african essay competition 2023

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11th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2023/2024

Theme: “ Empowering Consumers through Standardisation to achieve their rights to safe Quality Goods & Services “

University and College Students under the age of 35 years eligible to participate

10th Continental Essay Competition for the year 2022/2023 Theme: “The role of standardisation in promoting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) for sustainable, inclusive and diversified industrial and economic development in Africa” University and College Students under the age of 35 years eligible to participate

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Essay Competition Winners 2021/2022

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The 21st International Committee of the Red Cross Essay Competition for East African Universities

• The Republic of South Sudan

The confluence of climate change, environmental degradation, and armed conflict presents unique challenges to vulnerable populations, such as refugees and internally displaced persons, who are already confronted with precarious living conditions and limited access to resources and services. Armed conflict exacerbates the negative impact of climate change and environmental degradation on fragile ecosystems, heightening the vulnerability of affected populations and adversely impacting humanitarian assistance.

Critically analyse and discuss the challenges posed by the convergence of climate change, environmental degradation, and armed conflict, as well as the international humanitarian law rules, policies, and practical measures that could address these challenges.

INSTRUCTIONS

• The competition is open to all undergraduate students from East African universities.
• Essays must be typed, properly referenced, structured, and a bibliography provided.
• Essays must not exceed 4000 words (including the footnotes but excluding the bibliography).
• Any essay found to have been plagiarized will be disqualified from the competition.
• The essay and a copy of the student's identification card must be received at the ICRC Regional Delegation in Nairobi by 30 June 2023 by email ( [email protected] ).
• Late entries will not be accepted.
• The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize. There will also be awards for the first and second runners-up well as for the best essay from each participating country not represented in the top 3 winners.

ASSESSMENT GUIDE

Participants will be assessed on their logical arguments, the depth to which they develop their answers, structure, and, demonstrated knowledge of the subject matter. Each of the criteria will be awarded points as below:

CASH PRIZES

For further information please contact: International Committee of the Red Cross Communication Department, Nairobi Regional Delegation Denis Pritt Road, P.O Box 73226 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 20 2723963 Email: [email protected] www.icrc.org

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Essay Writing Competition

Posted in Education, Science & Technology

Since its inception following the directive of the 9 th Meeting of the Council of Ministers in 2004, the EAC Essay Writing Competition has been a cornerstone activity fostering intellectual engagement among secondary school students across the East African Community. Directed by the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee, and supported by the EAC Secretariat and Partner States’ Ministries of Education, this competition has emerged as a platform for nurturing young minds and promoting regional integration.

The inaugural winners of the EAC Essay Writing Competition were honored during the 6 th Summit of the EAC Heads of State in November 2004, marking the beginning of a tradition where outstanding student voices are recognized at the highest level of EAC leadership. Since then, this prestigious award has become a regular agenda item at Ordinary Summits, underscoring its significance in the EAC's educational and integration endeavors.

At the heart of the EAC Essay Writing Competition lies the opportunity for secondary school students to delve into contemporary regional developments and articulate their perspectives on how these developments impact EAC regional integration. Through essays ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 words, students express their insights in English, French, or Kiswahili, showcasing linguistic diversity and cultural richness within the EAC.

2023 Essay Writing Competition

Theme: " Promoting Development and Integration through Sports and Games "

The 2023 theme invites participants to explore the role of sports and games in advancing both development and integration within the East African Community. This timely topic encourages students to reflect on the potential of sports as a catalyst for social cohesion, economic empowerment, and cross-border collaboration, thus contributing to the overarching goals of the EAC.

As the EAC continues to foster dialogue and critical thinking among the youth in the region, secondary school students from across the EAC are invited to participate in the 2023 Essay Writing Competition. An opportunity for the voices of the youth to be heard as we collectively envision a more integrated and prosperous East Africa.

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AFRICAN LIBERTY ESSAY CONTEST

African Liberty is thrilled to announce the application call for its 2023 African Liberty essay competition. The competition is open to any African student currently enrolled in any undergraduate or graduate program at any accredited university worldwide.

Call for entry:  September 1, 2023

Deadline:  October 31, 2023

Title:  Pathways to Protecting Free Speech in Africa: Opportunities for New Approaches to an Old Problem

Word count:  800 maximum

• Entry should be in English language, with non-English words italicized.
• Entry must be original.
• Entry must be submitted as a PDF with the writer’s name and email address provided on the first page.
• No footnotes or citation
• Quotations should be limited
• Essay must be in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and justified.
• Winner: $500 cash prize
• First runner-up: $300 cash prize
• Second runner-up: $200 cash price
• Third and Fourth runners-up: $100 each.
• The top 5 entries will be published on African Liberty and Students For Liberty platforms.

Criteria to apply

• Must be of African descent by virtue of holding the nationality of an African country
• Must be enrolled in any degree program at any accredited university anywhere in the world or must have completed a degree program in no more than three years from the day of the application deadline.
• Entry must be solution-oriented
• Entry must be specific in arguments and recommendations
• Solutions with unique outlooks are strongly encouraged

Entries submission

All entries should be submitted via this link:  bit.ly/alessays2023

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African Liberty Essay Contest 2023

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Applications are open for the African Liberty Essay Contest 2023 . The competition is open to any African student currently enrolled in any undergraduate or graduate program at any accredited university worldwide. They are invited to write on the topic: Pathways to Protecting Free Speech in Africa: Opportunities for New Approaches to an Old Problem .

African Liberty was founded in 2007 as a project of the Cato Institute and IMANI Africa, thereafter the Atlas Network. It is a platform for advancing individual freedom, peace, and prosperity in Africa by promoting civil discussion and debate about social, legal, economic, and world issues affecting Africans. They identify and train young promising African freedom advocates in professional critical writing and help them kick-start careers in journalism and public policy by working with Africa-focused think tanks and partner media outlets.

• Winner: $500 cash prize
• First runner-up: $300 cash prize
• Second runner-up: $200 cash price
• Third and Fourth runners-up: $100 each.
• The top 5 entries will be published on African Liberty and Students For Liberty platforms.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be of African descent by virtue of holding the nationality of an African country;
• Must be enrolled in any degree program at any accredited university anywhere in the world or must have completed a degree program in no more than three years from the day of the application deadline.
• Entry should be in English language, with non-English words italicized
• Entry must be original
• Entry must be submitted as a PDF with the writer’s name and email address provided on the first page
• No footnotes or citation
• Quotations should be limited 
• Essay must be in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and justified

Application

Application hints:

• Entry must be solution-oriented
• Entry must be specific in arguments and recommendations
• Solutions with unique outlooks are strongly encouraged

All entries should be submitted here .

For more information, visit African Liberty Essay Contest .

Jude Ogar is an educator and youth development practitioner with years of experience working in the education and youth development space. He is passionate about the development of youth in Africa.

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international essay competition

Enter forinternational essay competitions for young africans.

Popular International Essay Competitions

• International Gio Peace/UNESCO Essay Contest for Young People

The competition is a free competition open for young writers under the age of 25. Everyone all over the world is free to enter for the contest.

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Entries are accepted from all and sundry for submission to the Fountain Essay Competition. Interested essayists should ensure uniqueness and richness of the content for chances to win the prize.

• Pensters Writing Contest

Entries are accepted for the Pensters Writing Contest open to all student writers. This is to encourage them and give them a great leg-up in their studies.

• World Bank #Blog4Dev Essay Competition

World Bank #Blog4Dev Essay Competition is open for all African youths. This is to give them an opportunity to address some of the challenges faced by Africans, while stating the solutions to such challenges.

• IAEA Essay Competition for Early Career Professionals

Students and young professionals interested in writing about nuclear power are invited to apply for the IAEA Essay Competition on Nuclear Security for students and early career professionals. Any nuclear related topic is acceptable for the competition.

• BrainReference Student Essay Scholarship

BrainReference is offering student essay scholarship to help in changing lives through education. The aim of the competition is to inspire students to work towards a future in which brain-related problems can be controlled.

The award of the scholarship is a $15,000 fund for study. Also, three additional winning students will be given $500 each.

• The Bellhops $10,000 “Moving Forward” Scholarship Contest

The contest is available to all college students all over the world who are enrolled or planning to enroll in any college or university.

The award of the contest is $10,000 given to the first winner.

• St Gallen Symposium Global Essay

Entries are accepted for the St Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition.  Entrants stand a chance to participate as a Leader of Tomorrow in the world’s premier opportunity for intergenerational debates.

See the most recent International Essay Competitions for Young Africans below

KAS/Atomic Reporters Essay Contest 2021: A Neglected Story The Legacy of Splitting the Atom

Multilateral Dialogue KAS and Atomic Reporters: A Neglected Story The Legacy of Splitting the Atom Essay call for applications. Application Deadline: 31st August 2021 About The Legacy of Splitting the Atom Essay Contest: Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation Multilateral Dialogue Vienna and Atomic Reporters are cordially inviting you to apply to join our first study programme 2021-2022 “A Neglected … Read more

Enter for Commonwealth Youth Council “My Disability Does Not Define Me” Competition 2017

To commemorate World Braille Day, the Commonwealth Youth Council launches “Unseen & Unspoken.” This is a segment of creative expression of the #iamABLE campaign through the art of poetry. Application Deadline: 31st May 2017 at 1700 GMT. Eligible Countries: All To be taken at (country): Online About the Award:  The theme of the competition is “My disability does … Read more

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UBA Foundation Launches 2023 National Essay Competition: Submission Portal for Digital Application Now Open

UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the commencement of the 2023 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC) in Nigeria, with a call for entries.

Now in its 13th year, the annual National Essay Competition is part of UBA Foundation’s education initiative aimed at promoting literacy and encouraging healthy and intellectual competition amongst senior secondary school students in Nigeria and across the African continent.

The 2023 edition promises increased participation from senior secondary school students across Nigeria as they can conveniently submit their entries from the comfort of their homes or schools through the UBA Foundation NEC digital submission portal at https://www.ubagroup.com/national-essay-competition/.

The essay topic for this year is “Will Artificial Intelligence(AI)take over Human Intelligence? what should students do to ensure AI doesn’t override but enhance their ability to learn through research?”. Students are expected to properly research, write, scan and upload their handwritten essays to the digital portal on or before October 20th, 2023.

The first prize winner will receive an educational grant of N5 million to study at any African university of their choice, whilst the second and third prizes now stand at N3 million and N2.5 million educational grants for any African University.

Also, winners of the 12 best essays, will go home with brand new Laptops and other educational tools to help them with their studies and other tertiary research work.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, said that with the digital submission portal, more students in senior secondary schools across the country now have the opportunity to scan and send in their entries and compete to win any of the educational grants for study at any university of their choice on the African continent.

She said, “We have worked hard to ensure that every Nigerian high school student who wishes to, will be able to enter for the NEC 2023 and stand a chance to win a fully funded University education through the UBA Foundation.

“For several years, we have upgraded our processes to ensure that our UBA Foundation programmes continue to impact lives in meaningful ways. We realise that the use of technologically driven initiatives is part of modern day and we would like to reach students in their comfort zones, which is why we encourage students to submit their essays digitally.”

She pointed out that the submissions will be evaluated by judges who are professors from reputable Nigerian Universities. The professors will select the top 12 finalists who will take home consolation prizes including personal computers. These 12 finalists will also write another supervised essay where the top three winners will be announced at the grand finale to be held in November at UBA’s head office in Lagos, Nigeria.

The National Essay Competition has been rolled out in other African countries where UBA operates, in order to open-up the opportunity for more African children to benefit from the educational grants.

UBA Foundation embodies the UBA Group’s CSR objectives and seeks to impact positively on societies through several laudable projects and initiatives. The Foundation through its Education pillar has donated hundreds of thousands of books to students across Africa under the ‘Read Africa’ initiative aimed at encouraging and promoting the reading culture in African youths. Its National Essay Competition has also afforded the opportunity to hundreds of students to improve their lives through higher education.

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Copyright © 2024. The Elites Nigeria

LittAfrica 2023 Writing Contest

Writing Contest Guidelines

If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, we invite you to write a letter to your generation . Ask yourself: ‘ If I had a chance to write a letter imparting hope to all the young people in Africa what would I write? ’

Selected entries will be published in an anthology and two entry winners will receive a full scholarship to the LittAfrica Publishing Conference (5 to 9 November 2023).

New! Every person submitting an entry will receive a free digital copy of the book, African Writers: A Journey in Writing , in which 11 Christian writers from 7 African nations tell how they began their journey in the ministry of the written word.

Contest Rules

Please read these carefully to ensure your entry qualifies.

Age and nationality: The contest is open to residents of African countries, between the ages of 18 and 30 (at 30 June, 2023).

Original work only: The submission must be your own writing and not be previously published in print or online.

Language of Submission: Entries can be in either English or French.

Word limit: 800 total words or less. Entries exceeding this limit will be disqualified.

Submission of entry: Send your submission by email to [email protected] .

