African Food Systems Forum 2026: Highlights

1 - 4 September 2026. The Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 focuses on the theme “Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience,” targeting critical transformation goals across the continent.

Highlights of the programme

31 August 2026. Investing in Africa's Agrifood Resilience 

09:00–10:00 AD10 – Breakout Room 2. Side Event.

Hosted by Academy of Global Food Economics & Policy, China Agricultural University; Environmental Defense Fund. This side event explores how investments and partnerships can strengthen the resilience of Africa’sAgrifood systems through China–Africa cooperation.

31 August 2026.Securing Africa's Food Future 

10:30–11:30. MH1 - Investment Room Deal Room 2. Side Event

Hosted by CIMMYT, Mastercard Foundation, AfDB, IFDC, Bayer, Gates Foundation. Africa's agrifood systems face mounting pressures from climate shocks, humanitarian crises, market disruptions, and geopolitical instability. These interconnected challenges threaten food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and economic growth, exposing deep structural vulnerabilities.

31 August 2026. Towards Tropical Regenerative Agriculture

10:30–11:30. MH1 - Investment Room Main Stage. Side Event

Hosted by Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of Sao Paulo. Most of the world's soil biodiversity is found in tropical regions. Rather than destroying this living wealth through chemical and synthetic approaches associated with the simplification and monotony of crop and livestock systems, the objective is to make this abundance the foundation for increasing agricultural production while expanding the supply of healthy foods capable of addressing the alarming rise in the consumption of ultra-processed products and obesity, which in both Brazil and Africa are increasing alongside hunger.

31 August 2026. AfricaVeg: African Seeds, African Solutions 

12:00–13:00. MH1 - Investment Room Deal Room 2. Side Event.

Hosted by World Vegetable Center. AfricaVeg is a new public–private initiative led by the World Vegetable Center to strengthen Africa’s vegetable breeding and seed innovation ecosystem. The session will explore how African seed companies, public breeding programs, universities, and regional partners can work together to accelerate the development and delivery of locally adapted, climate-resilient vegetable varieties that better serve farmers and markets across the continent. Many vegetable farmers in Africa continue to rely on imported or poorly adapted seed, while local seed companies often lack access to advanced breeding tools, elite genetics, and product development partnerships. AfricaVeg aims to bridge this gap by equipping African seed enterprises with the genetics, technical capacity, market intelligence, and collaborative breeding networks needed to become stronger innovation partners.

31 August 2026.Financing Africa’s Agrifood Future 

12:00–13:00. MH1 - Investment Room Main Stage. Side Event

Hosted by WHH, AKADEMIYA2063; ANAPRI; AAIN; ACTS; AFAP; ASARECA; CNG; DSG; EAGC; FRI; ICIPE; RBM ; Resilient40; TMA; CORAF

Transforming Africa's agrifood systems in an increasingly uncertain global context demands smart and inclusive financing. Yet, public funds are stretched thin, private capital tends to underinvest in agriculture, while smallholders, pastoralists, SMEs, and women are too often left out of the financing equation.

Organized by AgriBridge, an African-German Policy Network for Sustainable Agrifood Systems, this session will explore key questions around agrifood systems financing. It will highlight innovative financing approaches, including blended finance and de-risking instruments such as trade credit guarantees for women entrepreneurs or a central livestock feed purchasing agency.

31 August 2026.Harnessing Africa’s Adapted Crops.

13:30–14:30 MH1 - Investment Room Main Stage. Side Event

Hosted by Africa Adaptation Crops Initiative (AACI), Food Action Alliance, AGRA, TechnoServe and Bain & Company. Africa’s adapted crops–including sorghum, millet, cowpea, cassava, teff, bambara groundnut, and indigenous vegetables–offer strong potential for climate resilience, better nutrition, and green jobs. Yet, weak seed systems, low productivity, fragmented markets, limited processing, and insufficient private investment continue to constrain their growth and commercialization.

This side event will convene governments, private sector actors, farmer organizations, youth enterprises, researchers, financiers, and development partners to explore how to unlock the full value of these crops from production to markets and value addition.

Discussions will focus on boosting productivity, expanding structured markets, strengthening processing and food innovation, and increasing investment across value chains. Participants will engage on partnerships, finance, market opportunities, and policy actions needed to scale inclusive, climate-resilient and job-creating food systems in Africa.

31 August 2026.Malabo to Kampala: Transforming Agri-Food 

16:30–17:30. MH1 - Investment Room Deal Room 2. Side Event

Hosted by GIZ; AKADEMIYA2063; CARE International. The side event will examine how countries can turn CAADP Kampala commitments into practical delivery systems. The discussion will focus on concrete mechanisms, including NASIP alignment, Joint Sector Reviews, Biennial Review readiness, public expenditure tracking, non-state actor evidence, citizen accountability and country-to-country learning.

 

1 September 2026. AFS. Innovation Hub: Investing in Diverse Crops

Africa’s agricultural resilience, nutrition outcomes, and market competitiveness depend on diversifying production systems beyond a limited number of staple crops. Shifting the agricultural narrative away from dependence on monocultures such as maize, wheat, and rice toward climate-resilient, high-nutrient alternative crops can help attract greater capital and investment into agrifood systems.

