Call for Applications: Climate Skills for Youth Programme (Advanced Training Cohort) — Apply Before September 25, 2026

Climate Skills for Youth Programme, Advanced Training Cohort, IRENA Youth, Coalition for a Brighter Earth, climate action for youth, renewable energy training, climate policy, youth climate leaders, free online climate courses 2026

Are you a young person passionate about climate action, renewable energy, or climate policy and looking to take your knowledge to the next level? The Coalition for a Brighter Earth, in partnership with IRENA Youth and Climate Skills for Youth, has opened applications for the Advanced Training Cohort of the Climate Skills for Youth Programme — and this could be exactly the opportunity you've been waiting for.

What Is the Climate Skills for Youth Advanced Training Cohort?

This is a step up from the standard Climate Skills for Youth track. It's an interactive training designed specifically for young people who already have a basic understanding — or some hands-on experience — in climate change, sustainability, renewable energy, policy, advocacy, or research.

The advanced cohort builds around two core themes:

•Energy and Just Transition — exploring Africa's changing energy landscape, the role of renewable energy in tackling climate change, and what a fair, inclusive shift to clean energy looks like for communities and young people.

•Climate Negotiations and Policy — helping participants understand how international climate negotiations work, how young people can engage meaningfully in policy spaces, and how to communicate climate ideas and solutions with confidence.

By the end of the training, participants should be able to:

-Deepen their understanding of energy, climate policy, and global climate negotiations

-Analyze climate challenges and opportunities from an African and youth lens

-Participate more confidently in climate discussions and policy conversations

-Explore practical, youth-led approaches to climate solutions

-Pitch and communicate climate ideas effectively

-Identify pathways to turn their learning into real projects, advocacy work, research, or career opportunities

Who Is This Programme For?

This cohort is built for young people ready to move beyond the basics. You should apply if you:

-Have some prior exposure to climate change, sustainability, energy, policy, advocacy, or research (basic, intermediate, or advanced — there's a spot for each level)

-Want to strengthen your understanding of key climate and sustainability issues

-Are keen to work collaboratively with other young people to develop youth-led ideas

-Want to learn how to pitch and communicate climate solutions effectively

-Are looking to connect your learning to real opportunities in careers, advocacy, or further climate engagement

-Alumni of the original Climate Skills for Youth Programme are especially encouraged to apply — your prior experience gives you a strong foundation for this advanced level.

How to Apply

The application is straightforward and typically asks for:

•Basic information — your name, email, country, and age

•Your area of interest — Renewable Energy for Climate Action, Climate Negotiations and Policy, or both

•Your experience level — including whether you're an alumnus of the earlier cohort

•Your motivation — why you want to join and what you hope to gain

👉 Apply here

Deadline

Applications close on 25th September, 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, so don't wait until the last minute — submit early and make sure every section of the form is filled out accurately.

Why This Matters

Climate action in Africa needs young voices who understand both the technical side (energy access, renewable technology, the just transition) and the policy side (how negotiations happen, how youth priorities get heard). This programme is designed to bridge that gap — giving you the tools to move from simply following climate conversations to actually shaping them.

Don't miss the next big opportunity. Ganarious Blog tracks grants, fellowships, and youth programmes like this one every week — bookmark this page, follow along, and check back often so you're never late to an application that could change your trajectory. Got a friend who'd benefit from this? Share it with them before the deadline!

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 Digital Nigeria Builders Festival 2026: ₦3 Billion Funding Opportunity for Nigerian Startups — Apply Now

If you're building a tech solution to a real Nigerian problem, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for. NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency), in partnership with Tech Revolution Africa, has opened applications for the Digital Nigeria Builders Festival, and it comes with access to a ₦3 billion funding and contract pipeline.

What Is the Builders Festival?

This isn't your typical pitch competition where you present an idea and hope for the best. The Builders Festival flips the model: NITDA has already collected real, pressing challenges from Nigeria's top government agencies and corporate institutions — in sectors like GovTech, HealthTech, FinTech, EdTech, and DeepTech — and startups are matched directly to the problems their products can solve.

Instead of pitching a concept into the void, you're shown the actual pain point (things like unified patient identity systems, cross-border payment dashboards, or vaccine supply chain visibility) and asked: can your product solve this?

Successful startups get:

•Direct market access — matched with government agencies and corporates that have already declared a need for what you're building, no cold emailing required

•Access to the ₦3 billion pipeline — venture capital, angel investment, and government innovation support

•Elite masterclasses — workshops on product, engineering, and go-to-market strategy

•A seat in the Deal Room — live sessions at the Digital Nigeria conference where matched startups negotiate directly with institutional buyers, aiming to walk away with a signed pilot agreement or MoU

Who Is This For?

This programme is strictly for startups with a real product already in the market — not idea-stage founders. To qualify, you should be:

•Nigerian-registered as a business

•At MVP stage or beyond — meaning you have at least one live user, an active pilot, or a paying client

•Building in one of the priority sectors: Healthcare, EdTech, Logistics, Supply Chain, AI, Cloud, Data, AgriTech, Connectivity, FinTech, e-Governance, and more

A word of encouragement if you're early-stage: the organisers have made clear that a lean, small team with a working product and real traction stands a better chance than a well-funded startup with a polished deck and no users. Product maturity and market traction matter more than size.