Please follow this format:

• Subject line: Letter of Hope Contest Entry
• Initial information in body of email:
• Your name and surname
• Your date of birth
• Your country of birth
• Your country of residence (if different to country of birth) 

After this, include your Letter of Hope submission (800 words or less) in the email. Please do not send the entry as an attachment.

Confirmation of entry: MAI-Africa will reply to the sending email address within 5 days to verify that we have received your submission. There will be no further engagement or interaction unless the entry is selected for the anthology.

Deadline: Submissions close on Wednesday, 30 June, 2023 (midnight, East Africa Time).

Criteria for judging:   Contest judges will evaluate your submission on the impact and takeaway value for a reader in your generation. Creativity and the quality of your writing (such as clarity, vocabulary and style) will also be considered.

Awards: The judges’ decision will be final. Prizes are as follows:

• Selected winning entries will be published in the Letters of Hope anthology to be published by Step Publishing. The author of each selected entry will receive a copy of the printed book (* see assignment of rights below ).
• In addition, the authors of two of the winning entries (one English and one French entry) will be awarded a full scholarship to attend LittAfrica 2023, to be held in Lusaka, Zambia from 5 to 9 November 2023 (** see additional criteria below)

*Assignment of rights: If your entry is selected for the anthology , you will be required to sign an agreement with Step Publishing allowing them to publish your letter and grant Step Publishing and MAI-Africa permission to share extracts of your letter on their social media platforms. You will also need to provide a photo, short biography and proof of your age (birth certificate or passport). There are no royalty payments or remuneration to authors.

**Criteria for scholarship awardee: If the winner of the scholarship is unable to attend the conference in Zambia from 5 to 9 November 2023, a modest cash prize will be given to them in lieu of the scholarship. The full scholarship will then be granted to another writer whose letter was selected for the anthology.

The contest is not open to MAI staff, Board members and Trustees, or their immediate family members.

Click here to view these writing contest guidelines in French.

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The African Liberty Writing Fellowship program is a year-long program designed to train young Africans interested in academia, media, public policy, or any other critical-and-analytical-writing-related career, in opinion article writing. Accepted applicants will complete a five-week mandatory online course. The top thirty-five candidates from the five-week training will be admitted as African Liberty writing fellows.

We’ve helped our fellows get featured in leading African and non-Africa media outlets. We’ve highlighted some below. You may visit our Media Hits page to see what fellows published in the last four cohorts.

Some of our fellows’ publications and mentions

It was an eye-opener. The fellowship brushed up my writing and analytical skills and connected me with other young people who I hold very dearly today. The certificate, skills, and people have opened doors for me in journalism, and now, in public service — Ibraheem Abdullateef 2022, special assistant on media to Kwara State Governor, Nigeria

African Liberty Writing Fellowship gave me the first platform to write regularly and get paid with serious editorial guidance. I racked up bylines in national dailies, and that gave me a lot of visibility as a writer. The experience from this fellowship helped me secure another fellowship almost immediately — Ope Adetayo 2021, writes for Aljazeera, Vice, Foreign Policy, The Guardian

The African Liberty Writing Fellowship helped me understand the need to spot and isolate biases in writing. I also learned how to use data and statistics while maintaining a good tempo in my writing — Muhammed Akinyemi 2020, sub-editor HumAngle

The African Liberty Writing Fellowship is one of the best opportunities any young writer should aspire to join. The fellowship provides editorial support and a platform to get published in a wide range of media outlets. Being a fellow gave my writing a great boost, which continues to be of immense benefit to my professional life and academic studies   — Daniel Whyte 2020, Mphil candidate, University of Cambridge

I became an African Liberty Writing Fellow as a campus journalist and final year student of mass communication at the Lagos State University. The year-long fellowship propelled my career and brought along other opportunities — Mariam Ileyemi 2021, reporter, Premium Times

Apart from honing my writing skills, which landed me a handful of gigs in journalism, African Liberty got me into my first international conference, where I met the professor with whom I co-authored an academic paper that aided my admission into the Ph.D. program at the University of Texas at Dallas. — PhD student 2020, University of Texas at Dallas

1. Is this a paid fellowship? This is a paid fellowship. Compensation is contingent upon a monthly assessment. Please beware that we do not consider financial compensation until a fellow is inducted.

2. How competitive is the program? We received approximately 1600 applications in 2022/2023 with 50 invited to the 5-week training. We inducted 25 as writing fellows.

3. Do you accept applications for senior fellowships? No.

4. What qualifications do I need? An applicant has to be enrolled in, or must have graduated from, an African institution of higher learning. Or, be an African pursuing higher education outside the continent.

5. When does the program start and end? 5-week training starts 23 May to 20 June 2023. The writing fellowship starts on July 11, 2023, and ends on July 11, 2024.

6. Where is the program taken? The program, from the 5-week training to the last day of the writing fellowship, is done entirely online.

7. Is there an application fee? No

8. Is there an admission fee? No

9. What is SFL? It is an abbreviation for Students For Liberty; African Liberty is a project of SFL.

10. Who should I contact for questions? Please contact the editor, Ibrahim Anoba ( [email protected] )

11. When does the application close? April 30, 2023

Nigeria: 15-Year-Old Student Wins UBA Essay Competition, Receives N5 Million Scholarship

While the overall winner received a prize of N5 million in scholarship, the first and second runners-up received N3 million and N2.5 million grants, respectively, among other gifts.

A 15-year-old student of Fountain Heights Secondary School , Surulere, Lagos, Adaeze Onaro, has emerged the overall winner of the 2023 National Essay Competition (NEC) sponsored by the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Miss Adaeze was unveilled on Tuesday at the financial institution's headquarters in Lagos where 11 other students from various parts of the country also won various prizes and received accolades.

The overall winner received in educational grant a total of N5 million to study the course of her choice in any tertiary institution in Africa. She was also presented with a laptop, a plaque and a trophy.

The first runner-up in the competition, Khadijah Abdulhameed of Sweet Haven High School , Kano, Kano State, received in educational grant a total of N3 million to study in tertiary institution on the continent, while Naomi Chukwuma-Okoh of Queens College, Yaba , Lagos, who came third, received N2.5 million in educational grant.

The two runners-up also received laptops, award plaques and branded bags filled with educational materials such as books, writing tools, among others.

12,000 entries

The representative of the panel of judges, Asabe Kabir, a professor of African Literature at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), said since its launch 13 years ago, the 2023 edition received the highest number of entries of almost 12,000.

The renowned scholar also commended the spread of the entries, saying candidates from various parts of the country sent in their entries, and that the judges were impressed that a large percentage of participants complied with the set instructions.

She said the candidates wrote on the topic: "Will Artificial Intelligence(AI) Take Over Human Intelligence? What Should Students Do to Ensure AI Doesn't Override But Enhance Their Ability to Learn through Research?"

However, the shortlisted 12 finalists, comprising three males and seven females, assembled in Lagos on Sunday, 19 November, to write on a new topic: "Ethnic Diversity and National Unity: Implications for Our Political Problems and Possible Solutions".

According to the professor, the scripts were "thoroughly evaluated resulting in coming up with the shortlist of 12 best essays," adding that the judges were guided by the "approved guidelines for the distribution of marks for composition in line with the benchmark set by NECO and WAEC."

She said "content" carried 40 marks, while "expression" carried 30 marks, noting that "organisation" and "mechanical accuracy" carried 15 marks each, making up a total of 100 marks.

She said: "Under the content, the focus is usually on the subject matter, with special emphasis placed on the relevance of the idea of the topic, appropriateness of the language and its relevance to the central theme and its development. Above all, originality in the candidate's approach and ability to addressing the topic carries weight. Any alteration from the topic is unacceptable.

"Expression which carries 30 marks focuses on the candidate's ability to express himself or herself which includes choice of vocabularies and their relevance to the topic, sentence structure, judicious and imaginative use of figurative language, candidate's control over the vocabularies, and descriptive words to create vivid pictures.

"Under organisation, the candidate's organisation of points which include the correct use of former features such as good paragraphing, suitable opening, adequate development of paragraphs, proper links between paragraphs, balance, unity, coherence, suitable conclusion as well as appropriate use of emphasis, and arrangement of ideas are the basis for scoring."

She said the mechanical accuracy guideline concerned "mainly the candidate's ability to use the mechanics of English Language, especially as they relate with the correct use of grammar, punctuation and spelling."

Observation

Speaking on the observations by the judges, Mrs Kabir said many of the candidates were found guilty of plagiarism.

She said such students used "untidy sources" to generate their answers, including websites and applications such as "Ask AI," "Tutor.com," "Readout Loud," "Study Gig," "Study Bay," "Assignment Maker," among many others.

"We detected all these plagiarisms when we noticed similar sentence patterns in the writing structures, recycling of information without changing the language gotten from the internet, copy and paste process of research. In fact, about 70 per cent of the evaluated essays were outright plagiarisms which we detected through checkers like 'Turn it in' 'Copy Leaks', and many others," the professor said.

She, however, commended many of the candidates for their beautiful entries, saying she was surprised to know that there were students of Senior School 1 classes among the 12 finalists.

Ecstatic mother

The mother of the the overall winner of the competition, Veronica Onaro, a fashion entrepreneur, who was visibly overjoyed, said she had known all along that her daughter would lift the trophy.

She said: "Adaeze has always been very exceptional in whatever she does. When she got to SS1 she started developing special interest in essay writing. Anytime there is an opportunity, you would see her preparing to participate and I have always encouraged her. Even if I didn't want to, whenever she needed my phone, I would always want to know what she wanted to use it for."

She noted that even if she claimed she didn't have time to check her write-ups, her daughter would still read it to her, "and I would definitely show interest and correct appropriately."

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Mrs Onaro said her daughter is willing to study Economics for her degree, saying her interest is to contribute to economic development of Nigeria through promotion of sound policies.

Alawuba, Atta speak

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA, Oliver Alawuba, applauded the finalists for their excellence, saying the bank is committed to grooming future leaders for Africa through the competition and other initiatives.

Mr Alawuba said the financial institution's commitment to reclaiming Africa's lost glory is undoubted, adding that through quality education the continent will rise.

He said: "The focus of the national essay competition is the African youth. The objective is to improve the critical thinking ability and reading skills of African youth and position them for leadership on the continent."

For her part, the Chief Executive Officer of UBA Foundation, the bank's corporate social responsibility arm in charge of the competition, Bola Atta, said the initiative has been recording improvement every year since its launch 13 years ago.

"The quality of entries that we received this year was amazing. And the quality of the winners is even more amazing. They are just excellent, fast-paced with ability and talent," Mrs Atta said.

Read the original article on Premium Times .

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Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation’s Science without Borders® Challenge 2025 International Art Competition

Application Deadline: March 3, 2025 , t

Applications are now open for the 2025 Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation’s Science without Borders® Challenge.

The  Science Without Borders® Challenge  is an international contest that engages students and teachers in ocean conservation through art. This annual competition inspires students to be creative while promoting public awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources, contributing to the overarching goals of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. The  Challenge  is open to primary and secondary

Eligibility

This international art competition is open to all students 11-19 years old. Students must be enrolled in primary or secondary school, or the home school equivalent. College and university students are not eligible for this contest.

Work will be judged in two categories based on age, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded for each:

• Students 11-14 years old
• Students 15-19 years old

Winners of the  Science Without Borders® Challenge  will be awarded with the following scholarships:

• 1st Place: $500
• 2nd Place: $350
• 3rd Place: $200

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation’s Science without Borders® Challenge

The Google News Initiative JournalismAI Innovation Challenge 2024/2025

Application Deadline: 10 October 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 Google News Initiative JournalismAI Innovation Challenge. The JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, supported by the Google News Initiative , aims to fund projects from these news publishers to help fight misinformation and disinformation, experiment with new formats across mobile, video and audio and identify ways to grow subscription and support diverse forms of revenue.

This nine-month long programme is designed by the JournalismAI team at the London School of Economics and Political Science ( LSE ) and supported by the Google News Initiative .

This new grantmaking programme will enable 35 news organisations around the world to experiment and implement solutions to enhance and improve journalistic systems and processes using AI technologies. By the end of the programme, selected organisations will also share outcomes of their respective projects, and best practices about using AI technologies in the news industry.

Eligibility Requirements

• Government-owned entities or entities affiliated/owned by a political party are not eligible to apply.
• Eligible applicants must have a verifiable digital presence (such as a website primarily providing journalistic content) and have been in full operation – and active with recent content – for at least 12 months preceding the call for applications
• Eligible applicants must be able to launch, implement, and measure the impact of the grant on their organisation within a maximum nine (9) month period.
• This is  not  a reporting or storytelling grant and funding must not be used to report and produce stories primarily. Eligible ideas will use AI to focus and develop solutions for these thematic areas:
• Help fight misinformation and disinformation
• Experiment with new formats to engage new and existing audiences across mobile, video, audio.
• Identify ways to grow subscriptions and support diverse forms of revenue.
• You are willing to share business insights and openly collaborate with other grantees, as well as track results throughout and submit a short report of your performance at the end of the programme.