This session will explore investment opportunities in underutilized, climate-resilient, indigenous, and high-value crops that can strengthen food security, food and income diversification, biodiversity, and regional and international trade. 

Discussions will examine financing needs on high value diversified crops, market development, research and innovation, value addition, and policies required to scale diversified agricultural systems across the continent.

Segment 1: Bright lights

• Ms. Josephine Okot, CEO, Victoria Seeds
• Moderator: Ms. Liz Ogutu, Policy Manager and Lead Eastern & Southern Africa, Climate Action, Alliance of Bioversity – CIAT

Segment 2: Panel

• Dr. Jerry Asalma Nboyine, Senior Research Scientist and Entomologist, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), Nyankpala, Ghana
• Mr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, PABRA Director and Seed Systems Specialist, PABRA/International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
• Mr. Michael Keller, Secretary General, International Seed Federation
• Dr. Gabriel Rugalema, Regional Director, WorldVeg
• Mr. Ayodeji Balogun, Chief Executive Officer, AFEX
• Dr. Rufaro Madakadze, Lead Capacity Building and Technical Support, CESSA AGRA
• Innocent Namuhoranye, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR), Rwanda
• Mr. Hakeem Jimo, Executive Director, ProVeg Nigeria

1 September 2026. Researchers Roundtable: Targeting Big Bets Across Africa’s Agri-Food Transformation. 

AFS. Kigali Convention Center. 10:00–12:00. Roundtable. 

Research must now power immediate, high-impact continental “Big Bets” that can unlock transformative investment on youth to accelerate Africa’s agrifood systems transformation.

Moderators

• Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Panel Member, Malabo Montpellier & Managing Director–Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
• Prof. Shenggen Fan, Chair Professor & Dean of the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy (AGFEP), China Agricultural University (CAU)

Discussants

• Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
• Dr. Simon Heck, Director General, International Potato Centre (CIP) &; Senior Director, CGIAR
• Dr. Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, CEO & Head of Mission, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)

2 September 2026. Lemigo hotel Kigali. 7:45 AM - 10:00 AM. Scaling Opportunity Crops Through Policy, Partnerships and Investment.

2 September 2026. CGIAR Strategy 2040 and Africa Strategy. 

AFS. Kigali Convention Center. AD10 – Breakout Room 2. 15:30 – 19:30 

This joint CGIAR–FARA workshop will bring together African partners and stakeholders to discuss the emerging CGIAR Africa Strategy and contribute to shaping CGIAR Strategy 2040, inviting feedback, inputs and guidance to strengthen their relevance, ownership and impact.

• Ismahane Elouafi Executive Managing Director CGIAR
• Simeon Ehui Director General, IITA  CGIAR Regional Director for Africa & Continental Champion for Africa IITA | CGIAR
• Namukolo Covic  Lead of Liaison Office for Africa CGIAR
• Aggrey Agumya Executive Director Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

3 September 2026. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. FARA-GFAiR catch up over dinner

4 September 2026. Digitalization: Financing Generative AI for Agricultural Advisory

AFS. Kigali Convention Center. Plenary. 10:00–12:00. 

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping African agriculture, with generative AI offering personalized, real‑time advisory across crops, livestock, weather, and markets at a fraction of traditional extension costs.

Yet unlocking this potential for smallholder farmers requires financing to move beyond pilots and building shared data and digital public infrastructure that ensures accuracy, trust, and accountability.

This plenary will bring both challenges into a single dialogue, drawing on the work of the Institute for Agriculture and AI, launched through a partnership between the Gates Foundation and United Arab Emirates.

Discussions will explore coordinated investments and governance frameworks to deliver AI solutions that reflect African realities and serve farmers, women, youth, and agribusinesses.

In Focus

• Dr. Sandra Milach, Chief Scientist, Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

Center Stage

• Mr. Tajudeen Yahaya, CEO, Extension Africa
• Dr. Nicoline de Haan, Director, CGIAR Gender Equality and Inclusion Accelerator
• Prof. Vikram Sadanand Adve, Director, AI Institute for Agriculture (AIFARMS) & Head, AI Agribench Consortium
• Mr. Jamie Collinson, CEO & Founder, iSDA-Africa

In Focus

• Prof. Hlami Ngwenya, Associate Professor and Head of Research Chair in Communication for Innovation, University of the Free State

Center Stage

• Ms. Dolapo Olukasumond, Country Director Nigeria, African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)
• Dr. Daniel Elger, CEO, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI)
• Mr. Stewart Collis, Senior Program Officer – Digital Solutions & Agricultural Development, Gates Foundation

4 September 2026. Nutrition & Health: Charting Consumer Demand Trends & Our Food Environments 

AFS. Kigali Convention Center. Plenary. 13:30–15:30. 

This thematic plenary explores how consumer demand for healthy and nutrient-dense foods shapes, and is shaped, by Africa’s food environments and informal and formal markets. High food prices, weak purchasing power, and climate-related disruptions continue to limit access to nutritious foods across the continent.

Discussions will examine how food environments influence trust, affordability, and desirability and how private sector strategies can be leveraged to generate demand and aspiration for healthy diets.

By linking demand and supply-side dynamics, the plenary demonstrates how targeted policies and public and private investment into nutrient-dense foods can accelerate healthy diets, unleash market growth, and create jobs for women and youth.