Application Link and Deadline

Applications close on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Apply here: https://nitda.techrevolutionafrica.org/

You can also register your interest via the main portal: https://digitalnigeria.gov.ng/

Shortlisted applicants should expect a decision within 10 business days after the deadline closes, so don't wait until the last minute — early applications reportedly get priority during the review process.

How the Process Works

-Apply through the official form (organisation profile, product details, demo video/pitch deck, and the specific institutional challenge you solve)

-Get reviewed against three criteria: market traction, team resilience, and product maturity

-Get matched with an institution whose stated challenge aligns with your solution

-Pitch and enter the Deal Room at the live conference

-Walk away with funding, a pilot contract, or a partnership deal

Don't let this one pass you by. Opportunities like this — where government and top corporates are actively looking to fund and deploy Nigerian-built tech — don't come around often. If you know a founder building something real, tag them or send this their way.

And if you want to be the first to know about opportunities like this one — grants, fellowships, funding calls, and programmes built for Nigerian and African entrepreneurs — make sure you're following the blog and turning on notifications. We dig these out early so you don't miss your shot. 🇳🇬

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 Fatima Institute Opens Applications for Its First-Ever Fall 2026 Fellowship Cohort

The Fatima Institute for Global AI Research has thrown open its doors for a Fall 2026 Fellowship cohort — its first-ever Fall intake — and it's a rare opportunity for aspiring researchers, especially those from underrepresented regions like Nigeria, to break into the world of AI research.

What Is the Fatima Institute Fellowship?

The Fatima Institute is a global nonprofit built to close a massive gap in the AI world: today, 85% of AI research is concentrated in just four countries, while 77% of humanity produces only 15% of global AI research, leaving billions with almost no voice in shaping the technology that will define their future.

To fix this, the Institute — which started with a single email back in 2018 — matches brilliant students from 38 underrepresented countries, from Nepal to Nigeria, with elite mentors from institutions like Stanford, Google, and MIT, giving them the guidance and computational resources needed to compete on the global research stage.

The Fellowship itself is a 9-month, mentorship-driven research program. Fellows are paired one-on-one with a mentor (typically a current PhD student or researcher) and work on a real AI/ML research project — the kind of experience that strengthens applications to top graduate programs abroad.

For this Fall cohort specifically, according to the official application form, accepted Fellows will be matched with mentors and research projects by November 2026.

Who Is It For?

This opportunity has two tracks:

•Fellows — students and early-career researchers who want hands-on research mentorship and a path toward computer science/AI graduate programs.

•Mentors — experienced professionals and researchers who want to give back by guiding a fellow through a research project.

The Institute isn't chasing only elite, already-connected applicants. Fellows selected from over 1,500 applicants have gone on to a 36% acceptance rate into top graduate programs like Harvard, Georgia Tech, and Princeton — more than 3 times the global average — and have published 12+ papers at top-tier venues like NeurIPS and ACL on problems like low-resource languages, algorithmic fairness, and global health. The most recent Spring 2026 cohort alone brought together 67 fellows from 22 countries, showing just how international and diverse the community is.

Is It Free?

Yes — the Fellowship does not charge participants. It runs on donor and sponsor funding.

Are Nigerians Eligible?

Yes. The Institute explicitly lists Nigeria among its target underrepresented countries, and Nigerians have been part of past cohorts. If you're a Nigerian student or recent graduate with an interest in AI/ML research and PhD study abroad, you're squarely within the pool this Fellowship was built for.

How to Apply

Apply as a Fellow: https://fatima.institute/join-fellow

Apply as a Mentor: https://fatima.institute/join-mentor

Deadline

This is the one detail worth flagging clearly: as of this writing, the Fatima Institute has not published a fixed application deadline for the Fall 2026 cohort on its official channels. Given that accepted Fellows are expected to be matched with mentors by November 2026, applications are likely being reviewed on a rolling basis — so the safest move is to apply as early as possible rather than wait, and to check the application page directly for any deadline updates.

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 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders: Application Now Open

What It's All About

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship leadership program of the U.S. Government's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since its launch in 2014, it has brought thousands of young African leaders to the United States for a six-week Leadership Institute at U.S. colleges and universities, combining academic training, leadership development, and networking with American institutions and professionals. Some top Fellows go on to a Professional Development Experience of up to six additional weeks with U.S. organizations in their field.

For the 2027 cohort, applicants can choose from three tracks:

•Business and Trade

•Emerging Technologies

•Governance and Security

Who It's For

The Fellowship is designed for accomplished young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, generally aged 25–35, who already have a track record of leadership, innovation, and positive impact in their communities, businesses, or public service — whether as entrepreneurs, civic leaders, tech innovators, or changemakers. You must be both a citizen and resident of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country.

Why You Should Apply

It's fully funded — no cost to attend.

It builds real credibility and opens doors: alumni join a global network of nearly 8,000 YALI Fellows.

You gain hands-on exposure to U.S. institutions, mentorship, and professional development directly tied to your sector.

It's competitive, but not out of reach — several alumni have shared they applied more than once before getting selected, so persistence pays off.

How to Apply

👉 Apply here: mwfellows.info/apply

Eligibility, criteria, and deadlines are subject to confirmation on the official Fellowship website once the 2027 cycle is fully live — always cross-check before submitting.

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 NYSF 2026 Sustainability Solution Showcase: Call for Applications for Young Nigerian Founders

Deadline: Monday, September 21, 2026

Do you have a solution that could make Nigeria more sustainable? The Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre and the Naija Youth Sustainability Forum (NYSF) are inviting young Nigerians to present their work at the NYSF 2026 Sustainability Solution Showcase.