Grants will be awarded as follows:

• 10 ideas will receive $250,000 each
• 25 ideas will receive $50,000 each

Application Process

• Apply by submitting the application form. You can save the application form by clicking “save” and return to it until you have completed it and are ready to submit.
• You will be emailed a link to your application, which you can return to until 10 October 2024 [23:59, GMT ] . Once the application is submitted, it can no longer be edited.
• Only applications in English, received via the Jotform platform by the stated date and time will be considered. You will receive an email confirmation of your submission.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Google News InitiativeJournalismAI Innovation Challenge

The International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 2025 International Poster Contest ($500 prize)

Application Deadline: November 1, 2024, 12 midnight EST

Applications are now open for the 2025 ICAW International Poster Contest. Each year, the International Compost Awareness Week Committee holds a poster contest to pick a design for the annual poster. There is always a new theme for ICAW, which is highlighted on the poster as well as that year’s dates. ICAW is always held the first full week of May. The dates for 2025 are  May 4 – 10 . The poster contest is open to anyone from anywhere in the world age 14 or older.

Requirements

REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST Entries will be eliminated if requirements are not followed exactly. Please read before you enter and make sure your poster has everything it needs.

• Only One Entry Per Person
• Size is 12” wide X 18” vertical (this is in inches)
• Resolution is 300 dpi in jpg format
• Poster contains the theme name:  Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!
• Poster contains the words:  International Compost Awareness Week
• Poster contains the date:  May 4 – 10, 2025
• Do not add additional words to your poster. Only the theme and International Compost Awareness Week and May 4-10, 2025 are allowed. Any changes to those words or additions will automatically eliminate your entry.
• If you have a photograph as part of your poster, please confirm that either you took the photo or you have obtained legal rights to use the photo.
• Important to know before you start your design,  posters cannot be an AI generated design . Any AI designed posters will be eliminated.

Submission Requirement

You must complete the online entry form application and checklist, and submit your poster online. Please include a short paragraph on why you chose to participate in the ICAW 2025 poster contest and give an explanation of your poster concept.  

The poster must include the following: International Compost Awareness Week May 4 – 10, 2025 Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!

Visit the Official Webpage of the ICAW International Poster Contest.

UNDRR Africa Youth Art Competition 2024 for Young Artists (Fully Funded to Windhoek, Namibia)

Application Deadline: 13 September 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2024 UNDRR Africa Youth Art Competition. Young artists – amateurs or professionals- are encouraged to submit a piece that fits into IDDRR2024 theme and raise awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction. The photos of the art submitted will be showcased at the  Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction  in Windhoek, Namibia, scheduled for 21-24 October 2024. 

 The DRR Art Competition organized by Africa Youth Advisory Board on Disaster Risk Reduction (AYAB),  Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM)  and UNDRR aims to enhance awareness and understanding of disaster risk reduction (DRR) among young people, while also fostering creativity and artistic expression on the theme of DRR. The competition seeks to showcase the talent, voices and unique perspectives of young artists, inspiring both action and community engagement in DRR efforts.

• The competition theme will be  “Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future: A Creative Response to Disaster risk.”  
• Artists are encouraged to explore various aspects of DRR that aligns to the AfRP theme “Act Now for the Resilient Africa We Want” and programme.
• UNDRR welcome the participation of young individuals, aged between  18 and 35 , from across  Africa .
• This initiative seeks to amplify their unique perspectives and experiences, recognizing their vital role in documenting and responding to climate challenges.
• The overall winner will receive an invitation to attend the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, with travel and accommodation covered.
• The top 30 participants will have a photo or video representation of their art piece screened at the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• Submission Deadline: 13 September 2024.
• Announcement of the winner: 20 September 2024

How to Apply:

• Please fill out the  Microsoft form  with all the requested information about the artist and the art piece. Include a link to a digital version of the art piece that can be downloaded (e.g., via Google Drive or YouTube).
• Example: If you create a drawing, take a photo of the drawing, upload it to your Google Drive, and make sure the link is accessible to anyone with the link. Then, complete the Microsoft form and, on the second page, add the link to the photo on your Google Drive.

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNDRR Africa Youth Art Competition.

Commonwealth Short Story Prize Writing Contest 2025 for unpublished short fiction (£5,000 in Cash Prize)

Application Deadline: 2 November 2024, 12 pm GMT

Applications are now open for the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize Writing Contest. The prize is free to enter and open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country aged 18 and over. It is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words).

• Entrants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country – please see Section 5 for the list of Commonwealth countries – or stateless persons currently residing in a Commonwealth country. The Commonwealth Foundation will request verification of citizenship status before winners are selected. Entries from citizens of nonCommonwealth countries are not eligible.
• For regional purposes, entries will be judged by country of citizenship. Where the writer has dual citizenship (of two Commonwealth countries), the entry will be judged in the region where the writer is permanently resident.
• There is no requirement for the writer to have current residence in a Commonwealth country, providing that they are a citizen of a Commonwealth country.
• Entrants must be aged 18 years or over on 1 November 2024.
• All entries will be accepted at the discretion of the Commonwealth Foundation which will exercise its judgement, in consultation with the prize chair, in ruling on questions of eligibility. The ruling of the chair on questions of eligibility is final, and no further correspondence will be entered into.
• Entries from previous overall winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize are not eligible. Entrants who have won the regional prize three times are also not eligible to submit to the prize.
• Entries from current members of staff at the Commonwealth Foundation are not eligible.
• Entries must be unpublished and remain unpublished in any language until 1 May 2025.
• If your entry has been shortlisted or won a prize in other competitions, provided it has not been published, it is eligible.
• The regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives a total of £5,000.
• The winning stories are published online by  Granta  and in a special print collection by  Paper + Ink .
• The shortlisted stories are published in  adda , the online literary magazine of the Commonwealth Foundation.

If the winning short story is a translation into English, the translator will receive an additional prize of £750.

Selection Criteria

• An international judging panel of writers will select a shortlist of around twenty stories, from which five regional winners are chosen.
• One of the regional winners is then selected as the overall winner, who receives £5,000. The regional winners will receive £2,500.

For any inquiries regarding the prize, please email: [email protected]

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize Writing Contest

The Earth Prize Environmental Sustainability Competition 2025 for students ($100,000)

Application Deadline: November 30th, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2025 Earth Prize Environmental Sustainability Competition for students. The Earth Prize, the world’s largest environmental competition for young people, has seen participation from teams in over 150 countries during its first three annual editions. It aims to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental leaders and innovators, creating a global platform for sharing and scaling their solutions. Starting with the 2025 edition, there will be seven regional winners, each receiving $12,500 to implement their ideas. The regions are Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Central & South America. Additionally, The Earth Prize will recognize three mentors and three educators of the year, awarding each $2,500.

• Participants must have been born between 2005 and 2011 and be registered in a school or educational program.

Application Timeline:

• 1st Sep. 2024 – 30th Nov. 2024: Registration Phase
• 31st Jan. 2025: Submissions Phase
• 14th February 2025: The Earth Prize Scholars Announcement
• 14th Feb. 2025- 28th Feb. 2025: Scholars Phase
• 28th Feb. 2025 -28th Mar. 2025: Regional Winners Phase
• 1st Apr. 2025 – 7th Apr. 2025: The Earth Prize Regional Winners Announcement
• 7th Apr. 2025- 22nd Apr. 2025: Public Voting Phase
• 22nd Apr. 2025: The Earth Prize Awards Ceremony

HOW TO APPLY

• Registration is open from September 1st until November 30th.
• Fill out the online registration form to get access to My Earth Prize Platform, where you will have access to our exclusive content and mentoring
• Make sure that your Supervisor or Team Lead (who could be you, if you are a student) registers and creates your team on the Submissions Portal.
• Complete the necessary team information and get thinking!

Visit the Official Webpage of the Earth Prize Environmental Sustainability Competition

MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition 2024 For young Nigerians (₦24 million worth of prizes)

Applications are now open for the 2024 MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition. The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee is a spelling competition being organized by MTN Nigeria for students between the ages of 9 and 15 who are on the mPulse tariff plan.

Competition Details

The competition comprises 3 rounds:

• 1st round with 10 spelling questions to be held on mpulse.mtn.ng.
• 2nd round with 20 spelling questions to be held on mpulse.mtn.ng for only shortlisted students from the 1st Round.
• Grand finale to be held on-ground in Lagos and streamed on  mpulse.mtn.ng
• Student –  5million Naira scholarship grant, 1 laptop, 1 smartphone and mPulse goody bag.
• School –  ICT Lab (10 Laptop), 10 MTN Hynetflex
• Teacher –  ₦500,000 cash
• Student –  2.5million Naira scholarship grant, 1 laptop, 1 smartphone and mPulse goody bag.
• Teacher –  ₦300,000 cash
• Student –  1.5 million Naira scholarship grant, 1 laptop, 1 smartphone and mPulse goody bag.
• Teacher –  ₦200,000 cash

4th-10th Finalists

₦500,000 cash prize each and mPulse goody bag

11th-20th Finalists

₦200,000 cash prize and mPulse goody bag

Participation Procedure

• The competition is only open to Nigerian students between the ages of 9 – 15years in primary and secondary schools.
• Parents are not allowed to participate in this game.
• You must register as a student to participate.
• Take the Practice test quiz as many times as possible.
• Click on Play Annually to participate in the competition.
• Top 20 finalist must be on the MTN mPulse tariff plan.
• Click here to migrate or dial *344*1# if you are not on the mPulse tariff plan.
• Have an account?  Please Login
• Don’t have an account?  Please sign up

Visit the Official Webpage of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition

MEST Africa Challenge 2024 for early-stage technology startups ($50,000 in equity)

Application Deadline: October 4, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 MEST Africa Challenge. The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) is a Pan-African pitch competition for early-stage technology startups seeking to ramp up traction and growth. . This year will mark the 6th edition of MAC. MEST will provide the winning startup with investment capital, coaching and access to a global network of resources and partners as they build and scale successful businesses that add value to African economies and livelihoods.

This year, contestants for MAC will be based in West Africa with a focus on the following key markets: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo. For the first time, MAC will also place a sectoral emphasis on agri-tech,  recognizing its immense potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth in Africa.

To be eligible for the program, Startups can apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Early-stage Agritech startup
• Monthly Recurring Revenue: A minimum of $5k
• Funding raised: $0 to $1M cumulative
• Years in existence: 3 years and below
• Traction: At least 6 months of recurring revenue
• Must be operating in one of the 14 MAC countries (Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo)
• Founding team: At least 2 founding team members
• Registered in Delaware (This is preferred)
• Any business model (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G etc…)
• All participants must pitch in English
• Win $50,000: Stand the chance of winning $50,000 in equity
• Global Visibility: Gain visibility from investors & potential partners
• A lifetime of Support: Get lifetime benefits from MEST’s community
• Partner Prizes: Win prizes and perks from MEST strategic partners

Competition Stages

The competition consists of five stages starting with the online application. Successful applicants will then proceed to the following stages.

• Stage 1: Online application
• Stage 2: Selection of Top 20 semi finalists
• Stage 3: Virtual semi-finals (Top 20 applicants)
• Stage 4: Selection of Top 5 finalists
• Stage 5: Final Demo Day in Accra

Visit the Official Webpage of the MEST Africa Challenge

The Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition 2024 for young changemakers.

Application Deadline: unspecified

Applications are now open for the 2024 Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition. A virtual ocean hackathon and symposium was launched on 12 August by the Blue Charter Ocean Youth Working Group to coincide with  International Youth Day . The working group is inviting young people with innovative ideas from across the Commonwealth to compete for a chance to secure funding to assist with the implementation of their projects. The youth group, launched at COP28 in December 2023, actively engages young people across the 56 Commonwealth countries in topics on the ocean and climate change. 

• Open to young people aged 15 – 29 years old from Commonwealth countries. 
• Submissions, by filling the  application form , can be from an individual or a team.  
• A solution to at least one issue from the Commonwealth Blue Charter action areas must be developed. 
• Must be a member of the Blue Charter Ocean Youth Working Group  

Program Details

• Winners will be announced at the Ocean Symposium at the upcoming  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting  in Samoa and COP29 in Azerbaijan.
• They will also be required to submit a blog post with photos at the 3rd, 6th and 9th month intervals after winning to showcase their progress.  

email the group at  [email protected] . 

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition

The Emerald Publishing Africa & Middle East Case Writing Competition 2024

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Emerald Publishing Africa & Middle East Case Writing Competition. The Emerald Publishing   invite authors based at African or Middle Eastern higher education institutions, including Türkiye and Pakistan, to submit business teaching cases focused on emerging markets in their region. Participants can win up to $1,000 and have their case study published globally.

The aim of the competition is to encourage and promote the development of high-quality teaching case material relevant to the realities of dynamic and emerging economies in Africa, the Middle East, Türkiye, and Pakistan. At the same time, we also seek to promote the development of case-writing capabilities with those same regions.

