the ACT Foundation 2026 Grant Cycle,
Non-profit organizations and social enterprises across Africa can now apply for the ACT Foundation 2026 Grant Cycle, as the Foundation opens its annual call for proposals focused on health and entrepreneurship.
The application window opened on 19 January 2026 and will close on 30 January 2026 at 11:59 pm (WAT).
The grant programme is open to eligible organizations operating anywhere on the continent, provided they meet the Foundation’s criteria.
ACT Foundation says the grants are aimed at supporting scalable, high-impact interventions that strengthen communities and respond to social, economic and environmental challenges.
The Foundation also emphasizes partnership, encouraging collaboration with other institutions and donor organizations where possible.
Priority Areas for 2026
Under the health pillar, ACT Foundation is targeting interventions that respond to Africa’s ongoing public health challenges, including maternal and child health and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Supported initiatives may include community health screenings, referral programmes, and health education campaigns focused on prevention, early detection and access to care.
Eligible health interventions include screening and referral programmes for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, cancers, and eye health, as well as community-based maternal and child health activities, including health education, safe delivery support, and malaria prevention in pregnancy.
In entrepreneurship, the 2026 strategy focuses on youth-led and female-led initiatives that create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, and support economic inclusion.
ACT Foundation will consider proposals linked to vocational and digital skills, access to finance, financial literacy, and community-based enterprise development.
The Foundation will also support projects related to climate action and environmental sustainability, including waste management, recycling, and waste-to-wealth initiatives, as well as micro-farming and sustainable agriculture interventions.
Who Is Eligible
Organizations applying for the 2026 grant must be legally registered in an African country and have been in operation for at least two years.
Applicants must be registered as a non-profit or social enterprise and demonstrate basic governance structures, including a board and management team.
Applicants are required to show evidence of previous funding, matching funds, and a minimum staff strength of three paid individuals.
The organization must be directly responsible for implementing the proposed project. Partnerships are encouraged but not mandatory.
Projects must be implemented within Africa. Proposals that intentionally include women, rural youth, children and persons with disabilities will be prioritized.
Application Process
ACT Foundation notes that it prioritizes interventions that leverage community mobilisation and technology to achieve scale, sustainability, and long-term impact.
Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit their applications within the stated timeline, as late submissions will not be considered.
Further details on eligibility requirements and the application process are available through ACT Foundation’s official grant application platform.
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