What is it about?

The Showcase is a call for young Nigerians building solutions for a more sustainable Nigeria. Its tagline is "Showcase • Connect • Grow."

It comes from the Naija Youth Sustainability Forum, which brings together young people from across Nigeria to inspire innovation and leadership action for sustainable development, with a focus on sustainability trends, ESG topics and economic opportunities. The forum has run in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Sustainability Centre itself was launched in 2010 and works to find solutions to critical sustainability challenges through research, certificate programmes and business action platforms.  (Naija Youth Sustainability Forum (YSF) +2)

Who is it for?

The flyer says the call is for young Nigerian founders, entrepreneurs, social innovators and organisational leaders.

Country eligibility: Nigerians. No state restriction appears on the flyer.

Age limit: not stated for the 2026 call. The 2023 forum was open to people aged 18 to 35, so check the application page before applying.  

Focus areas

Your solution should fall under one of these three themes:

•Climate & Environment

•Social Development

•Sustainable Economy & Infrastructure

Why apply?

The flyer promises a platform to showcase your solution, connect with other changemakers and grow your work. Details such as the showcase date, format, benefits and selection criteria aren't published in the sources I could access. Check the application page for those.

Deadline

Applications close on Monday, September 21, 2026. The flyer doesn't give a cut-off time, so submit early.

How to apply

👉 Apply here: https://events.lbs.edu.ng/NYSF26#/

Quick tips

Pick the theme that fits your solution best.

Be ready to describe the problem, your solution, your stage and your impact so far.

Read the full requirements on the application page before you start.

For questions, email the organisers at sustainabilitycentre@lbs.edu.ng.

Source: LBS Sustainability Centre / Naija Youth Sustainability Forum. Always confirm details on the official application page.

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 AGORA Fellowship 2026 (Cohort 2): Apply for a Partially Funded 9-Month Leadership Programme for African Leaders

Are you a mid-career founder, executive or institution builder ready to move from personal influence to systems-level impact? The AGORA Fellowship has opened applications for Cohort 2, and Nigerians can apply.

What Is the AGORA Fellowship?

The AGORA Fellowship is a 9-month leadership and institution-building programme run by The Agora Project in Lagos, Nigeria, and powered by Eden Centre. It is built for African leaders who are already creating measurable impact and want to scale it through organisations, enterprises, ministries or structured platforms.

The programme is explicitly faith-based. It trains "Kingdom-minded" leaders with Christ-centred influence across twelve spheres of society, including business, government, media, education, law, technology, fashion and non-profits.

At a glance

•Duration: 9 months

•Cohort size: small and selective (the website lists 12 fellows)

•Funding: partially funded

•Organiser: The Agora Project, Lagos, Nigeria

What Fellows Get

•Leadership formation

•Institution building

•Mentorship and peer learning

•Systems leadership training

•Strategic exposure

•Capstone development (a Kingdom Impact Project addressing a real societal challenge)

•Residency and immersive learning

•Graduation and commissioning

•Fellows are guided by faculty, mentors and a panel of judges who assess their final projects.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

•Country: open to Africans, so Nigerians are eligible. No state restriction is stated.

•Age: 27 to 40 years

•Experience: about 8 to 10 years of professional experience in marketplace, ministry, creative industries, public service or entrepreneurship

•Business: a legally registered social enterprise or business operating in Africa

•Level: mid-level or senior professionals, such as founders, executives and institution builders

•Track record: already leading and creating measurable impact

A Note on Faith Orientation

This is a Christian discipleship-and-leadership programme. Its curriculum, objectives and mentorship are grounded in a biblical worldview. Read the programme details carefully to confirm it fits your values before you apply.

Deadline

Applications opened: 5 September 2026

Applications close: 1 November 2026

Don't wait until the last week. Prepare your business registration documents and impact evidence early.

How to Apply

👉 Apply here: AGORA Fellowship Application Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyHpFRESjFlHYadNz0P_18CWMr-YVL6S7i6u0FHrJmhEZLIA/viewform

👉 Visit the official fellowship page: https://theagoraproject.org/fellowship/

For questions, email fellowship@theagoraproject.org.

Final Thoughts

If you lead a registered enterprise or institution and want structured mentorship and a peer network of fellow leaders, this fellowship is worth considering. Share this with a leader who fits.

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 D-Prize Global Competition 2026: Win Up to $20,000 to Launch a Social Enterprise Fighting Poverty

Are you a Nigerian entrepreneur, NGO founder, or first-time changemaker looking for fully funded grant opportunities for Nigerians in 2026? Here's one you should not scroll past: the D-Prize Global Competition 2026 is open, and it is offering up to $20,000 in startup grant funding to entrepreneurs ready to launch a new social enterprise, NGO, or for-profit venture that distributes proven solutions to poverty.

If you've been searching for "grants for Nigerian entrepreneurs 2026," "free funding for social enterprises," "how to get $20,000 grant to start a business," or "D-Prize application deadline," this post breaks it all down — what it is, who qualifies, the deadline, and the direct application link.

What Is the D-Prize Global Competition?