Entry Criteria

Your case should:

• Have a developing and emerging markets focus from Africa, the Middle East, Türkiye, or Pakistan.
• Be written by authors based at higher education institutions in these same countries.
• Be based on a real situation in a real company.
• Be a teaching case, we cannot accept academic (research) cases.
• Not have been published before in its current or substantially similar form or be under consideration for publication in any ISSN/ ISBN-registered publication or with any other case centre.
• Meet the standard EMCS author guidelines ( more below ).
• Include a completed and signed  consent to publish release form .
• Your case will be automatically entered into the peer-review process. Selected cases will be published in the Scopus-ranked EMCS collection (ISSN 2045 0621). By participating in the competition, you are agreeing to publish your case study in EMCS, subject to acceptance for publication after peer review and revisions (if required).
• The total prize pool is worth $2,000, including $1,000 to the winner and $500 each to two runners up!

Submission Criteria

• To enter the competition, you will submit your case study through the  Emerging Markets Case Studies collection  on ScholarOne Manuscripts.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Emerald Publishing Africa & Middle East Case Writing Competition

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Global Feminist Pitch 2024 for aspiring Feminist Documentary Filmmakers.

Application Deadline: September 22, 2024 .

Applications are now open for the 2024 Heinrich Böll Stiftung Global Feminist Pitch. The Global Feminist Pitch supports  young feminists from countries of the Global South  with the aim to make solidarities between feminists and feminist movements worldwide visible through different formats. In 2024-2025, the Global Feminist Pitch will give five feminists from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Middle East or (South) Eastern Europe the chance to  document feminist protest culture  from their region in the form of a 15-minute documentary film that will be produced by Deblokada Production from Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and become part of a film omnibus/anthology film. 

In this process, they will be supported by the Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy, Deblokada Production, and experts from the industry through workshops, consultations, and feedback sessions. The finished documentary film will have a premiere at the end of 2025/beginning of 2026. The documentary film will depict the power of feminist protest culture, contribute to the global debate on feminist movements, complement the existing discourse, and provide feminists, activists, and organisations with insights on how feminism is lived in different regions of the world.

• You are between 25 and 35 years old  1 ;
• You come from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Middle East or (South) Eastern Europe;
• You have a good command of the English language;
• You are an aspiring documentary filmmaker with the relevant experience and background;
• You have the necessary equipment for filming (picture and sound);
• You have a feminist background and you have worked on feminist issues before;
• You have the interest and time to be a part of the Global Feminist Pitch until August 2025.

Five  feminist filmmakers  from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Middle East, and (South) Eastern Europe with the  best proposals and the relevant experience  will be selected to participate in the Global Feminist Pitch. The five feminist filmmakers will receive:

• he agreed honorarium as a compensation for their work;
• the assistance of the Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy and Deblokada Production throughout the duration of the Global Feminist Pitch;
• the possibility to participate in online workshops, learn from experts in the industry, and connect with other feminist filmmakers from different parts of the world;
• the possibility to have their 15-minute documentary film be part of a film omnibus, produced by Deblokada Production and released by the Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy.
• You are interested and think you meet the expectations? Send your resume, your proposal in reference to the aforementioned thematic focus, and examples of relevant previous work to  [email protected] .
• The  submission deadline  is midnight CEST on  September 22, 2024 . We strongly encourage early applications.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Global Feminist Pitch

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) My Adaptation Solution Video Competition 2024

Application Deadline: September 26, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) My Adaptation Solution Video Competition . The Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day, organized by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) on the 12th of October 2024, is the largest-running annual youth adaptation event taking place in over 100 countries around the world. This day is dedicated to mobilizing, showcasing, and celebrating the potential of young people to innovate and accelerate climate adaptation solutions. Youths across the world are invited to participate in this day of climate adaptation celebration 

The Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day will:

Drive  knowledge sharing for youth-led adaptation actions in Africa and around the world.

Build  the youth adaptation movement with schools, universities, and youth organizations.

Raise  awareness and increase the knowledge of young people on climate adaptation.

• Are you between 18-35 years old and leading the fight against climate change?
• Have you developed an innovative and creative adaptation solution?
• Share your adaptation solution with the world by entering your one-minute video in the My Climate Adaptation Solution Video Competition. 

The winners will be announced on  11th October 2024  by the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation. Public voting opens on the  30th of September  and closes on the  7th of October .

Submission Requirements

To enter, submit your video to the Google Drive using the following steps:

• Share the Video : Open the video file, click the three dots to the right and select ‘Share’. Copy the link and ensure that the access level is set to ‘Viewer’.
• Name your Submission : The video should be titled: Participant’s name_Title
• Access your Google Drive .
• Upload the Video File : Locate the ‘New’ button on the left side of the Google Drive. Select ‘file upload’ and click the video file you want to select.
• Monitor the Upload : Wait for the file to appear on the Google Drive.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) My Adaptation Solution Video Competition

The Paradigm Initiative (PIN) Creative Design Competition 2024 for young African creatives.

Application Deadline: August 30, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Paradigm Initiative (PIN) Creative Design Competition. Through the #AfricaConnected campaign, Paradigm Initiative gives you the chance to creatively highlight your country’s internet challenges or opportunities.

Are a young African between the ages of 18-30 participate in this competition to showcase your creativity. 

•  For   young Africans living on the continent between the ages of  18-30 .

How to Participate

• Create  graphics , i nfographics , i llustrations ,  comics  or  motion graphics  that raise awareness about the digital divide and its impact on education, economic empowerment, employment, and civic participation in your region.
• Post your submissions on your social media handles, tagging Paradigm Initiative. Our social media handles include:  Facebook  – Paradigm Initiative  |LinkedIn  – Paradigm Initiative  |Instagram  – paradigmhq  | X   -@ParadigmHQ  |TikTok  – @ParadigmhqAll submissions should end with the hashtags  #ParadigmInitiative  and  #AfricaConnected  and tag  @paradigmhq
• Visual arts and graphic submissions can include digital posters, infographics, illustrations, comics and motion graphics.
• All Submissions should be high-resolution to ensure quality.
• Submissions should be made in English or French.
• Please see specified timeline for each region below.

For questions or inquiries, contact  [email protected]

Visit the Official Webpage of the Paradigm Initiative (PIN) Creative Design Competition

Africa Soft Power Climate Change Photo Essay Prize 2024 for young Africans.

Application Deadline: September 20 th , 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Africa Soft Power Climate Change Photo Essay Prize. The Climate Change Photo Essay Prize calls upon 18 – 30-year-olds from Africa and the global diaspora community to document the environmental changes happening before their very eyes. After the success of the first-ever edition of the Climate Change Photo Essay Prize in 2023, we are thrilled to launch the second edition of the prize with the theme –  “At a crossroad: Climate and change”.

The Climate Change Photo Essay Prize  is run by Africa Soft Power (ASP), in association with  African Women Board (AWB)  as part of the ‘ Road to 100 Million Climate Soldiers in Africa ’ campaign. The campaign is focused on climate education, which we view as the first step in securing climate solutions. Our goal is to educate and empower 100 million young Africans in the fight against climate change, which we will measure through the reach of each of the campaign’s projects.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Africa Soft Power Climate Change Photo Essay Prize

The Melton Foundation SDG Innovation Challenge 2024 for young Africans.

Application Deadline: 31 August, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Melton Foundation SDG Innovation Challenge . Designed as a virtual, pan-African innovation space, the SDG Innovation Challenge is a powerhouse for young Africans (16 – 35 years) to develop cross-boundary, sustainable solutions to grassroots challenges that further social impact and contribute towards the  Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs).

Innovation is a force that sets the engine of sustainable development running, uncovering initiatives that build resilience, contribute to more equitable resource distribution, further inclusion, alleviate environmental stress, and so on! Moreover, and in alignment with  SDG 17  (Partnerships For The Goals), we emphasize collaboration and partnerships as a central axis around which our efforts are oriented!

In collaboration with the  Global Goals Week  (20 -29 September 2024), the  SDG INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2024  supports the annual week of action, awareness, and accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals, promising to join hands with local, regional, and global partners to nurture fresh thinking and supercharge sustainable, inclusive solutions for people and the planet.

All startups/projects should:

• Have a connection to the theme  Bridging Social Innovation Gaps: Propelling Youth-led Innovations for Sustainable Development
• Connect to one or more Focus Areas  (see below)
• Have clarity about how they contribute to the  Sustainable Development Goals
• Be in an early stage of project development (0.5 – 2 years)
• Have initial evidence of impact and potential to scale
• Target a specific community or location in Africa
• Be socio-economically viable, entrepreneurial, and/or scalable in their approach
• Contribute to change of mindset and behavior in their community
• Contribute to creating a more inclusive society
• Should further decent work, digital transformation, partnerships, and collaborations.

Focus Areas:

• Energy & Carbon Reduction
• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
• Health & Wellbeing
• Food & Nutrition (Agriculture)

Applicants must:

• Share a passion, drive, and commitment to improving livelihoods in their community.
• Have a genuine interest in sustainable development and a desire to contribute to the SDGs at the grassroots level and beyond.
• Be able to work with team from different domains, cultures, and geographies.
• Have the motivation to work in an agile hackathon-like environment to pivot their startup/project.
• Have curiosity, open-mindedness & desire to reimagine how we tackle SDGs.
• Have a 0.5 – 2 years old project and belong to a youth-led startup or project team (4-7 people)
• Commit to the innovation process and be eager to develop and/or rethink their startup/project for more sustainable impact
• Ensure that their schedule allows for full participation throughout the different phases of the SDG Innovation Challenge.
• Have access to a laptop/desktop computer and stable internet connectivity.  (Basic knowledge of G-suite & eagerness to explore new technologies is recommended, too.)
• Access to an unorthodox, dynamic, and diverse platform of youth activists, organizations, and legislators  –  Tap into a conducive online space to converge around practical SDG solutions.
• A much-needed opportunity to visualize and implement the SDGs at the grassroots level  –  Participate in the making of our future and jumpstart your involvement in the sustainable development agenda as a responsible, impact-oriented social entrepreneur.
• Immense networking potential  –  Build connections, and be part of a community of practice around eco-systemic, collaborative solutions.
• A space to exercise your global citizenship muscle  –  Sharpen and hone skills in leadership, innovation, cross-sector collaboration, analytic thinking, interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and allied areas.
• Sourcing diversity of thought, background, and sector  –  Collaborate with people from many different domains, including engineering, design, civic policy, social justice reform, project management, finance, education, and many others.
• Activate resources to further the SDG impact of your startup/project  –   unlock tangible and intangible perks, including global visibility, prize money, tailored support, access to high-impact network(s), and more.

To participate virtually on 12-14 September, you must  register by 31 August, 2024  before 11:59 PM GMT.

Before applying, here are some rules to keep in mind:

• Only teams of 4 to 7 people can apply!   One team member must complete the application on behalf of the entire team. The person applying on behalf of the team can start the application and save it to continue at a later date. Important to keep in mind is that (a) only one application per team is allowed, and (2) applications must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Any idea entering the challenge must be at an early stage at the most!   This is an ideation space, not an accelerator program. If you have an already well refined project or if you are not open to re-think your approach or bringing different perspectives on board: do not apply. We’re here to spark fresh thinking, unearth novel ideas through cross-boundary collaboration, and converge around SDG solutions. It’s that mindset that will result in the biggest, most transformative impact, starting with your participation in the SDG Innovation Challenge.
• Be committed to develop your startup/project during and after the challenge!   We expect participants to be present throughout the entire challenge, attend virtual sessions, respect deadlines, and contribute to the success of their innovation team by working together on improving improve startup/project for greater SDG impact.

All applications will be screened and undergo a pre-selection. We are inclusive in our approach and encourage young Africans to participate, regardless of their background, gender, physical or cognitive abilities.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Melton Foundation SDG Innovation Challenge

UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week Youth Hackathon 2024

Application Deadline: 26 August 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week Youth Hackathon. The Youth Hackathon, an integral component of the Global MIL Week, offers a global stage for youth participation and engagement, aiming to harness innovation and youth-led initiatives to respond to the Week’s theme, in particular the growing role of digital content creators and influencers in the information landscape; and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. 

The winning teams will be invited to Amman, Jordan, on October 30 and 31 to present their projects during the closing ceremony of the Global MIL Week Feature Conference. 

• Teams will comprise 3-6 members (ensuring gender parity, teams can be national, regional, or international).
• Members must be aged between 18 and 30 years old and adhere to UNESCO’s values such as peace, respect for diversity, freedom of expression.
• No previous experience is required.

Solution categories

• Applications/Websites
• Radio programmes/Podcasts
• Educational toolkits
• Creative community-based interventions (non-technology focused)
• Other creative modalities for innovative interventions

Tasks and Challenges

The participants will focus on one of the following topics to design innovative solution and scheme their proposals:

• Empowering youth to become active participants in shaping the digital spaces they inhabit, finding ways to promote public interest information rather than passive consumers of information. 
• Exploring innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence.
• Exploring receptive and effective approaches to Media and Information Literacy Education and Capacity Building through Peer education and Feeding Education.
• Activating Youth Organizations to be agents of change through collaborating with digital content creators.
• 5 July 2024: Registration opens
• 26 August 2024: Registration ends
• 28-29 August 2024: Two-day online mentoring programme offered to all registered participants
• 8 September 2024: Deadline for submissions
• 9-20 September 2024: Judging process
• 31 October 2024: Presentation of the winning projects during the closing ceremony of the Global MIL Week Conference in Amman, Jordan.  