Framing Remarks

• H.E. Paul Gulleik Larsen, Special Envoy and Ambassador-at-Large for Food Security, Norway
• In Focus
• Dr. Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President, The Food Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation
• Dr. Christine Chege, Senior Scientist, Food environment and consumer behaviour, Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT
• Ms. Bettina Iseli, Chief Programs Officer, Welthungerhilfe (WHH)
• Ms. Gena Perry, Executive Director, American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (ASA/WISHH)
• Ms. Boitshepo Bibi Giyose, Senior Nutrition Officer for Policy and Programmes - Nutrition and Food Systems Division, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

In Focus

• Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, GAIN

Center Stage: Consumer influence on private sector operations

• Ms. Wambui Mbarire, CEO, Retail Trade Association Kenya (RETRAK)
• Mr. George Ouma, Coordinator African Leaders for Nutrition, African Development Bank (AfDB)

Commitment Spotlight

• Ms. Angela Kimani, Senior Program Officer – Nutritious Food Systems, Gates Foundation

AR4D Funding Opportunities for Africa : September 2026

Agriculture Fisheries Forestry

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Co-operative Research Program

2026-09-10

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) invites applications for its Co-operative Research Fellowships, which support research scientists working in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related fields to undertake collaborative research projects lasting six to 26 weeks in another CRP member country. Applicants must be residents of one of the participating CRP countries. The fellowship provides travel funding to support international research collaboration. The application deadline is 10 September 2026.

TREE Fund

Building Bridges Initiative

2026-09-15

The Building Bridges Initiative helps arborists and urban foresters communicate the value of trees and urban forests through engagement via collaborative research and other projects with public works officials, risk assessment professionals, civil engineers, wildlife researchers, soil scientists, and others. The maximum award value of grants is US$30 thousand. TREE Fund welcomes research proposals and applications from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines, of both a qualitative and a quantitative nature. The deadline for Letters of Inquiry is 15 September 2026.

TREE Fund

Safe Arborist Techniques

2026-09-15

The Safe Arborist Techniques Fund (SATF) supports research and development into the techniques and equipment that arborists use in climbing, rigging, and working on trees to provide a safer working environment. The maximum award value of SATF grants is US$15 thousand. TREE Fund welcomes research proposals and applications from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines, of both a qualitative and a quantitative nature. The deadline for Letters of Inquiry is 15 September 2026.

TREE Fund

Research in Arboriculture

2026-09-15

The John Z. Duling Grant Program offers funding up to US$25 thousand for 1-3 years to support exploratory work in the early stages of untested but potentially transformative research in arboriculture. In 2026, the program will focus on Propagation, Plant Selection, Development of New Varieties, and Planting/Establishment and Arboriculture Theory and Practice. Applicants can be of any national or ethnic origin. Applicants have to send a brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before 15 September 2026.

Tree Fund

Funding for Arboriculture and Urban Forestry

2026-09-15

The Jack Kimmel International Grant Program makes grants to researchers in arboriculture and urban forestry worldwide. Projects of one to three years are funded to a maximum of US$10 thousand. In 2026, the grant program will be focused specifically on Arboriculture; Tree Health; and Risk Assessment. Applicants must send a brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before 15 September 2026 to apply.

African Plant Nutrition Institute

Outreach Fellowship for Soil Fertility Management in Africa

2026-09-21

The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) invites applications for its Outreach Fellowship. APNI offers awards of US$5,000 to African scientists, extension specialists, or educators running education, training, and communication programs that improve the use and efficiency of plant nutrients in African agro-ecosystems. Applicants must work at an African NARES institution, an African university, a nonprofit organization, or in the private sector. Proposals should address knowledge gaps or synthesize existing information to speed the adoption of improved soil fertility practices, and APNI gives particular attention to work aligned with its priority initiatives: 4R Nutrient Stewardship, nutrient and water management for African drylands, soil health and diagnostics, precision farming, and farmer-led on-farm innovation. The application deadline is 21 September 2026.

Italian Agency for Development Cooperation

Agroforestry Value Chains for Forest Restoration

2026-09-27

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) invites proposals to develop conservative and regenerative agroforestry value chains that restore forest cover, strengthen sustainable natural resource management, and improve climate resilience and livelihoods in the Karamoja region of Uganda. Eligible applicants are Italian civil society organizations recognized under Italian development cooperation legislation, working in partnership with local organizations and other relevant stakeholders. The call has a total budget of €1.78 million and supports projects with a maximum duration of 24 months. The application deadline is 27 September 2026.

Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife

UK Government

Environmental Capacity Building in UK Overseas Territories

2026-09-07

The Darwin Plus People & Skills program invites applications for projects that build local capacity to protect the natural environment through training, education, and professional development. Eligible applicants include nationals, long-term residents, or individuals with an established relationship with a UK Overseas Territory. The program provides grants of up to £100 thousand to support individual training and institutional capacity building for a project period of up to 24 months. The deadline for single-stage applications is 07 September 2026.

UNESCO

Land Restoration Fellowships

2026-09-10

The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme invites applications for the AFRIMAB–GRO Land Restoration Fellowships 2027. The fellowship supports young African researchers undertaking innovative research on land restoration, ecosystem conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and biodiversity within or linked to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Africa. Eligible applicants are African nationals aged 40 or under who are enrolled in, or affiliated with, a recognized university or research institution. The application deadline is 10 September 2026.