D-Prize awards startup grants of up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs launching new organizations, and seeds for-profit ventures, NGOs, and charities in any low- or middle-income country where extreme poverty still exists. D-Prize doesn't fund brand-new inventions — it funds people who can distribute solutions that already work but aren't reaching enough people. Think: childhood diarrhoea treatment, reading glasses distribution, maternal health, agriculture inputs, water filters, childcare access, and phone-based tutoring — real, evidence-backed interventions, and you design how to get them to more people who need them. 

You can pick from their published challenge list or propose your own poverty-fighting distribution idea.

Are Nigerians Eligible?

Yes — Nigerians are eligible to apply. D-Prize is for new organizations, most awardees are first-time entrepreneurs who haven't yet launched or raised outside funding, and applicants from low- and middle-income countries — which includes Nigeria — are especially encouraged to apply.

Key eligibility points for Nigerian applicants:

•You should be launching a new organisation (for-profit, NGO, or charity) — not running one for years already.

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

•Only one idea can be submitted per applicant, and proposals must be written in English — good news for Nigerian applicants since English is our official language.

•Teams and individuals can both apply.

•This makes it a strong fit for Nigerian social entrepreneurs — especially those working on health access, agriculture, education, or women's economic empowerment in underserved communities.

Application Process

The selection model runs in three rounds: Round 1 is a concise two-page concept note plus resumes; Round 2 invites the top applicants to answer short written questions about their model and execution plan; and the Final Round involves an interview by phone or email for the top finalists, who then receive the startup grant. 

Deadlines to Note

Based on the current 2026 cycle:

•Global Competition launched: September 14, 2026

•Early Submission Deadline: October 25, 2026

•Regular Submission Deadline: November 15, 2026 (midnight PT)

•Extension Deadline: December 6, 2026 (midnight PT)

Apply early where possible — early submissions sometimes get feedback before the regular round closes.

How to Apply

Application is free — no application fee. Apply directly on the official D-Prize website: www.d-prize.org

If you're a Nigerian entrepreneur with a poverty-solving idea sitting in your notes app, this is your sign. D-Prize doesn't need you to have a fancy pitch deck or existing funding — it needs a clear plan for getting an already-proven solution to more people who need it. That's it.

Follow Ganarious Blog for more verified grants, fellowships, and opportunity roundups for Nigerian and African entrepreneurs.

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 COY21 Call for Cultural Program: Bring Your Culture to Antalya, Türkiye 🌍

Deadline: 20 September 2026 — just two days away, so if this interests you, move fast.

What Is It?

The Call for Cultural Program is an open invitation for young people, artists, Indigenous representatives, and cultural organizations to contribute a cultural showcase at COY21 — the 21st Conference of Children and Youth on Climate Change — taking place in Antalya, Türkiye. COY21 is organized by YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and is scheduled to take place in Antalya from November 5–7, 2026, immediately before the UNFCCC COP31 summit. 

The cultural programme itself runs under the theme "One Planet, Many Cultures, Shared Future." It aims to recognize the importance of cultural diversity, creative expression and intercultural collaboration in advancing meaningful climate action. In practice, this means music, dance, storytelling, craft, and heritage displays — the kind of programming captured in the flyer's imagery of instruments, masks, and traditional dress — woven into the wider climate conference. 

Who Is It For?

The programme is designed as an inclusive space for young climate leaders, Indigenous representatives, artists, cultural organizations and youth-led initiatives from different backgrounds. If you make or lead cultural work — traditional performance, visual art, fashion, food, oral history — and want to connect that work to climate advocacy on an international stage, this is built for you. 

Local Turkish youth organizations including the Social Climate Association Coalition, Youth Climate Envoys Platform and Habitat Association are supporting the programme, alongside co-hosts from Australia, giving it a genuinely cross-cultural spread of participants.

Why It Matters

The theme recognizes that people around the world hold different cultures, histories and traditions while sharing a common dependence on the planet's ecosystems and resources. Rather than confining climate advocacy to policy panels, the programme lets participants communicate climate realities through the creative and cultural forms their communities already use.  

Key Details

•Event: COY21 – Conference of Children and Youth on Climate Change

•Cultural Programme Theme: "One Planet, Many Cultures, Shared Future"

•Location: Antalya, Türkiye

•Conference Dates: November 5–7, 2026

•Application Deadline: 20 September 2026

•Organizer: YOUNGO (UNFCCC youth constituency)

How to Apply

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBB1P0nqfef0TzeiUeVeuiHyHzs-XGZ6D4eHGujFnzSy7MQw/viewform

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World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2027 — Applications Ope

 World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2027 — Applications Open

The Young Professionals Program is the World Bank Group's flagship leadership development initiative for outstanding early-career talent passionate about global development. It's a fast-track into a career across the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA — combining hands-on project work, global rotations, mentorship from senior leadership, and structured leadership training.

Selected candidates get:

•A 2-year term appointment (GF-level), which can lead to a 5-year renewable contract based on performance

•Three mandatory 8-month rotations — one in your core area of expertise, one cross-institutional, and at least one based in a country office

•Exposure to real development challenges across regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, South Asia, and Latin America

•Tailored coaching, mentorship, and access to WBG's senior leadership

Who it's for:

This is for early-career professionals who already have some traction and are ready to level up. You need:

•A master's degree or higher in a relevant field, completed before September 2027

•2–6 years of relevant professional experience (doctoral study can count toward this)

•Excellent spoken and written English (extra languages are a plus)

•Nationality from a World Bank Group member country

•You must NOT currently be an active WBG staff member or independent contractor

•There's no age limit — eligibility is purely experience-based. Candidates apply under one of several streams (Investment, Education, Health, Climate, Agriculture, Digital Transformation, Legal, and more), matched to their background.