Submission format

Each submission to include a document presenting the solution and a 3-minute video pitch (a creative format is strongly recommended). They must include:

• The team composition
• Problem statement, objectives, audience, and alignment with this year’s challenges
• Explanation of the prototype
• Feasibility
• Sustainability
• Deployment strategies / Business model and evidence of market validation

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week Youth Hackathon

ReSAKSS Data Challenge 2024 for Data Enthusiasts

Application Deadline: August 20, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 ReSAKSS Data Challenge . AKADEMIYA2063  is launching the fifth edition of the  ReSAKSS Data Challenge ! This competition allows enthusiastic data users to showcase their creativity and analytical skills by using data and other resources on the  ReSAKSS  website and related digital platforms to develop innovative knowledge products or projects that address  Africa’s  development challenges.

The  Annual ReSAKSS challenge  is an Africa-wide – diaspora included – four  (4)-category challenge  encouraging participants to use their  imagination  to generate  innovative knowledge ,  tools,  and  content . Prizes will be awarded to the best entries in the following categories:

Category 1 –  Essays and Reports:  The most innovative research paper, article, essay, or journal article bringing solutions to African issues.

Category 2 –  Visual Arts:  The most innovative infographic, illustration, video

Category 3 –  IT products and services:  The most innovative applications and tools

Category 4 –  High School Projects:  The most innovative high school project

• The  ReSAKSS DATA challenge  is an opportunity for researchers and analysts to experiment, discover new tools, and create a community of practice that will work data in the most innovative way.
• It will enable other groups of actors, whether in business, the media, or arts, to create content in their own liner of occupation. It allows civil society organizations to develop content for advocacy. More generally, diverse communities with different backgrounds can come together  use data to generate knowledge , discuss and exchange on their common  interest for data .
• Targeted  participants  include but are  not limited  to  researchers, analysts,  and  students in all disciplines, artists, media specialists, coders, developers, high school teams,  anyone  in Africa  and from  the diaspora  who is passionate about  data  and willing to create an  innovative content, product  or  service  relevant to social and economic development  issues facing African countries .

Visit the Official Webpage of the ReSAKSS Data Challenge

Jacaranda FM Business Plan Her Perfect Pitch Competition 2024 for female Entrepreneurs.

Application Deadline: 31 August 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Jacaranda FM Business Plan Her Perfect Pitch Competition.

Jacaranda FM is once again shining the spotlight on female entrepreneurs with Her Perfect Pitch 2024 . This incredible competition is set to transform one lucky businesswomen’s life, offering over R2 million in business assistance.

Her Perfect Pitch aims to elevate female entrepreneurs, empower women, and foster business success. 

To participate in the Competition, the participant must:

• Hold a South African identity document or valid Visa if a foreign person.
• Live in the Republic of South Africa.
• Be a woman in business with a minimum of 50% ownership.
• Be 18 years and older.
• Have a business registered in South Africa.
• Have a business that is at least a year old.
• Provide correct and full personal contact details.

Grand Prize

The grand prize winner will receive:

• R500 000 worth of advertising on Jacaranda FM
• Conceptualisation, production, and creation of a radio advert, plus digital amplification
• Tailor-made business model
• Research consultation
• Branding consultation
• Digital and PR consultation

Top 10 Perks

Each of the top 10 finalists will also receive  R100 000 worth of airtime  on Jacaranda FM!

Entry Process

Elevate your business to new levels of success! Apply today to access exclusive growth opportunities and shape a brighter future.

• Step 1: Create your profile
• Step 2: Complete the application form

You’ll need to set aside some time to do this, as you’ll be asked to submit your financial statements as well as to tell us more about your business, your vision, USPs etc.

• Step 3: Top 30 applicants will be selected

…and invited to a networking session. The Top 30 entrants will also be required to prepare and submit a 2-minute video pitch for their business.

• Step 4: Top 10 finalists will be selected

…and invited to pitch their business live to a panel of judges at the Jacaranda FM studios in Johannesburg.

• Step 5: The top three finalists will be announced on-air by Jacaranda FM.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Jacaranda FM Business Plan Her Perfect Pitch Competition

 Irish Aid SDG Challenge 2024 for Sustainable Solutions

Application Deadline: 8 October 2024 ( 13:00 Dublin Local Time ).  

Applications are now open for the 2024 Irish Aid SDG Challenge. The SDG Challenge seeks to support diverse, transdisciplinary teams to develop transformative, sustainable solutions that will contribute to addressing development challenges under the UN SDGs in countries where Irish Aid works.   

Solutions must demonstrate context-specific expected impact in one of Irish Aid’s partner countries but applicants are also encouraged to consider broader opportunities where solutions may have wider impact and may foster learning for regional and sub-regional use.   

Funding is available for collaborative research teams based in eligible research institutions in Ireland and partner countries. Successful teams will be awarded up to €300k and will work through a series of phases to develop their idea. An overall prize award of €1M will be available to the team that demonstrates the highest potential for transformative impact.

• The SDG Challenge is intended to support highly motivated, transdisciplinary teams committed to developing transformative, sustainable solutions that will contribute to addressing development challenges under the UN SDGs in Irish Aid’s partner countries. It is expected that teams will encompass a range of technical and non-technical skills to address barriers associated with challenge definition and solution deployment, and that they will represent collaborative and equitable partnerships between researchers in Ireland and the partner country.   
• Teams must include expertise in the STEM research area underpinning the proposed solution, but should also include relevant knowledge or experience in complementary areas such as, for example, international development, economics, behavioural science or others, in order to inform the development, translation (incl. adoption) and impact of solutions. As part of an application, two academic researchers (at least one from a relevant STEM discipline) must be identified as part of the core-team.  Funding should be allocated appropriately to reflect the various contributions to the team. 

Phase Funding & Duration

The SFI Future Innovator Prize consists of three phases: Concept, Seed and Prize Award, as summarised below.  

Funding should be allocated to the Team Lead/Team Co-Lead based in an eligible HEI in Ireland and also the Partner Country Team Co-Lead based in the partner country. Information on eligible costs and funding levels is available in the call document.   

Visit the Official Webpage of the  Irish Aid SDG Challenge

Pulitzer Center Local Letters for Global Change Contest 2024 for K-12 students worldwide.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

Applications are now open for the 2024 Pulitzer Center Local Letters for Global Change Contest. Through this contest, students can practice global citizenship, civic action, and persuasive writing, all while exploring the underreported issues that matter to them through Pulitzer Center news stories.

Eligibility:

Pulitzer Center welcome entries from all current K-12 students across the globe. Letters may be written in English and/or Spanish. Letters should address a topic within one of the Pulitzer Center’s five focus issues:

• Climate and Environment  (Includes climate change, pollution, extractive industries, and more)
• Global Health  (Includes health inequities, food security, mental health, water and sanitation, and more)
• Human Rights  (Includes racial justice, gender equality, migration and refugees, Indigenous rights, and more)
• Information and Artificial Intelligence  (Includes technology and society, misinformation, and more)
• Peace and Conflict

Pulitzer Center will select one first place winner and up to four finalists for each issue category. First place winners will receive:

• $300 to support global community engagement in your classroom (prize distributed to your class teacher)
• Publication of your letter, photo, and bio on the Pulitzer Center website

Finalists will receive:

• $75 to support global community engagement in your classroom (prize distributed to your class teacher)

All entrants will be invited to participate in a Pulitzer Center town hall event, held virtually in November, to share their solutions with other students from around the world.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Pulitzer Center Local Letters for Global Change Contest

AgroHack Challenge 2024 for young Nigerian Agriculture Entrepreneurs.

Application Deadline: October 7th, 2024

AgroHack Challenge is seeking innovative ideas across the agriculture industry’s value chain. These ideas will be accelerated to create new opportunities for many young Nigerians. The key objective of the AgroHack Challenge is to harness innovative solutions that will enhance rapid growth in the agriculture food sector and increase output and profitability for farmers, create new jobs and increase food security in Nigeria.

• Must be a female led Agric enterprise
• Must be between 18 – 35 age
• Must have a team (minimum of 2 )
• Have an innovative or scalable business idea or model in the agricultural sector (ranging anywhere from farm to fork)
• Transform a community, a nation, a region, or have a global impact
• Have a minimum viable product
• Have a business model with a clear customer segment
• Participants also stand a chance to win up to one million naira
• Accelerator programme
• 5 days Enterprise boot camp
• Intense mentorship from a pool of international mentors
• Business support services
• Access to investors
• Access potential clients
• New market opportunities

Visit the Official Webpage of the AgroHack Challenge

The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition 2024 for Young People Worldwide.

Application Deadline: August 31st 2024!

Applications are now open for the 2024 Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition. The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) aims to empower entrepreneurs – especially young ones – to work for a more peaceful and sustainable world. Participants are invited to submit their ideas and projects with social impact and to make a concrete commitment to one or more of the  17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  and to implement them. The 17 goals for sustainable development address the most important social, economic, environmental and health challenges of our time. The submissions are divided into two categories: idea and project. Entrepreneurs from 13 years old are invited to submit their idea or project to participate in the CEC.

The competition takes place in three phases. In the first phase, entrepreneurs submit their idea/project with a short pitch.  If their idea/project meets the competition criteria , they are invited to complete the courses and work on their Entrepreneurial Design. For this purpose, we have developed a special Entrepreneurial Design Canvas (EDC). After completing the courses, participants can submit their completed EDC for phase 2. In this phase all ideas and projects will be published and the participants can vote and collect votes. The 10 submissions with the most votes will move on to the third phase, where an expert jury will select the winners. The winners will be announced at the CEC award ceremony, which takes place in an online ceremony.

• Entrepreneurs from 13 years old are invited to submit their idea or project to participate in the CEC.
• You are welcome to register as a team. The requirement is that each team member has their own campus account. One team member can create the idea/project in the user area and add the other team members to the idea/project. In this way, the same idea/project will appear in the profiles of all team members.
• There is not a limit to the number of a team members.
• You can submit more than one entry as long as they tackle different issues.
• Ideas and projects must be in English. Other languages cannot be considered.
• There are no cash prizes, scholarships or other financial resources in the CEC. You gain knowledge, contacts, a business plan in the form of the Entrepreneurial Design (as long as you complete it conscientiously) and an official certificate from Stiftung Entrepreneurship (Foundation Entrepreneurship) on the completion of the Entrepreneurship courses and the placement in the Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition.

Timeline July 31, 2024

Last day for submissions. Last day to complete both the Brains versus Capital & Sustainable Entrepreneurship courses and the Entrepreneurial Design Canvas (EDC).

Please keep in mind that we may not have enough time to review your pitch and you may lack time to meet the CEC requirements.

August 01, 2024 

Start of Voting Phase.

All ideas/projects that have completed both courses and fully completed the EDC will automatically move into the Voting Phase and will be posted on our public website.

August 31, 2024

End of Voting Phase.

You still have the whole day to collect votes. At midnight the voting will be closed and it is no longer possible to vote. We will evaluate the collected votes and announce the finalists as soon as possible.

September 2024

Evaluation and announcement.

The 10 submissions with the most votes will go through to the final and in front of our judges. The jury awards points according to criteria such as entrepreneurial vision, feasibility, innovation, leadership, social impact and sustainability and selects the winners. The winners will then be announced on our blog.

Note:  Pictures and videos (maximum 3 minutes long) are good ways to explain an idea/project clearly and can increase the chance of getting votes. Please make sure that you only use images and videos to which you have the copyright.

If you don’t want to submit an idea or project, you can still register in the Entrepreneurship Campus to network, share and give feedback on ideas and projects.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition

The Commonwealth Secretariat Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition.

Application Deadline:  21 August 2024

The Commonwealth Secretariat is pleased to launch the Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition.

This competition, brought to you by the Trade and Youth teams of the Commonwealth Secretariat, invites young researchers and students aged 18-29 to share their insights on a crucial topic:  How can trade and trade policy address an aspect of the climate crisis in your country?

To challenge young people in the Commonwealth to explore the relationship between trade and climate change and propose how trade policy can be part of the solution to the climate crisis.

Essay topic

In what ways do you think trade and trade policy can help to address an aspect of the climate crisis in your country? Identify a specific problem, explain how it is linked to the climate crisis, and clearly explain how trade or trade policy can be used to address it.

• You must be aged between 18-29 years old and a Commonwealth national to participate in this competition.
• First prize:  £1,000
• Second and third prizes:  £500 each

The top three essays will be published as part of the Trade Competitiveness Briefing Series and launched at the  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting  in Samoa in October.