Vital Impacts

Environmental Photography Grant

2026-09-16

The Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant offers one US$20 thousand grant for an established photographer and six US$5 thousand grants for emerging photographers to support 12-month documentary projects focused on local, solution-oriented environmental or wildlife conservation stories. Eligible applicants must be community-rooted photojournalists who collaborate with local stakeholders. The deadline for submission is 16 September 2026.

Harvard University

Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship

2026-09-30

The Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University to pursue the discovery and formal taxonomic description of Earth’s animal species. The fellowship program is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. A Ph.D. with relevant research experience in taxonomy and/or systematics is required. The fellow receives a stipend of US$65 thousand per year and a research and travel allowance of US$5 thousand per year. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2026.

Zebra Foundation

Support for Vets and Vet Students

2026-09-30

The Zebra Foundation for Veterinary Zoological Education assists veterinary students and veterinary surgeons from anywhere in the world to gain additional experience in veterinary zoological medicine. The program funds seeing practice at an institution specializing in zoological medicine or research projects (laboratory, field, or clinic-based) leading to advances in zoo and wildlife health. Grants range from £100 to £1000. Applications are considered twice a year. The application deadlines are 31 March and 30 September 2026.

Erik Hosking Charitable Trust

Writing, Photos, and Art about Birds and Natural History

2026-09-30

The Erik Hosking Trust supports projects of scientific and conservation value on birds and other subjects of natural history through the media of writing, photography, painting, and illustration. Projects must be directly connected with ornithology or natural history. Grants of up to £750 may be awarded to suitable candidates from any country. The application deadline is 30 September each year.

Crosscutting

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

Fellowship Program

2026-09-04

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) enables early-career researchers to join a project team from another country for research activities that further our understanding of Antarctica. The fellowship is for PhD students to undertake research at major international laboratories, field facilities, or institutes in SCAR member countries. Applicants should be citizens of both a World Meteorological Organization member country and a developing economy. SCAR will offer three to four fellowships of up to US$15 thousand each. The deadline for fellowship applications is 04 September 2026.

Pulitzer Center

Global South Civil Society Microgrants

2026-09-06

The Pulitzer Center invites civil society organizations in the Global South to apply for microgrants supporting civic engagement projects. Eligible projects use at least one published Pulitzer Center story to advance public understanding on one of three focus areas: rainforest degradation and Indigenous rights, ocean health and marine governance, or the intersection of climate and labor, including gender and community resilience. Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Eligible applicants are grassroots organizations, civil society coalitions, youth movements, and community educators with prior experience running civic engagement activities in the Global South, particularly Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The application deadline is 06 September 2026.

Earth Journalism Network

Virtual Media Workshop on Mining, Environment and Human Rights Reporting in Africa

2026-09-06

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications for a three-day virtual media workshop on mining, environment, and human rights reporting. The workshop is open to journalists in any medium and social media content creators with experience covering mining, environmental, or human rights issues, who are based in Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or South Africa. EJN will offer a limited number of communications stipends to participants with unstable internet access, and all who complete the workshop receive a certificate. Following the workshop, EJN plans to award ten story grants of US$2,000 each to journalists and content creators for in-depth reporting on mining, environmental degradation, and human rights in Africa, funding travel, reporter stipends, and multimedia elements, alongside one-on-one editorial mentorship. The deadline is 06 September 2026.

Explorers Club

Conservation and Sustainability Fieldwork

2026-09-06

The Explorers Club and the Swedish outdoor company Fjällräven invite applications for the Fjällräven Field Grant, which supports fieldwork in the natural sciences related to conservation, the environment, and sustainability. The grant is open to graduate and post-graduate students and early-career scientists; the Club's grant criteria also specify explorers under the age of 35. Awards are US$5,000. Each application requires two written recommendations. The deadline is 06 September 2026.

United Nations

Indigenous Fellowship Program

2026-09-06

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowship Training Programme is open for applications. The aim of the program is to give Indigenous persons the opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights issues in general and Indigenous issues in particular. (Note: This may include land rights and biodiversity conservation issues). Participants will learn how to more effectively advocate for the rights of their communities and raise their concerns at the international level. Travel, stipend, and basic expenses are covered by OHCHR. The deadline for applications is 06 September 2026.

Fast Forward

Tech Accelerator

2026-09-07

The Fast Forward invites applications for the Accelerator Program to support and scale tech nonprofits. Tech innovations may include agri-tech or clean energy, among others. Selected entrepreneurs receive a US$25 thousand grant, mentorship, and connections to people who can help their innovation scale. The accelerator is open to tech nonprofits from around the world. Applications are open until 07 September 2026.

World Bank

Africa Visiting Scholars Program

2026-09-09

The World Bank invites applications for the Visiting Scholars Program 2026, which supports early- and mid-career African researchers in advancing policy-relevant research on development issues. The programme offers scholars the opportunity to spend up to six months at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. Eligible applicants are nationals of sub-Saharan African countries who are affiliated with a university, research institution, or government agency in Africa. The program covers travel costs, provides a monthly stipend, and offers office space and research support. The application deadline is 09 September 2026.

