CALL FOR SUBMISSION: AFRICAN UNION INNOVATING EDUCATION IN AFRICA 2025 (CASH GRANTS UP TO 150,000 USD)

Applications Open: 2025 African Union Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) Programme

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 2025 Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Proven Implementation: The innovation must already be operational in one or more African Union (AU) Member States, with measurable and verifiable outcomes that demonstrate its effectiveness.
• Innovative Approach: The solution must offer a product or service that takes a distinct and context-specific approach to addressing educational challenges in Africa.
• Legal Registration: The applying organization must be legally registered and licensed to operate within an AU Member State.
• Direct Responsibility: Only organizations that are directly managing and implementing the innovation may apply. Intermediaries or organizations applying on behalf of others will not be considered.

Note: Each organization may submit only one innovation. Multiple submissions will result in automatic disqualification. Previous recipients of IEA grant funding are not eligible to apply.

Benefits for Selected Applicants

Successful applicants may receive one or more of the following benefits:

• Grant Funding: Up to USD 50,000 will be awarded to three winners to support the integration of their innovations within public education systems and to collect further evidence of effectiveness.
• Continental Recognition: Selected innovations will be featured in the Africa Education Innovations Handbook 2025, which is shared widely among AU Member States and development partners.
• Official Recognition: Winners will receive a certificate of recognition from the AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The African Union (AU) is now inviting applications for the 2025 edition of the Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) Programme. This initiative seeks to identify, support, and scale practical, sustainable, and impactful solutions that address persistent challenges in education and training across the continent.

Since its establishment, the programme has engaged more than 1,500 education stakeholders, highlighted over 180 educational innovations, and provided up to USD 1 million in both technical and financial support to help integrate exceptional solutions into public education systems.

About the IEA Programme

The IEA programme aims to harness the power of innovation to transform Africa’s education sector by encouraging the development and widespread adoption of context-relevant, homegrown solutions. It is a platform to mobilize and connect African innovators working to reshape how education and skills development challenges are addressed.

Programme Goals

The 2025 Call focuses on:

• Motivating innovators to identify critical challenges in education and skills development across Africa
• Sourcing and scaling up innovative solutions that are adaptable and replicable across different regions
• Promoting collaborative partnerships among innovators, governments, educational institutions, and key stakeholders to foster systemic change

Call for Innovations

The AU is looking for practical, tested, and scalable education innovations that show potential for replication and long-term sustainability. The programme specifically seeks solutions that can be integrated into public education systems and contribute meaningfully to improving access, quality, and outcomes in education.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit their proposals online in either English or French. The application must include the following components:

1. Problem Statement
   A concise explanation (up to 100 words) of the specific education or training challenge your innovation addresses.
2. Innovation Description
   A detailed overview (not exceeding 500 words) describing how the innovation works, its implementation strategy, and the business or sustainability model behind it.
3. Impact Report
   A summary (up to 500 words) outlining the outcomes and results achieved so far through the innovation.
4. Supporting Documentation
   Valid proof of the organization’s business registration and operating license within an AU Member State.

Applications must be submitted through the official online portal provided by the  African Union 

Click here to apply