Submission details

• Essays must be a  maximum of 2,000 words  (including in-text references and footnotes, excluding reference list)
• Full referencing in any style (in-text and reference list)
• Entries should be submitted as a single PDF or Word file, 1.5 spacing, Times New Roman font

Details to include

• Nationality
• Contact information (email, address, telephone)
• CV or short bio

Please email your submission and details to  [email protected]  by 21 August 2024. If you have any questions about the competition, please contact  [email protected] .

• Submission deadline:  21 August 2024
• Winners informed:  2 September 2024

Visit the Official Webpage of the Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition

Business Partners Limited/SME Toolkit SA Business Plan Competition 2024 for aspiring young entrepreneurs

Application Deadline: 16 August, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Business Partners Limited/SME Toolkit SA Business Plan Competition.

Get the Know-how to start your own Business! Enter the 2024 Business Competition for aspiring entrepreneurs and stand a chance of winning a cash prize and mentorship Vouchers.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more,

Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.

Email: [email protected]

Visit the Official Webpage of the Business Partners Limited/SME Toolkit SA Business Plan Competition

 ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024 for cybersecurity Enthusiasts.

Application Deadline: August 5, 2024

Join the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon to unleash your skills and test your creativity. Connect with a team of innovative minds to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. The ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon, a Capture the Flag (CTF) competition organised by ECOWAS and the host Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). This event offers an excellent opportunity for beginners and seasoned professionals to immerse into the world of cybersecurity, learn new skills, and network with fellow enthusiasts.

The ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon aims to foster a platform for young technology enthusiasts, enhancing the cyber workforce in the region. Member states are encouraged to participate and showcase their brightest minds in this competition.

August 6 – August 31, 2024

Online CTF competition

Participants:

Open to teams from all ECOWAS member states

Engage in a series of cybersecurity challenges to identify the top team from each member state

October 14 – October 16, 2024

In-person CTF competition

Abuja, Nigeria

The leading teams from each ECOWAS member state

Identify the top regional cybersecurity team through a competitive in-person CTF event, emphasizing cross-border collaboration and advanced cybersecurity skills.

All talented individuals and teams are invited to join this exhilarating competition. Demonstrate your expertise, collaborate with peers, and push the boundaries of cybersecurity. Be part of the talent pool driving the security of cyberspace for your country and West Africa as a whole.

Visit the Official Webpage of the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon

The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge 2024 for agri-tech innovators.

Application Deadline: 28 August 2024 at 23:59 (GMT+3)

Applications are now open for the 2024 AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge . A challenge designed to catalyze the Kenyan agri-food systems transformation by supporting early-stage innovators in the development, deployment, adoption, and scaling of high-impact science-based agri-tech solutions for smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain players.

The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge aims to address these issues by fostering science-based agri-tech innovations that are localized within the national context and driven by market demand. By bridging the gap between research and market adoption, the initiative supports sustainability, resilience, and efficiency in Kenya’s agriculture. 

Accelerate your impact by joining us in shaping the future of agriculture to strengthen food security and ignite economic growth across Kenya.  

• The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge is a program designed specifically for agri-tech innovators with early-stage solutions that are rooted in, or applicable to, Kenya’s agricultural sector.
• The program offers applicants, who must have an existing minimum viable product (MVP) or proof of concept (POC), comprehensive support to build a solid go-to-market strategy through business mentorship, scientific technical validation, market opportunities, access to finance, and on-the-ground experimentation with end-users to pilot solutions.

The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge is powered by Kenyans, for Kenya, and is designed to meet local market demands and address critical value chain challenges.

Attract top-class innovators to tackle Kenya’s agricultural bottlenecks

Develop a pipeline of deployable, impactful and affordable solutions for farmers and value chain actors

Nurture an enabling environment that attracts investments and de-risks innovative technology development

Empower rural communities, and in particular, women and young people

Propel economic growth by creating employment and fostering a skilled and equipped workforce

Align efforts with the objectives of the Big 4 Agenda and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy in alignment with Vision 2030

Develop an in-depth understanding of agriculture in Kenya

Benefit from a fully funded, 4-day immersive bootcamp in Nairobi, Kenya

Connect with a wide and diverse network of partners, agribusinesses and investors

Optimise solutions through direct exposure to CGIAR assets and industry-leading scientists and experts

Reserved for participants  who successfully graduate from the bootcamp

Enroll on a sponsored 4-month acceleration program, combining entrepreneurial training and technical assistance.

Test and validate your solution on the ground with end-users for up to four months

Gain strategic exposure to investors and market opportunities

Visit the Official Webpage of the AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge

UNFPA Research Challenge: Climate Change XX: Women’s Health in Focus. 

Application Deadline: 7 July 2024

The countries most at risk of climate change are also those where women and girls face the greatest dangers. “Without urgent action, climate change will set back the clock on gender equality,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director. “UNFPA is pleased to support young female researchers studying the impacts of climate on women’s health. This is important to ensure that both the priorities of women and girls are reflected in climate strategies in the most vulnerable countries and that women are better represented in climate-related decision-making.”

In this context, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with academic partners, is launching the  Research Challenge: Climate Change XX: Women’s Health in Focus . This Challenge will support young and female researchers who are addressing the impact of climate change on women and girls’ health – with special attention to the topic of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender equity and inclusion in the design of climate solutions.

Eligibility criteria

• We invite submissions from research teams and organizations led by young researchers under 35 years old, or by a female researcher, with a preference for women-led research.
• Applicants must commit to the bi-weekly support program from August to November and be prepared to deliver the results of the research study or share new findings within a four-month period.
• While the final outcome of the research is not expected to be delivered within the timeline and scope of this initiative, applicants must be prepared to present evidence of how the received grants have advanced the research by November 2024.
• Individuals and teams must be living and working in, and originate from,  UNFPA Programme Countries  and demonstrate proximity to the community served by their solution.
• At a minimum, applicants must already have an established scope of research and key research questions.
• Organizations can be for-profit, nonprofit, or hybrid models.
• Team members must have a working knowledge of English to participate in the support program.
• Only one submission per applying team is permitted. All submissions must be made in English only.

Format of the Challenge

UNFPA, in collaboration with academic partners, launches the Research Challenge to identify up to six winning proposals. Each winning proposal will receive the grant to support the researcher or research team with seed funding of up to $15,000. Winning teams will sign a 4-month contract during which they will:

• Advance their research in identifying and understanding the impact of climate change on the health of women and girls.
• Enhance integration of gender transformative approaches in the design of their study, focusing on equitable inclusion of women in the dataset at all stages of the study.
• Strengthen inclusivity and responsiveness to the unique needs of women and girls.
• Call for Submissions Opens: 18 June 2024 
• Submission Deadline: 7 July 2024
• Evaluation Period: 8 July – 26 July 2024
• Announcement of Winners (Sign Award + disburse funds): August 2024
• Research Support Programme: August – November 2024
• The culmination of the Research Challenge: December 2024

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNFPA Research Challenge

Wiki Loves Earth” Photography Competition 2024 (Nigeria) 

Application Deadline:  31 July 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2024 Wiki Loves Earth” Photography Competition. Wiki Loves Earth  is an international photography competition to promote natural heritage sites around the World through Wikimedia projects (mainly  Wikipedia  and  Wikimedia Commons ). 

Wiki Loves Earth in Nigeria  is an online photography competition to promote the cultural heritage sites of Nigeria. This photography competition is part of the international annual photographic competition  Wiki Loves Earth  (WLE). 

Competition Rules

Every submission should be:  All entries must be your own work; do not manipulate original images and make sure that there is no visible watermarks.  All photos must be uploaded within June 1st to July 31st, 2024, to be eligible  All photos must be licensed under  CC BY-SA license  Participants must have an  active email  account, if the organizers wish to contact  Captions and description are required  Do not forget to add categories to your picture as it will be helpful to everyone looking for your picture  Make sure that you are not uploading duplicate images

How to participate:  Sign in or Create a New Account on Wikimedia Commons  Name your photos well  Use our  Upload Button  at the top  OR   Click here  to upload images  Share your upload success on social media with our hashtags: #WLENG #WLE2024.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Wiki Loves Earth” Photography Competition

GAIN AGRI-Business Innovation Challenge 2024 for Nigerian agri-tech startups.

Application Deadline:   26th, July 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 GAIN AGRI-Business Innovation Challenge. The  Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) , a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition in partnership with the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC) has co-created the Agribusiness Innovation Challenge to attract eligible agritech startups with solutions for improving the food supply chain in Nigeria.

The Challenge aims to identify, develop, and scale innovative solutions to food safety challenges and a healthier food supply chain that can meet the needs of a growing population while also addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria. In addition, the challenge which is a part of GAIN’s Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples project provides technical assistance training to women and youth-led start-ups to strengthen their capacity, improve their access to financial services, and develop their business concepts leveraging innovation to improve food supply chain efficiency in Nigeria.

• Applications are now open to all eligible agri-tech startups in Nigeria. 
• Women and Youths aged 18-35 years  (Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply)
• Applicants must have agri-business innovations that can address and solve the  Food Supply Chain  challenges in Nigeria.
• Shortlisted candidates should be willing to commit to all programme deliverables.
• Finalists should be willing to test and replicate their solutions in the following states of Nigeria; Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Ibadan
• All Applicants must have businesses registered with  the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
• Previous beneficiaries are ineligible to apply

Shortlisted early-stage startups with a Minimum Viable Product  should expect to go through the following process from the programme; 

• Pitch Readiness bootcamp
• Technical Assistance Programme
• Mentorship Community
• ₦ 20,000,000 EQUITY-FREE GRANT

Visit the Official Webpage of the GAIN AGRI-Business Innovation Challenge

The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge 2024 for innovative agriculture startups ($1 Million USD in funding)

Application Deadline: July 12, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 THRIVE Global Impact Challenge . The THRIVE Global Impact Challenge is a global search for the most innovative startups who are advancing a more sustainable future for agriculture.

These selection criteria will help us identify and support startups and entrepreneurs who are actively working towards creating sustainable and impactful solutions aligned with our mission and vision.

Seed to Series A:

Applicants should be early-stage startups or entrepreneurs at the seed to Series A stage. We welcome innovative ideas and solutions that have the potential for growth and scalability.

Global Applicants:

We invite applications from around the world. Entrepreneurs and startups from any country or region are encouraged to apply, as we value diverse perspectives and global collaboration.

Adhesion to Focus Areas:

Applicants should demonstrate a clear alignment with one or more of the above focus areas. Solutions should address the specific challenges within these areas and offer innovative approaches for positive impact. 

Proven Climate & Environmental Impact (Preferred):

While not mandatory, we highly value applicants who can demonstrate a proven impact on climate and the environment. This includes showcasing tangible outcomes, data-driven results, or successful implementation of solutions that have positively influenced sustainability, carbon reduction, biodiversity, or other environmental aspects.

Finalists from each theme will advance to the finals and pitch at the THRIVE Global Impact Summit where the overall winner will be announced.

The Winning company receives the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge Award in addition to the following:

• A place on THRIVE’s award-winning Global Accelerator Program
• Investment from SVG Ventures up to $1 Million USD
• Opportunity to pitch live at THRIVE Global Impact Summit in Silicon Valley
• Two Complimentary tickets to attend THRIVE Global Impact Summit & pre-summit networking reception

Visit the Official Webpage of the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge

United Nations (UN) FAO World Food Day Poster Contest 2024 for teens worldwide

Application Deadline: 8 November 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2024 United Nations (UN) FAO World Food Day Poster Contest. Join the World Food Day Poster Contest and show us your creativity! Design a poster that symbolizes your favourite dish or recipe, representing the importance of diverse, nutritious, safe and affordable foods. Show us what this means to you, your community or the world through art.

Take a photo or scan your poster and submit your entry by filling out the form on our website. Three winners in each age category will be selected by our jury and announced here in December. Winners will be promoted by FAO offices around the world and receive a certificate and surprise gift bag.

• The Contest is open to children and youth between the ages of 5 and 19, living anywhere in the world.  
• The age to declare in the entry form is the one at the time of entering the Contest. Minors must have the permission of their parents or legal guardians to participate in the Contest. 
• Participation is  free  of charge. 
• The entry period will begin at 12:00 (CEST) on 3 June 2024 and will close at 12:00 (CEST) on 8 November 2024.
• The competition is divided into the following categories: 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 15, and 16 to 19. 
• Only one entry should be submitted per person . Multiple entries from one person will result in disqualification.  
• Poster entries may be drawn, painted or sketched using pens, pencils, crayons or charcoal, or using oil, acrylic or watercolour paint, as well as mixed media. Digitally created artwork is also permitted.  No photographs are allowed . 
• Poster entries may or may not include text. If text is used,  no more than 25 words or 100 characters  can be accepted.  Do not include personal information , such as names, school names or age, etc. 
• All artwork must be original and should not include logos or photographic images  of the Contestant or other personal information.  
• All participants are encouraged to read about the World Food Day theme in the World Food Day Activity Book. Younger children may want to learn together with a parent or teacher.  
• Posters can only be submitted using the entry form provided. All fields in the Contest entry form must be completed and after uploading the poster design, the ENTER button must be clicked. Younger children may need help from an adult in making their online submission.  
• Only digital files saved as a JPEG  will be accepted and submissions must be made through the online form provided – please do not send in physical posters.  
• 15 posters in each category (60 posters) will be selected for the shortlist by the screening committee and notified in December 2023.  Shortlisted candidates will receive a certificate for this achievement. 
• Three winning poster designs will be selected as finalists by a jury in each category. 
• The top three poster designs in all categories will be announced on the World Food Day website. 
• Winners will be promoted on FAO social media and by FAO offices around the world.   
• Winners will also receive a Certificate of Recognition and a surprise gift bag. 
• In the event that any of the selected winner(s) of any prize is/are ineligible in accordance with these Contest rules and/or the General Rules, Copyright and Privacy, cannot be traced, or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and it will be in the sole discretion of FAO to choose whether to award the prize to another eligible entry. 
• When winning posters are published, only the first initial, full family name and country of origin will be published. No other personal information about the Contestants will be published or shared. 