Next Einstein Forum

Africa Energy Innovation Challenge

2026-09-10

The Africa Energy Innovation Challenge (AEIC) invites young African energy entrepreneurs to submit early-stage prototypes that address energy needs across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transport, or AI-powered energy management. Applicants (aged between 18 and 35) form teams to co-develop and pitch their innovations, competing for support that may include funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Proposals have to be submitted by 10 September 2026.

Charity Entrepreneurship

Seed Funding to Launch an Animal Welfare Charity

2026-09-13

Charity Entrepreneurship invites applications for a round of its Incubation Program dedicated entirely to animal welfare. The program consists of a boot camp open to individuals who want to create, start, and operate an effective charity. Applicants may come from any country and any professional background. The program is entirely free: it fully covers tuition, materials, and travel, and pays a stipend of US$2,000 to US$10 thousand a month based on individual need, including for dependents or high-cost locations. The deadline to apply is 13 September 2026.

Nippon Foundation

Ocean Fellowship

2026-09-13

The United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship provides government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing states with advanced training on ocean affairs and the law of the sea. The 9-month fellowship program is composed of two consecutive phases which provide fellows with advanced and customized research and training opportunities. Fellows will receive a stipend each month during their fellowship. The stipend is intended to cover the cost of lodging, boarding, and other essentials such as local transport. In addition to the stipend, fellows will be provided with a book allowance of US$100 per month. Candidates must be between the ages of 25 and 40. The call for applications is open until 13 September 2026.

Explorers Club

Fieldwork Addressing Novel Scientific or Environmental Questions

2026-09-14

The Explorers Club supports the scientific fieldwork of groundbreaking explorers around the world. The Rolex Explorers Club Grant supports young explorers under the age of 35 who are conducting field research to address a novel scientific, environmental, or historical question. The average award is US$10 thousand. The deadline to submit applications is 14 September 2026.

Canon Foundation

Japan-Africa Exchange Fellowship

2026-09-15

The Canon Foundation invites applications for its Japan-Africa Exchange Program to support postgraduate scholars conducting research in African studies. The fellowship enables researchers based in African institutions to do research in Japan, and researchers based in Japanese institutions to do research in Africa. The program funds research visits lasting from a minimum of six to eight weeks up to a maximum of one year, with the option to split the time spent abroad. Financial support ranges from €22,500 to €27,500 per year. The application deadline is 15 September 2026.

Breakthrough Prize

Breakthrough Junior Challenge

2026-09-15

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge asks youth to submit scientific discoveries or explain a big scientific idea in Physics, Life Sciences, or Mathematics with a short video (max. 2:00 minutes). One winner receives a US$250 thousand post-secondary scholarship, including an additional US$50 thousand teacher prize and US$100 thousand Breakthrough Science Lab. Eligibility is limited to individuals between the ages of 13 and 18 but is open to participants worldwide without geographic limitations. Videos have to be submitted by 15 September 2026.

United Nations Environment Program

Mountain Community Resilience Grants in East Africa

2026-09-15

The UN Environment Program invites community-based organisations in the East African Community to apply to the first call for proposals of the Mountains ADAPT small grants project. The grants support ecosystem-based approaches that help mountain communities respond to climate change impacts, protect their natural environment, and improve livelihoods, funding activities such as ecosystem restoration, rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, and disaster preparedness. Grants provide up to US$30 thousand each toward design and implementation. This first round will fund up to fifteen projects across Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Eligible applicants are locally based, formally registered non-governmental organisations. The application deadline is 15 September 2026.

SPIE

International Day of Light Photo Contest

2026-09-16

SPIE invites submissions for its annual International Day of Light Photo Contest to highlight the critical role that light and light-based technologies play in nature and daily life. The global competition is open to amateur and professional photographers who are at least 18 years old. Participants can submit up to two images depicting properties of light interacting with the atmosphere and nature, light technology, or human interactions with light. The organization awards a first prize of US$2.5 thousand, a second prize of US$1 thousand, a third prize of US$500, and a special Judges' Choice for Best of Science prize of US$1 thousand. The deadline for entries is 16 September 2026.

American Association of University Women

International Fellowships for Women in STEM

2026-09-17

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) invites applications for its International Fellowships, which support non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent-residents who are women pursuing full-time graduate study in STEM fields. Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in their first master's or first doctoral degree in a STEM field. STEM eligibility spans a wide range of fields, explicitly including agricultural sciences, environmental science, forestry, natural resource science, and marine science alongside the more conventional STEM disciplines. International Fellowships carry a stipend of US$20 thousand for a master's degree and US$25 thousand for a doctorate. The deadline is 17 September 2026.

American Association for the Advancement of University Women

International Fellowships 2027

2026-09-17

The American Association for the Advancement of University Women (AAAUW) provides support for women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the USA who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Preference is given to women who show prior commitment to the advancement of women and girls through civic, community, or professional work. Fellows represent all subject areas, including those important in the Terra Viva Grants Directory. Fellows receive between US$20 thousand and US$50 thousand to pursue their studies. The deadline for the submission of applications is 17 September 2026.

Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies

Sustainable Governance Research by Africa-Based Scholars

2026-09-18

The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) invites applications for its Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa. Fellows receive a full-time employment contract with the University of Freiburg, along with a research cost contribution and reimbursement of inbound and outbound travel. Applicants may hold any nationality but must be based at an institution in an African country. FRIAS considers applications only from the humanities and social sciences with a thematic focus on sustainable governance, which the institute defines broadly to include the environment, climate change, resources, social and human rights, and cost-efficiency. The deadline is 18 September 2026.

