[JANUARY 2026]
Stay ahead in 2026 by exploring newly launched opportunities across South Africa. This listing highlights fresh programs, funding calls, and initiatives designed to support innovation, growth, and development in the year ahead.
Call for Applications: Asset Assist Program
Deadline: January 09, 2026
The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has relaunched its Asset Assist Programme, providing much-needed support to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across South Africa…[more]
CFAs: Domestic Market Access Support Programme
Deadline: January 16, 2026
The Department of Tourism, through the Domestic Market Access Support Programme (DMASP), is calling dynamic, innovative, and diverse small tourism enterprises to join the Department’s MASP supported enterprises Pavillion at the WTM Africa 2026…[more]
Applications open for the Climate Finance Accelerator
Deadline: February 06, 2026
The National Business Initiative is a global technical assistance programme funded by the UK government, which is seeking applications for its programme to support high-potential climate businesses and projects in South Africa to access finance…[more]
Call for Proposals: ABIPP Biosecurity Innovation Projects
Deadline Date: January 23, 2026
The Agricultural Bio-Innovation Partnership Programme, led by South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency, offers funding to strengthen biosecurity, food security, and agricultural resilience. It supports innovative projects across the bio-economy, focusing on animal and plant disease control, digital biosecurity solutions, and technology transfer for outbreak resilience. Eligible South African organizations can access funding to develop, commercialize, and implement high-impact agricultural innovations…[more]
Submissions open for Waste Innovation Challenge
Deadline: January 27, 2026
The Waste Innovation Challenge is a South Africa–focused innovation and entrepreneurship programme for university students and alumni aged 18–35, aimed at developing sustainable, commercially viable waste management solutions. The programme empowers 400 participants through training, mentorship, and business development support, with top innovators competing for a shared prize pool of R255,000…[more]
Mzansi Golden Economy Funding for Cultural and Creative Industries
Deadline: January 30, 2026
The Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) Grant is a South African government funding programme supporting arts, culture, and heritage projects that drive job creation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Administered by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the programme funds large- and medium-scale cultural projects and international touring initiatives that strengthen the creative economy…[more]
RFAs: My Journey Adolescent and Young People Grant Program
Deadline: January 15, 2026
NACOSA invites experienced non-profit organizations to apply as Sub-Recipients for a performance-based grant under the My Journey national programme, delivering biomedical and integrated services to adolescents and young people aged 15–24. The initiative focuses on HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and overall wellbeing, with a goal of reaching 384,284 adolescent girls and young women across South Africa from October 2025 to March 2028. Sub-recipients must demonstrate experience in youth-focused programs, sound governance, and capacity to meet performance targets…[more]
DSAC Bursaries for Heritage Related Studies including International Studies
Deadline: January 31, 2026
The South African Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Heritage Bursary 2026 supports eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing accredited heritage-related studies. The bursary covers tuition, books, accommodation, meals, transport, and limited device support, with applications closing on 31 January 2026. Only South African citizens meeting strict academic, income, and field-of-study criteria will be considered…[more]
Grant Assistance for Grass Roots Human Security Projects Program
Deadline : March 06, 2026
The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) provides up to ZAR 2,000,000 in funding for small-scale, community-led development projects that address urgent basic needs. The program supports registered non-profit organisations with at least three years of relevant experience, focusing on education, health, social welfare, agriculture and essential public infrastructure. It aims to deliver direct, tangible benefits that enhance human security and improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations…[more]
South Africa and Cuba Biotechnology Collaboration Call for Joint Development and Technology Transfer
Deadline: January 30, 2026
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) of South Africa and BioCubaFarma of Cuba have jointly announced a call for Expressions of Interest to promote biotechnology collaboration, technology transfer, joint development, and commercialization between entities in South Africa and Cuba, aiming to leverage innovative biotech products to address health challenges and enhance global market reach…[more]
CPFs: Financial Support to Third Parties component of the CARPET Project
Deadline: January 05, 2026
This funding call supports grassroots civil society organisations (CSOs) in Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, and South Africa to advance rights-based, community-driven transitions to green and equitable economies. Eight CSOs will receive up to EUR 87,500 each for 18-month projects focusing on corporate accountability, human rights, and policy transformation. The program strengthens resilience, access to remedy, and local advocacy for structural change…[more]
RFAs: Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship Program
Deadline: January 16, 2026
The Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship Program provides support for topics related to Peacebuilding, Governance, and Developmental Dynamics…[more]
Open Call for Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Fellowship Program
Deadline: January 16, 2026
The Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Fellowship Program provides support to PhD students working on developing a doctoral dissertation proposal, as well as students who have recently completed a master’s degree and seek to enroll in a PhD program…[more]
Call for Proposals: Identification of Children for HIV Treatment
Deadline: January 30, 2026
Aidsfonds has launched a major funding call to support national community-based organizations in identifying children and adolescents aged 0–14 living with HIV across Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Nigeria. The programme focuses on evidence-based interventions that improve early identification, linkage to antiretroviral treatment and long-term retention in care. A total of EUR 2,775,000 is available for catalytic, data-driven paediatric HIV initiatives running from April 2026 to December 2028…[more]
Rise Up Together launches Leadership and Advocacy Program
Deadline:January 15,2026
Rise Up Together’s 2026 Leadership and Advocacy Program in South Africa empowers emerging leaders from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to drive gender equity and social justice through a four-week hybrid accelerator. Participants gain advocacy skills, access a six-day residential training, and may apply for seed funding of up to $17,000 to implement community projects. The program offers mentorship, strategic guidance, and connection to a global network of social justice leaders…[more]
Call for Funding: Working Groups Programme
Deadline: January 29, 2026
The NIHSS Working Groups Programme offers South African academics in Humanities and Social Sciences funding of up to R100,000 to support research, collaboration, and scholarly outputs across ten thematic areas, including digital humanities, climate, arts, indigenous languages, and societal transformation. The programme prioritizes innovative methodologies, postgraduate capacity building, and the dissemination of research locally and internationally…[more]
Call for Proposals: Bioindustries Funding Program
Deadline : January 23, 2026
Are you building the future of the bioeconomy? The Innovation Hub Management Company (TIHMC), in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) through SIIP, invites high-potential bioeconomy startups to apply for funding under the Start-Up Support Programme (SSP)…[more]