Visit the Official Webpage of the United Nations (UN) FAO World Food Day Poster Contest

Ian Parry Scholarship Prize 2024 for young Photo Journalists (£10,000 Prize)

Applications are now open for the 2024 Ian Parry Scholarship Prize . The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant supports young and emerging photographers as they embark on their career in the world of photojournalism.

• The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant is an international photographic competition for young photographers who are 24 years of age or under, or anyone who is studying in a full-time photographic course.
• Entrants must submit a portfolio of 12 images and a clear proposal of a project they would undertake if they received the grant.
• Each winner will receive £10,000 towards their chosen project
• Publication of images by our media partner The Guardian
• Loan of Canon equipment for 1 year for the IP Grant winner to complete their proposed project
• Inclusion in the Hamburg portfolio review
• Eligible for inclusion in the Canon Transmissions Programme at  Visa Pour L’Image  in Perpignan
• A year-long personal mentorship with an industry expert
• An assignment by the Founder and CEO of Legacy of War Foundation, renowned photojournalist Giles Duley
• We also offer conflict training and body armour to the winner of the IP Photojournalism Grant
• In addition, each year a selection of long-listed individuals will have their work spotlighted by the panel of industry judges
• The honorary Tom Stoddart Award for Excellence may also be given yearly on the judges’ discretion

How to Enter

Candidates applying for the Grant should ensure that their application contains the following information:

• Your name, date of birth, permanent address, personal email address, personal telephone number, and if applicable, college, the course title, and course tutor.
• A portfolio of 12 photographs, either a photo essay or individual photos.
• A project description giving us details of the portfolio you have uploaded for this application
• A clear project proposal explaining what project you would undertake if you received the scholarship.
• Extended captions for each image as a PDF document. 
• Please follow the instructions on our submission form carefully.
• 31 August 2024: Submission deadline
• October 2024: Recipients announcement

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ian Parry Scholarship Prize

UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest 2024 for young people.

Application Deadline Extended:  5 August 2024 . 

Applications are now open for the 2024 UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest. The annual  Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads  International Photo Contest offers an exciting opportunity for young people from all over the world to capture their understanding of the shared heritage of the Silk Roads through the lens of their camera. As the visual arts, and in particular photography, are so often used by today’s youth as a powerful tool for communication and self-expression, images have the potential to play a significant role in raising awareness of the key issues facing our contemporary world and help promote peace and understanding. The photo contest provides an opportunity for young people to connect with one another in a digital space and share their creativity and vision for our future.   

The  Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads  Photo Contest is an opportunity for young people who live or have travelled within these regions to share their perceptions and further their understanding of the common cultural heritage and pluralistic identities emerging from the interactions and exchanges taking place along the Silk Roads. The contest encourages the use of photography to extend these cultural interactions and encounters in the contemporary world, to foster mutual understanding and promote peace amongst the diverse populations encompassed by the Silk Roads.  

• The contest is divided into two age categories: 14-17 year olds, and 18-25 year olds. For the 6th edition of the contest this year participants are invited to submit their photographs that best encapsulate the shared heritage of the Silk Roads the  theme  of  “Life Celebrations” . 
• First place winners will receive a professional camera. Second place winners will receive a semi-professional camera, and the prize for third place will be a standard-model digital camera. 

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNESCO Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads Photo Contest

Yale Drama Series 2025 Playwriting Competition for Emerging Playwrights ( $10,000 prize)

Application Deadline: September 8, 2024.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition. The winning play will be selected by the series’ current judge, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000, publication of their manuscript by Yale University Press, and a celebratory event. The prize and publication are contingent on the playwright’s agreeing to the terms of the publishing agreement.

• This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language. Worldwide submissions are accepted.
• Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages. Plays with less than 65 pages will not be considered.
• Translations, adaptations, musicals, and children’s plays are not accepted.
• The Yale Drama Series is intended to support emerging playwrights. Playwrights may win the competition only once.
• Playwrights may submit only one manuscript per year. Only manuscripts authored by one playwright are eligible.
• Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.
• Plays may not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.
• Plays must be typed/word-processed and page numbered. Plays with images are not accepted.
• The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
• The Yale Drama Series reserves the right of the judge to not choose a winner for any given year of the competition and reserves the right to determine the ineligibility of a winner, in keeping with the spirit of the competition, and based upon the accomplishments of the author.

Electronic Submissions

The Yale Drama Series Competition strongly urges electronic submission. By electronically submitting your script, you will receive immediate confirmation of your successful submission and the ability to check the status of your entry.

Hardcopy Submissions

The Yale Drama Series Competition strongly urges applicants to submit their scripts electronically, but if that is impossible, we will accept hardcopies.

Submissions for the 2025 competition must be postmarked no earlier than June 15, 2024, and no later than September 8, 2024.

If you are submitting a hard copy of your play, the manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title and your name, address, telephone number, email address (if you have one), and page count; and, a second title page that lists the title of the play only, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. Please include a brief biography at the end of the manuscript, on a separate page.

Do not bind or staple the manuscript.

Do not send the only copy of your work. Manuscripts cannot be returned after the competition. If you wish receipt of your manuscript to be acknowledged, please include an email address on the title page or a stamped, self-addressed postcard.

Send the manuscript to Yale Drama Series, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator Competition 2024 for tech innovators in Africa.

Application Deadline: Varying

Applications are now open for the 4th KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition . The Global Tech Innovator competition is helping to accelerate that journey by putting founders and their technology innovations and tech-enabled solutions in the global spotlight. All with the support, guidance and expertise of an extensive network of business professionals during — and after — the competition.

Applicants are typically technology entrepreneurs who are successfully making the transition from the startup phase to the next stage in the growth of their businesses. They have developed innovative, proven technologies, established robust business models, demonstrated traction and have the potential to scale up globally.

To be eligible for the competition, you must:

• Be a registered company in the country/region where the country/region final is being held
• Have been actively operating for 5 years or less (in the current form)
• Generate revenue between US $1 million and $15 million; or have raised at least US $500,000 in equity
• Be either a pure technology or a tech-enabled, tech-driven or tech-led business
• Not be majority owned by a large corporate
• Be able to conduct all pitches in English
• Be available to pitch at a country/region semi-final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin (if applicable)
• Available to pitch virtually at a country/region final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin
• If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the global final in November 2024. 
• Tech innovators and entrepreneurs who are ready to take their innovations and their businesses to new heights.
• Tech innovations and tech-enabled solutions that have the potential to transform entire industries — or even the world.
• If you’ve developed a brilliant tech innovation that’s making a difference — and you’re ready to grow your business — this may be the most important next step you can take to introduce your business and your tech to an audience of key influencers.

National and Global Exposure

Raise awareness of your innovation and your business by showcasing it on a prestigious platform to a national and global audience of industry experts, investors, potential partners and customers. Increase your company’s local profile through business and social media posts that reach tech and business influencers in your country.

Validation and Recognition

Enhance your credibility in the tech industry and potential investors, partners and customers by gaining recognition and validation for your innovation as a finalist (and potential winner) in country and global pitch competitions.

Networking opportunities

The competition is a hub for networking, fostering collaborations, and gaining insights from seasoned professionals. Connect with fellow tech innovators and join a global peer-to-peer network to share ideas and build important connections in a growing community of high-achieving tech entrepreneurs.

Mentorship and Guidance

Access the experience of KPMG mentors and advisers who provide valuable guidance, expertise, and mentorship to refine your innovation and navigate the challenges of scaling up your tech.

Media and Publicity

Gain media coverage and publicity at the regional and global level to boost your innovation’s visibility and market presence and attract potential users, customers and future sources of funding.

Learning and Growth

From the initial application to the regional and global pitch presentations, the competition can be a significant learning experience. Feedback from judges and interactions with other participants can help refine your innovation and presentation skills.

Visit the Official Webpage of the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator Competition

Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2024 for African Tech Innovators and Entrepreneurs ($USD 50,000 in cash prizes)

Application Deadline: July 7, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Ecobank Fintech Challenge. The Ecobank Fintech Challenge is open to all startups with innovative solutions addressing the needs of the African population and its diaspora. It has been created with two objectives in mind:

• Identify and support Fintechs that are ready to scale up with resources, funding, partnerships, etc. in Ecobank’s 33 African markets.
• Leverage these pan-African Fintech success stories and the solutions they offer to improve Africa’s financial integration and economic development.

The Ecobank Fintech Challenge is a Pan-African innovation competition powered by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated. It is designed to identify, support and partner impressive African Fintechs to grow and scale their Fintech innovations across the African continent and globally. The fundamental value offerings of the challenge are market access, visibility and cash prizes.

• All Fintechs with relevant financial products for Africa are eligible to apply to the Ecobank Fintech Challenge.

The Challenge is the ideal launchpad for African Fintech innovators and startups to scale up to the next grand level with full support from Ecobank. It brings together a diverse pool of Africa-focused innovations to solve Africa’s financial inclusion pain points.

Competition Cash prizes The ultimate winner will be awarded a cash prize of $50,000.

Scale Across Borders Opportunity to pursue integration with Ecobank and potentially launch your product in Ecobank’s 35 markets across Africa.

Ecobank Affiliates Partnerships Finalists with impressive products may be selected as country-level partners to local Ecobank affiliates within Ecobank’s 35-country footprint.

Access to Ecobank’s Pan-African Banking Sandbox Fellows will be given access to a dedicated team to support on Ecobank’s API tests to enable them to improve their products for the pan-African market and globally.

Mentoring and networking support All Finalists will be inducted as Ecobank Fintech Fellows, granting them access and relationships to a vast network of global and African accelerators, potential Investors, mentors, and the Ecobank non-bank clients’ ecosystem for potential partnerships.

Integration With Existing Ecobank Digital Offerings The Challenge offers opportunities for Fintechs to potentially integrate with Ecobank’s existing digital offerings.

• 01 June 2024: Application launch
• 02 Early July 2024: Application Window Closes
• 03 Early August 2024: Finalists announcement
• 04 Mid Sep 2024: Innovation Fair & Grand finale
• 05 Oct. – Dec. 2024: Ecobank Fintech Fellowship
• 06 Dec. 2024 – May 2025: Commercial partnership

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge

WFP Niger Innovation Challenge: Energy for Food Security

Application Deadline: 14 June 2024, 11:59 pm (CEST) 

In Niger, communities face significant challenges of food insecurity and vulnerability due to climatic risks like droughts, floods and rising temperatures, coupled with environmental degradation and water scarcity. Heightened insecurity and the spillage of conflicts from neighboring countries into Niger exacerbate these issues, leading to forced displacements. A total of 3.3 million people are acutely food insecure.

To address these challenges, WFP Niger in collaboration with the WFP Innovation Accelerator is launching a call for applications for innovative solutions supporting the  Energy for Food Security programme . This initiative aims to identify and scale  cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions  for cooking and agricultural practices across crisis-affected and stable regions of Niger.

The WFP Innovation Accelerator and WFP Niger will provide comprehensive support to selected teams, facilitating the development and scaling of promising solutions. Our focus is on nurturing innovations that are not only novel but also sustainable and scalable, capable of bringing long-term change within challenging environments.​​

• WFP Niger is looking for both low- and high-tech solutions specifically tailored to strengthen local food systems through the provision of clean cooking and productive uses of energy.
• WFP Niger aims to identify and support innovations from around the world that can effectively address these challenges and are operational or able to be implemented in Niger.
• Your organization must be an established legal entity (for-profit, not-for-profit, social business, NGO, INGO).
• Your organization should have an  existing operational presence  or  willingness to establish a presence in Niger , through a subsidiary, in-country office, distributors or partnerships in the country.
• Your innovation must address one or more of the priority innovation areas listed.
• Your innovation must be at least at the  Minimum Viable Product (MVP)  stage. Proof-of-concept and initial traction are preferred.​​
• Your innovation should have a plan to implement in Niger within a six-month timeframe with the available funding and a clear pathway to scale.

