks

Comprehensive business support, including strategy, growth, and sustainability guidance

Global exposure and partnership opportunities

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Applicants must:

Be African startup founders aged 18–35

Be building an early-stage, impact-driven business

Demonstrate potential for commercial viability and scalability

Show commitment to solving real social or economic challenges in Africa.

APPLY HERE

FAO–Hungarian Government Scholarship 2026/2027 for Study in Hungary (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 28 February 2026.

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 FAO–Hungarian Government Scholarship. The following Master of Science degree courses are offered in English for the 2026–27 academic year:

Master in Agricultural Biotechnology – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Szent István Campus, Gödöllő.

Master in Animal Nutrition and Feed Safety Engineering – Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kaposvár Campus, Kaposvár.

Master in Plant Protection – University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Debrecen.

List of eligible countries and territories

Residents (who must be nationals) of the following countries are eligible to apply for the Scholarship Programme:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo1, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Myanmar, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Nigeria, North Korea, Palestine, the Philippines, Republic of Cabo Verde, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.

Conditions

Courses will be offered provided the minimum number of students is reached.

The scholarship will cover:

application and tuition fees throughout the study period with basic books and notes;

dormitory accommodation;

subsistence costs;

health insurance.

All of the above mentioned costs are financed by the Hungarian Government, according to the Agreement between FAO and Hungary in 2007.

The scholarship covers student costs only; family members are not supported within the frame of this programme.

Application and selection process

The selection process as described below applies to scholarships beginning in September 2026.

Student selection will take place in two phases:

Phase 1: FAO will pre-screen candidates and submit applications to the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary that will send them to the corresponding University as chosen by the applicants. Students must submit only COMPLETE dossiers. Incomplete dossiers will not be considered. Files without names will not be processed.

Phase 2: Selected candidates may be asked to take a written or oral English examination as part of the admission procedure. The participating University will run a further selection process and inform each of the successful candidates. Student selection will be made by the Universities only, without any involvement on the part of FAO. Selected students will also be notified by the Ministry.

Candidates will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

Citizenship and residency of one of the eligible countries 

Excellent school achievements

English language proficiency (for courses taught in English)

Motivation

Good health

Age (candidates under 30 are preferred)

Deadline:

Applications should be submitted via email from 21 January to 28 February 2026.

APPLY HERE

Read Documentation

APPLICATION FORM