Application Deadline

Application Deadline: 8 September 2026 at 4.00pm UCT+1

About the Prize

The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to engineering innovation. The Prize awards commercialisation support to African innovators developing scalable engineering solutions to local challenges. These innovations show the importance of engineering in improving quality of life and economic development.

Applicant Requirements

• Applicants can apply as an individual or on behalf of a team.
• The applicant must be a citizen of a country in sub-Saharan Africa*. For teams of two or more, the lead applicant (the person participating in training) must be a citizen of a country in sub-Saharan Africa*.
• The applicant must be ordinarily based in*; if based overseas, this must be temporary for studies or otherwise.
• The applicant must be over the age of 18 when applications close. There is no upper age limit.
• The applicant must have a high level of English proficiency, which will allow them to fully participate in the entire programme. The application must be written in English.
• The applicant cannot be an alumni of the Africa Prize or part of the same team, business or innovation that has been through the Prize.
• Industrial researchers and establishments are not eligible.
• Alumni of the Academy’s Advance programme or alumni of the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship (LIF) programme who participated after June 2024 are not eligible to apply to the Africa Prize. LIF alumni who participated in the LIF programme before June 2024 may be eligible if they can evidence through their application why participation in the Africa Prize is necessary and/or will add value to them and their business.

Benefits

The Africa Prize offers a unique benefits package for up to 16 shortlisted participants to help accelerate their business including:

• Eight month tailored training programme.
• Two fully-funded training weeks: one in the UK and one in a major African city.
• Access to business and technical expertise and sector-specific engineering mentoring.
• Bespoke press coverage and communications support.
• Access to the Academy’s network of high-profile engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
• The opportunity for finalists to present their innovation to a judging panel at the Africa Prize showcase event.
• Prize money of up to £50,000.

Application Process

The Africa Prize follows a two-stage application process. The first stage is open to all eligible applicants, while only longlisted innovations are invited to submit the second stage of their application.

Application Timeline

1. Stage 1 – Technical Assessment: Covers eligibility criteria and technical innovation details, allowing technical reviewers to assess feasibility, innovation potential, and engineering merit.
   • Stage 1 applications close on Tuesday 8 September at 16:00 UTC+1
   • Applications checked for eligibility following submission deadline
   • Reviewed by technical experts in September 2026
2. Stage 2 – Business Assessment: Covers business elements such as financial projections, market analysis, and strategy.
   • Long-listed applicants will be invited to complete Stage 2 in October 2026
   • Shortlist selected by judging panel by December 2026
   • All applicants notified of outcome by the January 2027