Deadline for submission:

📅 September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM UTC — no late applications accepted, and no extensions.

Timeline after that:

-Longlist review: October 1–15, 2026

-Assessments & virtual interviews: October 15–31, 2026

-Panel interviews & assessment centers: December 2026 (Washington DC/Nairobi) or January 2027 (Paris/Bangkok)

-Final offers: Late January–early February 2027

New cohort starts: September 2027, Washington, DC

Documents you'll need ready:

•CV/Resume (1 page ideal, 2-page max)

•Passport photo page (confirming birth date and nationality)

•Academic transcripts or enrollment letters

•Two written statements (up to 400 words each) on your motivation and stream-specific fit

Application link:

👉 https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/17/home?c=worldbankgroup

More program details: worldbank.org/ypp

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 Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP) 2027 — Fully Funded Master's Opportunity for Nigerians

If you have been dreaming of a master's degree in Europe that comes with full funding, and you have a background in social sciences or humanities, then you need to pay attention to this one. The Mundus MAPP application for the 2027–2029 cohort is officially open, and it is one of those rare programmes where being Nigerian actually works in your favour.

What Is Mundus MAPP?

Mundus MAPP (Erasmus Mundus Masters Program in Public Policy) is a two-year joint master's degree delivered by four top European universities working together as one consortium:

-Central European University (CEU) — Austria

-International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam — The Netherlands

-Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI) — Spain

-University of York — United Kingdom

The programme is funded under the European Union's Erasmus+ scheme (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree, EMJM), and it trains students to understand how policies, institutions, and political processes work — from the local level all the way to global governance.

Students don't just sit in one country for two years. Mundus MAPP is built on "mobility tracks," meaning you study in two different countries across the programme, picking one of these four track combinations:

•CEU–IBEI (Global Public Policy)

•CEU–York (European Public Policy)

•ISS–IBEI (Political Economy and Development)

•ISS–York (Governance and Development)

You can only apply to one track, and note: you're only eligible for a track if you're not currently resident in either of the two countries involved in it.

Who Is This For?

This programme is for you if:

You hold a Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years of study) with at least an Upper Second Class (2.1) or equivalent, and a GPA of roughly 3.17/4.0 or above.

Your first degree is in the social sciences or humanities — candidates from Natural Sciences or Engineering backgrounds are not eligible.

You're genuinely interested in public policy, governance, or international development, and can express this convincingly in a statement of purpose.

Relevant work experience is a bonus, though not compulsory.

Good news for Nigerians: Mundus MAPP officially waives the English language test requirement for applicants who are Nigerian citizens and completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree taught entirely in English — no IELTS or TOEFL needed in that case. If your degree wasn't taught in English, you'll need one of the accepted test scores (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, or Cambridge C1/C2).

Funding

This is the part that makes the programme worth the effort. Successful applicants can be considered for the Erasmus Mundus (EMJM) scholarship, which is designed to cover tuition, a living allowance, and travel/installation costs for the two years. There's no separate scholarship application — you simply indicate on the main application form that you'd like to considered.

Deadlines to Know👇🏼🛞😅

This is important, so read carefully — there isn't just one deadline:

December 1, 2026 (23:59 CET) — Deadline to be considered for the EMJM scholarship, and also the deadline for early self-funded applications. This is the one on the flyer, and it's the one most Nigerian applicants going for funding should aim for.

April 15, 2027 — Later deadline, but only for self-funded, non-EU/EEA applicants who don't need scholarship consideration.

July 1, 2027 — Later deadline for self-funded EU/EEA residents.

If you want the scholarship, December 1, 2026 is your real deadline. Don't wait for the later dates.

How to Apply

Applications are centrally handled by CEU — you cannot apply through any other university in the consortium. You'll fill an online application form and upload supporting documents (transcripts, statement of purpose, references, and language test scores where required).

👉 Start your application here: https://bit.ly/4wPCvMB

Note: Programme details, GPA conversion, and required documents can be updated by the consortium from time to time — always cross-check the fine print on the official Mundus MAPP admissions pages before you submit.

Ganarious Blog brings you opportunities like this every week — grants, fellowships, and programmes for Nigerian and African go-getters. Follow along so you never miss a deadline.

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 Global Town Hall 2026: Free Global Virtual Summit — Register Before Tomorrow!

If you've been searching for a free international opportunity to sit (virtually) with world leaders, ministers, and top global thinkers — this is it. The Global Town Hall 2026 (#GTH2026) is happening tomorrow, Saturday 19 September 2026, and registration is still open. But you need to move fast.

What is Global Town Hall 2026?

Global Town Hall is an annual global dialogue marathon organized by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), in partnership with the Nigeria Youth SDGs Network (NGYouthSDGs) and other civil society groups, universities and think tanks around the world. Since its launch in 2020, it has grown into one of the most inclusive international policy forums of its kind, having drawn over 50,000 participants from more than 160 countries, including heads of state, foreign ministers, UN officials, civil society leaders, academics, and youth representatives. 

This year's theme is "Calling for a Global U-Turn: Recentering Development, Reclaiming Humanity, Restoring Justice in a Crazi(er) World." The organizers say this theme reflects growing concern that the world is drifting from the principles that have kept global peace and cooperation alive — rising conflicts, weakened international law, and slowing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals — and that civil society now has a bigger role to play in pushing for change. 