Charles Hayward Foundation

Livelihoods Support in Africa

2026-09-18

The Charles Hayward Foundation invites applications for its overseas main grants to support development projects in the Commonwealth countries of Africa. The program funds initiatives focused on clean water and sanitation, sustainable livelihoods linked to environmental conservation, and agricultural training for income generation. UK-registered charities with an annual income between £150 thousand and £4 million are eligible to apply. The foundation provides one-off, one-year grants of up to £15,000 to cover grassroots project expenses delivered alongside local partners. The deadline for proposals is 18 September 2026.

Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

Visiting Scholar

2026-09-18

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) provides visiting scholarships to mid- to late-career stage scientists and academics involved in Antarctic research. Scholars can undertake short-term visits (up to 4 weeks) to an institute in another SCAR member country, to provide training and mentoring. The Visiting Scholar Scheme provides individual awards of up to US$5 thousand. The closing date for applications is 18 September 2026.

Zendal Group

Biotechnology Awards

2026-09-20

The International Zendal Awards recognize outstanding contributions to biotechnology projects in human and animal health within a One Health framework, offering two prizes: €40 thousand for Human Health and €25 thousand for Animal Health. The award is open to public or private institutions worldwide, including universities, NGOs, foundations, startups, and government entities. Nominations are accepted until 20 September 2026.

QS ImpACT

Scholarships for Social Change

2026-09-21

QS ImpACT offers several scholarship opportunities for young leaders and students who demonstrate a commitment to creating positive social impact in their communities. Eligibility is generally open to students globally who are pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies, particularly those who are members of the QS ImpACT community or attending a QS event. The program provides various funding levels, including awards of US$2 thousand and larger scholarships up to US$10 thousand to support educational expenses. While some awards are periodic, major applications typically follow an annual cycle with a closing date of 21 September 2026.

Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Prize for Innovation in Global Security

2026-09-23

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) offers a prize to recognize groundbreaking concepts by any individual, group of individuals, or organization, that offer exceptional potential in addressing peace and security challenges. All disciplines and fields are relevant (including climate change and environmental security). The winner will receive CHF10 thousand and a certificate. The deadline for applications is 23 September 2026.

International Development Research Centre

Multilateral Research Call

2026-09-25

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) invites expressions of interest for collaborative, multi-country research projects that advance Africa's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. The call supports research in five thematic areas: agriculture, health, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, energy, and environment. Eligible applicants are consortia consisting of one lead institution and at least two co-applicant institutions from different participating SGCI countries; eligible organizations include public research organizations, public and private universities, and governmental research organizations, while organizations outside participating countries may join as unfunded partners. Funding ranges from CA$50 thousand to CA$300 thousand per consortium member. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is 25 September 2026.

American Association of University Women

International Project Grants

2026-09-30

AAUW’s International Project Grants provides support for women to lead community-based projects that advance gender equity for women and girls in their home country. (Note: Fields of study may include one or more categories of the Terra Viva Grants Directory as long as they focus on the advancement of women and girls’ rights.) Award amounts are up to US$ 10 thousand for one year. To be eligible for an International Fellowship, applicants must have citizenship in a country other than the U.S. and intend to return to her home country to pursue a professional career. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026.

World Bank Group

Young Professionals Program 2027

2026-09-30

The World Bank Group invites applications for the Young Professionals Program as a starting point for a career at the World Bank. The program is designed for individuals skilled in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, and many others. Applicants should hold a PhD or master’s degree and relevant work experience; be fluent in English; and meet other criteria relevant to experience, skills, and age. Every year, around 40 applicants are accepted into the program. The closing date for applications is 30 September 2026.

United Nations University

PhD Internships in Economics

2026-09-30

UNU-WIDER (World Institute for Development Economics Research) invites applications for its PhD research internship program in Helsinki, Finland. Preference is for applicants who live or work in developing countries, and who are in the later stages of their PhD. Program themes in WIDER include the economics of energy, climate change, food security, and others. UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant and a monthly stipend of €1,850 during the period of the fellowship. Deadlines for submission of applications are 31 March and 30 September each year.

FCI4Africa | Supporting Fair Food Systems & Trade in Africa

FCI4Africa – Fair Food and Trade Systems for Africa through Food Convergence Innovation is a four-year research and innovation project working to make African food and trade systems fairer, more inclusive, sustainable, climate-neutral and health-promoting. 

• The project runs from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2028 and has a total budget of €4.50 million (€4,499,353). 
• It is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, within the programme area Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Grant Agreement No. 101182485). 
• The project is coordinated by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and brings together 13 participating organisations from Africa, Europe and Canada. FCI4Africa project on CORDIS

FCI4Africa responds to a central challenge for African agriculture: increasing agricultural production alone is insufficient if farmers, SMEs and food businesses cannot access markets on fair terms. The project therefore combines food-system innovation with intra-African trade development, working on challenges such as market access, non-tariff measures, food safety, product quality, value-chain business models and access to knowledge and technologies. Among its planned outputs are a Digital Knowledge Hub, an open innovation and demonstration platform, analytical methods for different food product–trait combinations, and innovative solutions that can be tested and subsequently adopted by food-system actors.

