D-Prize Challenge 2026/2027 for Social Entrepreneurs to fight Poverty ($USD 20,000)

What's it about?

D-Prize funds social entrepreneurs who want to fight extreme poverty by distributing proven solutions to people who currently lack access. It is focused on taking solutions that already work and getting them to underserved communities.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18+

Individuals, teams, nonprofits and for-profit ventures can apply

Especially encourages applicants from low- and middle-income countries

You don't need an existing registered NGO/company

Primarily for new organizations

Existing organizations generally shouldn't have more than 18 months of full-time operations or more than $30,000 raised externally. 

How it works

Choose a D-Prize challenge, such as Poverty Graduation, Agriculture, Education, Health, Water, etc.

Submit a 2-page concept note + résumé

Selected applicants move to Round 2

Finalists have interviews

Winners receive up to $20,000

Use the funding to run a 3-month pilot, demonstrate results and then scale.

Program benefits

Up to $20,000 seed funding

Capital to launch a new social-impact organization

Opportunity to test your idea through a funded pilot

Opportunity to build an organization designed for large-scale impact

Access to a global social-entrepreneurship platform

D-Prize reports that its supported organizations have collectively reached 11 million people with life-enhancing products and services.

2026 deadlines

Early: October 25, 2026

Regular: November 15, 2026

Extension: December 6, 2026

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Phase 8 for Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (Up to ₦100 Million Equipment Grant Fund)

Call for Applications: UNDP & Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Innovates 2026 ( Grants, Incubation & Market Access)

Applications are now open for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mastercard Foundation designed to identify, incubate and scale youth-led innovations that address socio-economic challenges across Nigeria.

The 2026–2027 cohort will operate across seven states and provide selected innovators with capacity building, intensive bootcamp training, incubation support, mentorship, financial support and pathways to market access.

Call for Applications: Tech Women Fest Laptop Initiative 2026 for Young Women in Nigeria

Deadline: September 5, 2026

Applications are open for the Tech Women Fest Laptop Initiative 2026, an opportunity designed to provide laptops to young women in Nigeria who are pursuing careers in technology but lack access to a personal computer.

The initiative aims to help reduce the digital access gap by giving selected young women the tools they need to learn, practise their skills, build technology projects and advance their professional careers.

The programme is open to eligible applicants in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States, with successful recipients expected to receive their laptops during Tech Women Fest Lagos in October 2026.

About the Tech Women Fest Laptop Initiative

The Laptop Initiative is part of Tech Women Fest Lagos 2026 and focuses on addressing one of the practical barriers that can prevent young women from progressing in technology: limited access to personal computing devices.

Having a laptop can make it easier for aspiring technology professionals to participate in online courses, practise technical skills, develop projects, build portfolios and pursue employment or freelance opportunities.

The initiative therefore targets young women who are actively developing careers in technology and require a personal laptop to support their learning and professional growth.

Who Can Apply?

The initiative is open to young women who meet the following conditions:

Reside in Lagos, Ogun or Oyo State.

Are currently pursuing or developing a career in technology.

Need access to a personal laptop to support their learning and professional development.

Are willing to register for Tech Women Fest Lagos.

Are willing to complete the separate Laptop Initiative application.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how access to a laptop would support their technology journey and career development.

What Selected Applicants Will Receive

Successful applicants will receive:

A personal laptop to support their technology career.

Access to a device for learning and skills development.

An opportunity to use the laptop for building projects and developing a professional portfolio.

Participation in the Tech Women Fest Lagos ecosystem.

The laptop is intended to provide practical support for beneficiaries as they continue developing their skills and pursuing opportunities within the technology sector.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to complete two separate steps before the deadline.

Step 1: Register for Tech Women Fest Lagos

Applicants must first register for Tech Women Fest Lagos.

APPLY HERE