Big-name speakers confirmed include the President of Timor-Leste (a Nobel Peace Prize laureate), the Prime Minister of Ireland, Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Iran's Foreign Minister, and senior voices from OpenAI, the UN, and several African and Asian institutions — discussing sessions like:

The State of the World 2026 & the Next World Order

AI and Technology: How Far Should We Let AI Go?

Development & the SDGs

North–South Dialogue and Cooperation

A special session on Palestine

Who Is It For?

This event is open to everyone, everywhere — there's no restriction by country, profession, or academic background. It's designed for:

- Youth and students interested in global affairs, diplomacy, and SDGs

- Entrepreneurs and civil society leaders (like our own Arewa women-in-business community)

- NGO workers, policy enthusiasts, and researchers

- Anyone simply curious about how AI, justice, and development are shaping the world

Nigeria eligibility: Yes — fully open. Since it's virtual and global, there's no country restriction. Nigerians (and Africans generally) can register and attend from home, office, or on your phone.

Deadline

This is the urgent part: the event itself is Saturday, 19 September 2026, running from about 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM (GMT+7, Indonesia time) — which converts to roughly 3:30 AM to 2:30 PM Nigerian time (WAT). There's no separate "application deadline" — registration simply closes once the event starts, so you must register today or before the sessions begin tomorrow morning.

Note: exact start times for individual sessions may shift slightly on the day — always confirm on the official site before the event.

Free E-Certificate

Participants who watch the livestream get a free e-certificate — a nice addition to your CV or LinkedIn if you're building a career in policy, development, or international affairs.

Application Link

👉 Register here: https://www.globaltownhall.id/

Click "Register GTH 2026" on the homepage to secure your spot for the livestream.

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Harambeans Africa Jobs Fund Prize 2026: $20,000 Grant Open to Nigerian Entrepreneurs

 Harambeans Africa Jobs Fund Prize 2026: $20,000 Grant

If you have been dreaming of building a business that does not just serve your local market, but one that can compete and sell to the whole world, this opportunity was made for you. The Harambeans Africa Jobs Fund Prize is offering $20,000 in grant funding to one exceptional African entrepreneur, plus a possible pathway to up to $1,000,000 in follow-on investment. And yes, Nigerians are eligible.

What Is the Harambeans Africa Jobs Fund Prize?

This is a partnership between the Africa Jobs Fund (AJF), a fund of Renaissance Philanthropy, and Harambeans, a respected pan-African alliance of over 400 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $2 billion.

The Prize is looking for African founders building export manufacturing businesses — that is, businesses that make things in Africa and sell them to the world, not just within the local market. Think:

•Light manufacturing – furniture, leather goods, apparel

•Agriculture & agro-processing – turning raw farm produce into higher-value products for export

•Consumer products – African-made goods with global brand potential

•Industrial products & components – adhesives, vehicle parts, joinery, and similar

•Export enablers – cold chain, logistics, certification, and other infrastructure that makes exporting possible

•Any other business where Africa has a real cost, talent, or resource advantage

•The Prize is not just about giving out money. Winning also comes with admission into the Harambeans Alliance, giving the winner access to a community of top African entrepreneurs, mentorship, partnerships, and long-term capital relationships.

There is also a clear funding ladder beyond the initial $20,000:

Stage

Amount

Purpose

1. Win the Prize (Grant)

$20,000

Start building or push an early-stage venture forward

2. Test It (Investment)

Up to $100,000

Validate the market, build a prototype, get a first customer

3. Scale It (Investment)

$100,000 – $1,000,000

Scale-up funding (debt or revenue-based financing)

Who Is It For? (Are Nigerians Eligible?)

Yes, Nigerians are fully eligible. The Prize is open to:

- Anyone born in an African country (this includes Nigeria), or

- Anyone of African descent (Nigerians in the diaspora are welcome too)

- You do not need a fully registered company or a polished business plan to apply. You may:

Already have an early-stage venture

Have a strong business idea but no company registered yet

Have spotted an opportunity you believe others have overlooked

Be planning to return to Nigeria/Africa to build, have already returned, or never left at all

Be actively building and simply need the right capital and network to take the next step

There is also a special note for the diaspora: if you have built a career abroad and are wondering how to bring that experience home to build something real, this Prize is designed with you in mind too.

Note: this is a highly selective opportunity. Harambeans typically selects around 30 entrepreneurs out of roughly 5,000 applicants a year, so a strong, honest, well-thought-out application matters more than a fancy pitch deck.

Deadlines to Note

Date

Milestone

September 30, 2026

Early Application Deadline

October 14, 2026

Regular (final) Application Deadline

November 12, 2026

Winner announced at the Harambeans Session, British Parliament, London

April 27–30, 2027

Winner inducted into the 20th class of Harambeans (MIT, Harvard, Bretton Woods)

If you can, aim for the early deadline of September 30, 2026 rather than waiting till October 14.

How to Apply

You can apply directly through the official application link below. When filling the form, make sure you select "Africa Jobs Fund Prize" as the opportunity you are applying for.