An important feature is that FCI4Africa does not restrict innovation funding to the original consortium. 

• It has allocated €600,000 for Financial Support to Third Parties through two Open Calls, supporting at least 12 additional projects. 
• The first call provides €400,000 for eight projects of up to €50,000 each, targeting universities, research institutes, technology developers, SMEs, start-ups and other multidisciplinary actors. 
• These projects will test and validate technologies, tools and business concepts addressing trade, non-tariff barriers and market access and will run from November 2026 to October 2027. 
• A second €200,000 call will support four projects involving innovation hubs, mentoring and acceleration, with implementation foreseen from October 2027 to June 2028. 
• FCI4Africa Open Calls

From Seed to Market: Strengthening Farmer-Managed Seed Systems for Safflower and Indigenous Crops in Botswana

Botswana’s dry and increasingly unpredictable climate makes the diversification of agriculture an urgent priority. One promising pathway lies in Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) and greater investment in neglected and underutilized crops that are adapted to local conditions. 

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) provides a particularly interesting example. Research by the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) has demonstrated safflower’s potential under Botswana’s semi-arid conditions, while farmers have begun multiplying seed and developing markets for products ranging from petals and herbal teas to animal feed and edible oil. Recent BUAN research found substantial differences among safflower genotypes and identified promising material for production in southern Botswana, confirming that research on crop diversity can directly support farmers in selecting varieties suited to local environments.

Resources:

• Fieldtrip RUFORUM 21ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025
• Mainstreaming Agriculture Biodiversity in Global Value Chains - From ecological fit to economic proof: Botswana’s safflower strategy redefines dryland resilience
• Botswana Agriculture Business and Investment Forum

The experience also illustrates why research on indigenous and locally adapted seeds should not stop at crop characterization or conservation. It needs to be connected to the entire pathway from seed to consumer. Farmer-managed seed systems can conserve diversity while continuously adapting crops through farmer selection and exchange. At the same time, universities and national research institutions can provide complementary evidence on agronomy, nutritional characteristics, yield, processing qualities and market potential. The safflower work in Botswana already demonstrates the value of such collaboration: research has been combined with farmer training, seed multiplication, product development and cooperation among universities, technical and vocational education institutions, government agencies, farmers and cooperatives.

1. Enabling seed policies: recognizing farmers as seed-system actors

A first requirement is an enabling policy environment that recognizes FMSS alongside the formal certified seed sector. Botswana's seed regulatory framework provides mechanisms for seed testing and certification, including access to seed-testing services for individual farmers, researchers and seed producers. However, farmer-managed systems require approaches that recognize that farmers do more than purchase seed: they select, multiply, conserve, exchange and improve planting material over generations.

This is increasingly part of the wider African seed-policy debate. The emerging African FMSS policy framework defines farmer-managed seed systems as community-based systems through which farmers conserve, select, produce, save, exchange and trade seeds, drawing particularly on traditional varieties, landraces and indigenous knowledge. Earlier proposals for an African legal framework have similarly called for farmer seed registers, appropriate quality assurance mechanisms, farmer seed committees and greater participation of farmers in seed-policy decision making.

For Botswana, this could mean developing proportionate pathways for registering and marketing farmer varieties and locally adapted seeds, supporting community seed banks and decentralized seed multiplication, and creating mechanisms through which farmer knowledge and research evidence can jointly inform variety evaluation. Rather than forcing every indigenous or farmer variety through a system designed primarily for highly uniform commercial varieties, policy could recognize diversity itself as an agricultural asset. Links between farmer seed networks, BUAN and national seed-testing and research services could provide quality assurance while maintaining farmers' capacity to conserve, exchange and further develop locally adapted genetic resources.

2. Value addition: turning seed diversity into economic opportunity

Conservation becomes considerably more sustainable when farmers can derive income from the crops they conserve. Safflower demonstrates the possibilities particularly well because

almost every part of the plant can generate value. 

• Seeds can be pressed into edible oil; 
• petals and other plant parts can be developed into herbal teas and food products; 
• seed cake and biomass can become livestock feed; 
• and safflower has potential applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles and other industries. Botswana farmers are already experimenting with several of these opportunities.

Research therefore needs to move beyond asking, “Which indigenous crops and varieties do we have?” towards asking, “Which products can be developed from them, who can produce these products, and which markets will pay for them?” This requires interdisciplinary research involving crop scientists, nutritionists, food technologists, economists and entrepreneurs working directly with farmers. Characterization of indigenous seeds could systematically include traits relevant to processing and markets—oil content, nutritional composition, taste, cooking characteristics, shelf life, processing efficiency and suitability for different food products.

This creates an important role for women and youth-led small and medium enterprises. Small-scale oil extraction, drying and packaging of safflower petals, herbal tea production, livestock-feed formulation and cosmetic products could generate businesses beyond primary production. The safflower Community Action Research Project has already demonstrated how research, training and value-chain development can be combined, including through farmer cooperatives and technical and vocational institutions. The same approach could be extended to Botswana's wider portfolio of indigenous and underutilized crops.

