Securing funding for personal projects, small businesses, or even larger ventures can be challenging. Thankfully, there are numerous international grants available that cater to individuals, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizations globally.
These grants not only offer financial support but also provide networking opportunities and resources to grow your business or implement personal projects. Here are some of the top ongoing international grants that are worth considering in 2024.
Top Open Grants To Apply And Get Funding
You can apply for any of the following grants from any part of the world.
1. The Global Innovation Fund (GIF)
Who Can Apply: Entrepreneurs, non-profits, and social enterprises.
Grant Amount: Up to $15 million.
Deadline: Rolling applications (accepted throughout the year).
The Global Innovation Fund focuses on promoting impactful innovations that can help people in developing countries. The GIF offers risk-tolerant capital to support innovations that target social problems, be they educational, technological, or environmental. Applicants can apply for funding at different stages, whether they are in the research, testing, or scaling phase of their project.
2. Ford Foundation Grants
Who Can Apply: Non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, social enterprises.
Grant Amount: Varies based on the project.
Deadline: Rolling applications.
Ford Foundation is well-known for its commitment to social justice, human rights, and poverty alleviation. Their grants focus on initiatives that work toward inclusion, fairness, and democracy. If you’re a social enterprise or organization working on advancing rights for marginalized groups, you may be eligible for funding.
3. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Grants
Who Can Apply: Individuals, NGOs, and private sector organizations.
Grant Amount: Varies by project and region.
Deadline: Ongoing.
UNDP supports development-related projects that aim to reduce poverty, promote social inclusion, and encourage sustainable environmental practices. If you’re looking to create a project in areas like governance, climate change, or disaster management, this grant could provide significant backing.
4. The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
Who Can Apply: Women-led organizations based in Africa.
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000.
Deadline: Varies based on call for proposals.
AWDF provides financial support to organizations that focus on the rights and empowerment of African women. From health and education to leadership and economic justice, this fund supports projects that drive sustainable change across African communities. Grants are available for both small and large-scale initiatives.
5. The Cartier Women’s Initiative
Who Can Apply: Women entrepreneurs from around the world.
Grant Amount: First prize of $100,000, second prize of $60,000, and third prize of $30,000.
Deadline: Applications open annually.
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is a global initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs who are working on impactful businesses. The competition helps women overcome business challenges, access mentorship, and provides networking opportunities to scale their ventures. The initiative is open to women from any country and in any industry.
6. The European Union (EU) Horizon 2024
Who Can Apply: Researchers, institutions, and companies.
Grant Amount: Up to €100 billion (pooled for multiple projects).
Deadline: Varies depending on the call.
The Horizon program is one of the largest EU grants designed for research and innovation. It funds groundbreaking projects across industries including healthcare, tech, clean energy, and infrastructure. If you have a research-driven project, this grant can provide immense funding and resources to support its development.
7. The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Grants
Who Can Apply: Researchers, universities, and institutions from developing countries.
Grant Amount: Varies by project.
Deadline: Ongoing.
The IDRC focuses on research projects that can solve global challenges related to health, climate change, and equitable development. The grant supports innovative research and builds partnerships to address these pressing global issues. Individuals and teams from developing countries can apply.
8. Echoing Green Fellowship
Who Can Apply: Social entrepreneurs from any part of the world.
Grant Amount: Up to $90,000 over 2 years, plus mentorship and leadership development support.
Deadline: Annual applications (next cycle opens soon).
The Echoing Green Fellowship targets passionate leaders who have innovative solutions to address critical issues such as social justice, economic inequality, or climate change. It provides both financial backing and mentorship to help build sustainable solutions to pressing global problems.
9. The Open Society Foundations
Who Can Apply: Individuals and organizations working on human rights, social justice, and education initiatives.
Grant Amount: Varies depending on the project.
Deadline: Rolling applications.
The Open Society Foundations offer a variety of grants aimed at promoting human rights, justice, and open government. These grants fund individuals and organizations working on pressing social issues, including freedom of expression, gender equality, and access to education.
10. Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)
Who Can Apply: Mid-career professionals from developing countries.
Grant Amount: Full scholarship and additional project funding.
Deadline: Application windows throughout the year.
The OKP is a Dutch grant program focused on empowering professionals from developing countries. It provides scholarships for professional development and also funds business-related initiatives that improve economic and social conditions in developing regions.
How to Apply for International Grants
- Research Thoroughly: Understand the grant’s goals and tailor your project or business to meet the requirements.
- Prepare Strong Proposals: Grant applications require detailed project descriptions, budgets, and clear goals. Be specific about how the funds will be used.
- Networking and Mentorship: Some grants, like Echoing Green and Cartier Women’s Initiative, provide mentorship opportunities that can be equally as valuable as the funding.
- Apply Early: International grants often have rolling deadlines, but it’s always best to apply early to avoid missing the opportunity due to technical issues or last-minute delays.
In Summary
International grants offer individuals and businesses a valuable opportunity to scale their operations, fund research, and make a positive impact on society.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, researcher, or social enterprise, these grants can provide essential financial support and mentorship to bring your vision to life. Be sure to explore the grants above and apply for the ones that align with your mission.
Mckourage
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