👉 Apply using the link below 

 https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/tKBB4D

For more background on the Prize and the Africa Jobs Fund itself, you can also visit the official page: africajobsfund.com/opportunities/harambeans-prize

For Nigerian entrepreneurs building in manufacturing, agro-processing, fashion production, or any export-focused business, this is one of the more serious opportunities on the calendar this quarter — not just for the $20,000 cheque, but for the door it opens into a global network and a real pathway to bigger funding. If your business idea fits the export manufacturing mould, do not sleep on this one.

Deadline: October 14, 2026 (early deadline: September 30, 2026). Apply now and share this with a founder who needs to see it.

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 Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton Season 8: How Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs Can Apply for the Access Bank/IFC Mini-MBA and Business Grants

If you are a woman running a registered business in Nigeria and you have been praying for the kind of push that combines free world-class training with real money, Season 8 of the Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton is one you should not scroll past.

Access Bank, through its W Initiative, has just launched the eighth season of this programme in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The season 8 edition comes with a ₦7 million grant to help accelerate women-owned businesses, on top of a fully funded, IFC-certified Mini-MBA.

What Is the Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton All About?

The Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton is Access Bank's flagship women-in-business programme, and it has been running since 2019. This season, 120 women business owners will go through a three-week Mini-MBA training beginning in November 2026, delivered in partnership with the IFC. The goal is simple: give women entrepreneurs the business management skills, funding access, and mentorship they need to build stronger, more scalable businesses.

According to Access Bank's leadership, this is not a small pilot — the programme has now supported more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs across 10 African countries since it began, and past participants have gone on to win national recognition, including the Nigeria MSME Awards.

The Season 8 process follows the familiar six-step structure Access Bank has used before:

•Apply online with your personal and business details.

•Top applicants submit a one-minute video pitch about their business.

•Top 120 applicants get enrolled in the IFC-certified Mini-MBA programme.

•Participants pitch their businesses before a panel of judges.

•Top 20 participants are selected to receive business grants.

•Selection is competitive and based on the published eligibility and selection criteria.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Based on the official flyer and Access Bank's published criteria for this season, you should apply if you:

•Are a woman, aged 18–55 years

•Own and manage a business in Nigeria

•Hold at least 50% shareholding in the business

•Have operated the business for more than 1 year

•Hold an Access Bank Individual or Business Account

•Have a business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)

•Operate in any business sector (Agriculture, Fashion, Health, Tourism, Education, ICT, Manufacturing, and more have all featured in past seasons)

•If you don't already have an Access Bank account, you can open one as part of preparing your application — this is a firm requirement, not optional.

What Do You Stand to Win?

- A fully funded, IFC-certified Mini-MBA (three weeks of intensive training)

- A share of the ₦7 million grant pool for this season, with the top winner receiving the major grant and 19 other beneficiaries also receiving financial support

- Mentorship, business coaching, and access to a growing network of women entrepreneurs across Africa

- Exposure through Access Bank's #BuiltByHer campaign

When Is the Deadline?

This is where you need to move fast rather than wait. The Mini-MBA training is scheduled to begin in November 2026, which means the application window will close well before then — likely within the next few weeks. Access Bank has not published an exact closing date in the announcements seen so far, so the safest move is to apply as soon as possible rather than wait for a "final deadline" reminder, since previous seasons have closed applications with little notice once a strong number of entries came in.

(We'll update this post the moment an official closing date is confirmed — bookmark this page or follow @GanariousConsults on Instagram for the update.)

How to Apply

•Visit the official application portal: www.womenpreneur.thewcommunity.com

•Fill in your personal and business details accurately.

•Submit your application before the window closes.

•If shortlisted, prepare your one-minute video pitch — make it clear, confident, and specific about the problem your business solves.

Final Word from Ganarious

For our Arewa women and women-led businesses across Nigeria building anything from fashion to agro-processing to tech, this is exactly the kind of opportunity that changes trajectory — free training from a world-class partner, mentorship, and real grant money, with no cost to apply. If you meet the criteria, don't sit on this one.

Got questions about how to position your business for this pitch, or want a second pair of eyes on your application? Reach out to Ganarious Consults on Instagram (@GanariousConsults).

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 How to Make Money With AI in 2026 (Without Falling for the Hype)

Open Facebook or TikTok right now and you'll see it everywhere: creators flashing screenshots of "six-figure," "seven-figure," even nine-figure income "as an AI creator." Comment sections are on fire — people arguing whether to pause a business that's already doing well, or a graphic design job that's already paying, just to "follow AI." Hundreds of reactions. Dozens of comments. Everyone asking the same question: is this AI money thing actually real, or is it just the next hype cycle?

If you've been Googling "how to make money with AI," you've probably landed on a dozen posts like that — big numbers, no explanation, no system. This post is the opposite of that. No screenshots of impossible income. Just the honest version of what's actually happening, and what it takes to get a real result from it.

Why AI Income Is Suddenly Everywhere

Here's what's true: AI has genuinely opened a new lane of income that didn't exist two years ago. Brands need constant, fresh, believable video content — product demos, testimonial-style clips, ad concepts — and AI tools now let one person do in a day what used to take a small production team a week. That part is real. Businesses are paying for this. Beauty sellers, food spots, fashion brands, e-commerce stores, schools — all of them need this content, and most of them still don't know where to find people who can make it well.

What's also true: a lot of what's circulating online right now is hype, not strategy. Big numbers with no receipts. Screenshots designed to make you feel behind, not to teach you anything. That's not how sustainable AI income actually gets built — and chasing the noise instead of the skill is exactly how people burn a month "trying AI" and quit with nothing to show for it.