3. Processing and market development: creating demand for diversity

The third challenge is ensuring that increased production is matched by processing capacity and reliable markets. Farmers will have little incentive to maintain diverse crops if there is no buyer after harvest. Processing is therefore the critical bridge between agricultural biodiversity and commercial demand.

For safflower, this means moving progressively from selling raw seed towards locally produced cold-pressed cooking oil, packaged herbal teas, livestock feed, cosmetics and other higher-value products. Research can support this transition by testing processing technologies, establishing product-quality and food-safety standards, determining storage and shelf-life requirements and developing affordable equipment suitable for farmer cooperatives and rural SMEs. Botswana research has already established that safflower genotypes differ significantly in seed yield and oil characteristics, making the selection of varieties for particular end uses an important part of market development.

The Kiama composite is a promising safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) population for Botswana’s semi-arid farming conditions, particularly because a composite brings together useful genetic diversity rather than relying on a narrowly uniform cultivar. This diversity can give farmers greater scope to select and maintain seed under their own local conditions, making Kiama especially relevant to Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS), where continued adaptation, seed saving and farmer selection are important.

Market development must occur simultaneously. Public procurement, supermarkets, restaurants, tourism and hospitality businesses, school-feeding programmes and health-conscious urban consumers could all provide markets for products derived from locally adapted crops. Branding could emphasize qualities that differentiate these products: Botswana-grown, climate-resilient, locally processed and biodiversity-friendly. Farmer organizations and SMEs could also explore regional markets in Southern Africa once consistent volumes and quality standards are established.

The emerging safflower sector demonstrates that this is already more than a theoretical opportunity. In Kweneng North, farmers organized to multiply safflower seed, while farmers in Pandamatenga subsequently expanded production and began selling seeds and petals while exploring oil extraction. Collaboration with BUAN has helped transfer research findings to farmers and reveal additional uses and business opportunities.

Building an integrated "seed-to-market" model

The central lesson from safflower is that FMSS, research and enterprise development should not be treated as separate agendas. An integrated approach could connect:

Farmer seed selection and indigenous knowledge → research and characterization → community seed multiplication → enabling seed regulation → production → processing and product development → branding and market development → increased farmer income → stronger incentives to conserve crop diversity.

Such a model changes the way indigenous seeds are viewed. They are no longer simply genetic resources that need to be conserved before they disappear. They become the starting point for climate-resilient agricultural value chains. 

• Farmers remain custodians and innovators of diversity, 
• researchers help identify and improve its agronomic, nutritional and commercial potential, 
• processors turn crops into attractive products, 
• and markets provide the economic incentives needed to keep these crops in farmers' fields.

Botswana's experience with safflower offers a promising foundation. Research has shown that the crop can perform well under semi-arid conditions and has significant oil and product-development potential. The next opportunity is to apply this experience more systematically to indigenous and underutilized seeds: recognize farmer-managed seed systems in policy, connect research to farmer knowledge, invest in decentralized processing and value addition, and deliberately build markets for the resulting products. In this way, conserving agricultural biodiversity becomes not only a conservation objective, but a strategy for rural enterprise development, food and nutrition security, climate resilience and farmer livelihoods.

Related:

The Safflower Africa Project is a long-term initiative associated with Kenyan plant scientist Dr Nelson Kiama Mwaniki that seeks to promote safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) across Africa as a multipurpose food, medicinal and income-generating crop, particularly suited to dryland conditions.I

• Its origins go back to Kenya in 2000, when about 2,500 small-scale farmers in Nyeri District were introduced to safflower, initially for cut-flower production for export to the Netherlands. 
• The initiative subsequently broadened its emphasis toward safflower as a medicinal plant, leafy vegetable, source of edible oil and petals, and potential high-value crop for smallholders. 
• Its stated long-term ambition is very large: 10,000 hectares of safflower farms across 50 African countries by 2050.

Related: 

The Quality Food Products Ltd (QFP), Tanzania project was an Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) investment in the Arusha-based company to expand safflower and food-crop production among smallholders through conservation/zero-tillage. It shows how safflower development can go beyond seed research: 

• QFP linked smallholder production + conservation agriculture/mechanization + aggregation + processing/oil extraction + marketing. 
• QFP's model provides a useful Tanzanian precedent for turning a drought-adapted crop into a functioning value chain rather than promoting seed production alone
• AECF supported with US$700,000 (US$300,000 grant + US$400,000 repayable grant) this initiative.

Related:

4 August 2026. Much of the land in Botswana and southern Africa countries lie idle during winter due to the severe frosts which can go below 7 degrees centigrade killing all the traditional food crops like maize, sorghum, beans and grasses for animal foraging.

The safflower kiama variety solves this problem by its ability to withstand both the frost and the paucity of moisture.  The Safflower Africa Project is at the stage of creating community awareness about the ease of growing the plant as well as the higher economic and food value associated with growing the plant for maximum land utilization. 

In this video, we visit Mr. Johnson Moatlhodi in his Moshupa farm about 60 Km west of Gaborone, the village of Dr Eric Masisi, former President of Botswana. This is his first time to grow safflower.

13 Augustus 2026. Safflower vegetable harvesting should be guided by the buyer's quality standards. On the other hand, the quality standards are determined by the customer preferences. The farmer needs to understand that he/she is the one selling the vegetables and the buyer is selling the space in the shop only.