So How Do You Actually Make Money With AI?

Strip away the hype and it comes down to one thing: AI UGC — AI-generated content made to look and feel like real, relatable content brands can use in their ads and pages. And the people making real, repeatable income from it aren't doing it by luck. They're doing it with a system:

1. Pick one buyer category — beauty, fashion, food, education, or e-commerce — instead of trying to serve everyone.

2. Learn to direct AI, not just prompt it. The difference between content that gets ignored and content that gets a "wow" is direction: customer, angle, scenes, hand-off.

3. Build honest proof before you have a client. A handful of clearly labelled sample videos does more for you than any income screenshot ever will.

4. Package a small, specific offer. Not "I do AI content" — "two product-demo videos with captions, one revision, five-day delivery."

5. Pitch consistently and track your outreach. Real income comes from repetition, not virality.

6. This is a skill you build, not a lottery ticket you buy into. And it's exactly why the loudest voices online rarely show their actual process — because the process isn't flashy, it's just consistent.

Built for Real People, Not Screenshots

If you're in Nigeria or anywhere in Africa reading this, here's the part that actually matters for you: this opportunity doesn't require pretending you're somewhere you're not. Internet and social media use keeps climbing across the continent, AI adoption is already high, and most small businesses here still don't have consistent content. That gap is wide open — and it rewards people who show up with a real skill, not a screenshot.

Learn the Actual System — Not the Hype

If you're tired of scrolling past income claims with no explanation and actually want to learn how to make money with AI the real way, Aisha Muhammad Gana has put the full, honest system into one practical playbook:

AI UGC TO INCOME: Create. Get Seen. Get Paid.

Inside, you'll get the complete C.A.S.H. Director System, 15 AI UGC formats brands already pay for, prompt templates, pitch scripts, a pricing calculator, a 30-day income tracker, and a full bonus vault — built specifically for beginners starting from zero, no big following required.

👉Get Your Copy On Selar Today  and start your 30-Day AI UGC Income Challenge this week.

👉 Follow @GanariousConsults on Instagram for tips and the link.

No hype. No screenshots. Just a system that actually works — and proof you can show a real buyer.

Start small. Build proof. Get seen. Get paid.

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PitchStar Kano Cohort Application Is Now Open

 PitchStar Kano Cohort Application Is Now Open — Here's Everything Kano Founders Need to Know

If you are building a startup in Kano and you have been waiting for the right platform to sharpen your idea and get in front of the right people, this is it. Startup Kano — Center for Innovation Development, in partnership with PitchStar, has just opened applications for its Kano cohort, and here is a full breakdown of what it is, who it is for, and how to apply.

What Is PitchStar?

PitchStar is an incubation programme by Startup Kano, built specifically to nurture startups in Northern Nigeria. The mission is simple but powerful: help idea-stage and early-stage founders create, innovate, and build viable, scalable, and profitable solutions that the region's ecosystem actually needs.

Startup Kano describes its bigger vision as positioning Northern Nigeria as a leading hub for technology-driven entrepreneurship, and PitchStar is one of the key tools for getting there. The programme's objective for this cycle is to support up to 200 idea-stage startups across Northern Nigeria with mentorship, training, and startup development resources, while also strengthening collaboration between innovation hubs in the region.

Startups who go through PitchStar don't just get training — they get help with:

•Business research and development

•Product conceptualization

•Pitching and storytelling

•Goal setting

•Mentorship and networking with industry experts, mentors, and investors

How the Programme Works

PitchStar runs in five clear stages:

•Application & Selection (2 weeks) — Startups apply through the online portal. Selection is based on innovation potential, market relevance, and the founder's commitment.

•PitchStar Bootcamp (4–6 weeks) — Intensive training covering business model development, market research, financial literacy, branding and storytelling, and pitch development.

•Mentorship & Product Development (6–8 weeks) — One-on-one guidance from mentors and ecosystem experts to refine the product, validate the market, and build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

•Demo Day — Startups pitch their ideas and MVPs directly to investors, ecosystem partners, and industry experts, opening doors to networking and possible funding.

•PitchStar Alumni Network — Graduates join an alumni community with continued mentorship, networking, and access to partner programmes and funding opportunities.

Who Should Apply

This cohort is specifically for the Kano ecosystem, and eligible startups should:

•Be idea-stage or early-stage (less than 2 years old)

•Have at least one committed founder

•Be operating within innovation-driven sectors

•Be based in, or solving problems relevant to, Northern Nigeria

PitchStar particularly welcomes startups working in:

•Fintech

•Health-tech

•Clean-tech

•Education

•Logistics

•Media

Country/State eligibility: Nigeria — specifically founders in or solving problems for Kano and the wider Northern Nigeria region.

Deadline

October 4th, 2026

Don't wait until the last few days — a strong application takes time to put together, especially if you'll need to explain your idea, your market, and your team clearly.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the official PitchStar link below:

👉 Apply here: https://bit.ly/startupkano-pitchstar

You can also scan the QR code on the official flyer to go straight to the application form.

Final Word

For founders in Kano sitting on an idea that hasn't quite found its structure yet, PitchStar is exactly the kind of runway that turns "I have an idea" into "I have a business." With mentorship, a full bootcamp, product development support, and a Demo Day in front of real investors, this is a solid opportunity to take seriously before October 4th.

Follow Startup Kano on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn (@startupkano) for updates on this and future cohorts.

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