Each selected team:

• will have the opportunity to take part in the  WFP sprint programme , a six-month acceleration programme combined with piloting, business training and mentoring;
• will receive up to US$250,000 conditional funding* towards project implementation. The specific amount will be determined based on the maturity stage of the solution and the three thematic areas listed below.
• will receive ongoing operational support from WFP Niger during piloting;
• may qualify for further support and fundraising opportunities in the future.

* Please note that the final shortlisted teams will be required to go through the WFP vendor registration and procurement process before funding disbursement.

How to apply

• To submit your application, please fill in the  Application Form  by  14 June 2024, 11:59 pm (CEST) .
• We will review and select successful applications in June and July 2024. While we value all applications, please note that we are only able to contact shortlisted applicants. 
• For more information, please refer to the  Call for Applications ,  Solution Specifications  and  Frequently Asked Questions .

Visit the Official Webpage of the WFP Niger Innovation Challenge

Heirs Insurance Essay Competition 2024 for young Nigerian students.

Application Deadline: July 1st, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 Heirs Insurance Essay Championship. The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is an annual essay competition open to school students between JSS1 – JSS3 across Nigeria, with the aim of showcasing the creativity and talent of children.

Essay Topic:

If i could invent something new.

• Essays should be typed and not handwritten.
• Word Count: Not more than 500 words.
• Font Type: Times New Roman.
• Font Size: 13pt.
• Students must write their name, school and class on the essay document.
• Document Format: Word or PDF.
• Document Size: 1MB Max.
• The 1st runner-up will receive a N2 Million scholarship, while the 2nd runner-up will be awarded a N1 Million scholarship

Visit the Official Webpage of the Heirs Insurance Essay Competition

WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition 2024 for young Nigerian Students (Scholarships to attend the WIPO Summer School on IP)

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

Applications are now open for the 2024 WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition. Every year on April 26, WIPO celebrate the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day to learn more about the role that IP rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity, and ultimately in shaping our world. This year’s celebration is themed “IP and SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity”, highlighting the role that IP plays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

This year’s essay theme provides an opportunity for students of tertiary institutions to explore the various ways in which IP can support Nigeria’s goal of a addressing food insecurity. IP is especially important in achieving sustainable agriculture for long term food security in Nigeria. Sustainable agriculture encourages farming methods and systems which meet society’s present needs without negative effects on the environmental quality or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

The essay competition topic  “IP and Sustainable Agriculture: Combating Food Insecurity in Nigeria”  is an opportunity for students to reflect on the relationship between IP and SDG’s, with a primary focus on the opportunities and challenges for harnessing IP towards achieving food security in Nigeria.

The national competition is open to all registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) of recognized  tertiary institutions  in Nigeria; Universities, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics, as well as professional or vocational institutions.

Entry requirements:

• Font- 12 Arial (Black);
• The essay shall be written in English in not less than 500 but not more than 1,500 words (500min- 1500 max), bibliography and references excluded;
• Double-line spacing and page numbered;
• Submissions must be made in word  and  pdf format;
• Do not include any pictures or other graphical illustrations;
• Entries must not contain any indication as to the names, school, number, email address or other means of identification or affiliation of its author and/or any other person;
• Plagiarism of any sort will result in disqualification;
• Submissions received after the announced deadline of May 31, 2024 will not be considered.
• Five (5) scholarship spots to attend the WIPO Summer Schools on Intellectual Property.
• Fellowship spots on the West African Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship.
• Authors of the top 15 essays will receive special WIPO Packages and Certificates of Achievement.
• The top three essays will be submitted to WIPO for possible publication in the WIPO Magazine, subject to WIPO publication schedule and review.
• All authors of winning essays will receive scholarships to undertake any of the WIPO Distance Learning (DL) courses.
• Several other exciting IP learning and professional capacity building prizes will be won!

Visit the Official Webpage of the WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition

Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2024 Global Competition for Students Worldwide (Win $USD250,000 scholarship & more)

Application Deadline:  JUNE 25, 2024 

Applications are now open for the 2024 Breakthrough Junior Challenge Global Competitio n. The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual, global science video competition for high-school students.

To take part in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, create a short video (2:00 – two minutes max) to explain a big idea in one of these fields:

• Mathematics
• Life Sciences

Your film can take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, whatever. It’s worth keeping in mind that video is a dynamic visual medium – using diagrams, simulations, physical demonstrations etc. is a lot more effective than standing in front of a blackboard talking.

The videos will be  judged  according to the following criteria:

• Illumination

If your video is chosen as the  Winner , you will receive

• $250,000 : Post-secondary scholarship
• $50,000 : Prize for your teacher
• $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab

Visit the Official Webpage of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge Global Competition

Call for Entries for Essay Competition: The 2nd Edition of the African Sovereign Debt Justice Network Student/Early Career Essay Competition

• The African Sovereign Debt Justice Network

March 6, 2024                         

Call for Entries for Essay Competition

The 2nd Edition of the African Sovereign Debt Justice Network Student/Early Career Essay Competition Themes:

"Combating Predatory Lending and Austerity-Free Debt Restructuring in Africa"

The African Sovereign Debt Justice Network (AfSDJN) is pleased to announce the 2nd edition of the Essay Competition series.

Aims and Nature of Competition

Through the essay competition, the AfSDJN aims to:

• Encourage a new generation of students and early career researchers in sovereign debt issues from an African perspective.
• Focus scholarly and policy attention on the impact of Predatory Lending and Austerity-driven Debt Restructuring in Africa.

This essay competition addresses two critical aspects of Africa's financial landscape: the Impact of Predatory Lending and Austerity-driven Debt Restructuring:

Theme 1: Predatory Lending by Private Creditors in Africa.

The African borrowing landscape has witnessed a marked increase in private creditor involvement in recent years. This shift has brought concerns about predatory lending practices to the forefront. Such practices often involve high-interest rates and unfavourable terms, trapping countries in cycles of debt that are difficult to escape. These lending practices exacerbate existing economic vulnerabilities and significantly hinder efforts toward sustainable development. The core issues at stake include a lack of transparency, a deficit in accountability, and the absence of fair lending practices. Collectively, these elements contribute to a challenging financial environment for African nations.

                                          Or

Theme 2: Austerity-Free Debt Restructuring Processes in Africa .

Concurrently, many African countries, burdened by high debt levels, are often subjected to austerity measures as part of debt restructuring processes. Typically, these measures involve substantial cuts in public spending, adversely affecting social services and impeding economic growth. However, there is an increasing advocacy for debt restructuring processes that do not rely on austerity. Instead, the focus is shifting towards sustainable, growth-oriented strategies that do not compromise economic and social welfare. The key challenge lies in negotiating debt restructuring terms prioritising economic resilience and the population's well-being, moving away from traditional austerity approaches.

We invite essay submissions from undergraduate and postgraduate students and early career researchers focusing on any of the two themes . Case studies are encouraged, which could be single-country or comparative-country studies. Essays must engage in an analytical discussion of one or more of the research questions related to their chosen theme.

Predatory Lending by Private Creditors in Africa:

• What are the common characteristics and patterns of predatory lending practices by private creditors in Africa? 
• How do predatory lending practices impact the socio-economic development of African countries?
• What legal and regulatory frameworks at the national or international levels can be established or strengthened to prevent predatory lending in African economies?
• How can African countries effectively negotiate with private creditors to avoid predatory terms?
• What role can international financial institutions and regional African bodies play in curbing predatory lending practices?
• What are the legal and policy obligations (including human rights and soft law norms) of private creditors when contracting for sovereign debt with African countries?

Austerity-Free Debt Restructuring Processes in Africa:  

• What are the viable alternatives to austerity measures in debt restructuring for African countries? 
• How have austerity measures in debt restructuring affected social services and economic growth in specific African countries?
• What are the challenges and opportunities in negotiating debt restructuring terms prioritising economic resilience and social welfare?
• How can African countries leverage international support, solidarity and collaboration in pursuing austerity-free debt restructuring?
• What lessons can be learned from successful austerity-free debt restructuring case studies in the global context?

These questions are designed to prompt critical thinking and detailed exploration of the specific issues, encouraging participants to delve into policy analysis, economic theory, legal frameworks, and case studies; Submissions that are too general and descriptive and that do not give examples/evidence of key arguments, will not meet the criteria for this competition.

Author Eligibility

To be eligible, the author must:

• Be currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program in an African University or 
• Be currently enrolled in a postgraduate (Masters or PhD) program in an African University; or
• Have obtained an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from an African University after February 1st, 2020 .

Submission Guidelines

1. Length of submissions: a minimum of 5000 words and a maximum of 7,500, including footnotes.

2. Essays must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman with a one-inch margin on all sides.

3. The essay must be the applicant's original work, supported by a comprehensive list of sources with all propositions supported by appropriate citations. Citations must be in footnote form and contain complete information about the source: author, title, date, page number and if law review volume number, name of review or journal, page number and year. Website citations must contain all source information as well. The best essays will cite original sources rather than secondary sources.

4. Essays on topics other than either of the two current themes of the AfSDJN will not be accepted.

5. Co-authored submissions are not allowed.

6. Essays must be written with clarity. All essays must start with an introduction that briefly summarises the argument(s) pursued, followed by a central part or the body of the paper that eventually flows to a conclusion.

7. Essays can be written in English, French or Portuguese.

8. Essays should not merely be descriptive but should be analytical as well.

9. Authors must submit evidence of their eligibility to participate in the competition i.e., a picture of school identification card for currently enrolled undergraduate and post graduate students, and a copy of degree certificate for those who graduated after February 1st, 2020.

10. Essays must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format. Essays submitted in any other format will not be considered.

11. The deadline for submitting papers is midnight (GMT) on Sunday, May 5th, 2024 .

12. Entries should be emailed to [email protected]

13. For any inquiries about the competition, please get in touch with Dr Ohio Omiunu at [email protected] or Samantha C Kanoyangwa at [email protected]

The Judging Panel will comprise eminent scholars, policy experts and practitioners.

1. The top five papers will win cash prizes: First Prize (USD$500.00). The second, third, fourth and fifth prize winners will each win (USD$250.00).

2. The authors of the top five papers will be invited to present their ideas and published papers at a virtual webinar organised by the AfSDJN.

3. The AfSDJN will also assist authors of 10 selected papers, other than the top five winners, in turning them into policy briefs and offering them a publication opportunity on Afronomicslaw.org.

• Essay Competition
• African Sovereign Debt Justice Network
• Early Career Essay Competition
• Afronomicslaw
• Sovereign Debt

African Liberty Essay Contest 2023: Unlock Cash Prizes & More

Are you an African student with a passion for free speech and a flair for writing? The African Liberty Essay Contest 2023 offers a unique platform to articulate your ideas on protecting free speech in Africa while competing for cash prizes and publication opportunities.

For any African student currently engaged in undergraduate or postgraduate studies at an accredited global institution, the African Liberty Essay Contest 2023 serves as an ideal opportunity to articulate one’s thoughts on a significant social issue. This year’s theme focuses on “Pathways to Protecting Free Speech in Africa: Opportunities for New Approaches to an Old Problem,” inviting students to contribute thought-provoking essays on this crucial subject.

On this page ↓ [Show]

Monetary awards, publishing opportunities, nationality requirements, educational standing, language and formatting, originality and citations, specificity and solution-orientation, application process: how to submit your entry, background: african liberty’s mission and history.

Founded in 2007 as an initiative by the Cato Institute, IMANI Africa, and subsequently the Atlas Network, African Liberty aspires to promote individual freedom, peace, and prosperity across the African continent. By fostering an atmosphere conducive to civil discourse on a myriad of issues—including social, legal, economic, and global topics—the platform enables young African advocates of freedom to gain professional critical writing skills. Through partnerships with Africa-centric think tanks and media outlets, African Liberty aims to propel these emerging voices into careers in journalism and public policy.

Prize Incentives: What Stands to be Gained?

The competition offers an array of cash prizes:

• The winner will receive a $500 cash prize .
• The first runner-up will secure a $300 cash prize .
• The second runner-up will take home a $200 cash prize .
• Additionally, third and fourth runners-up will each receive $100 .

Furthermore, the top five essays will gain exposure by being published on the African Liberty and Students For Liberty platforms.

Eligibility Criteria: Who is Qualified to Apply?

Applicants must possess the nationality of an African nation, thereby confirming their African descent.

Candidates must either be currently enrolled in an accredited university, either within Africa or globally, or have completed their degree not more than three years prior to the application deadline.

Guidelines for Submissions: Quality, Not Quantity

Entries should predominantly be in English, with any non-English terms italicised . Adherence to a 12-point Times New Roman font with justified alignment is required.

The essay must be an original piece of work. Use of footnotes or citations is not permitted, and quotations should be used sparingly.

Essays should demonstrate a solution-oriented approach, providing specific arguments and recommendations. Unique perspectives are highly encouraged.

Entries should be submitted as PDFs, with the writer’s name and email address clearly indicated on the first page. Applicants are invited to submit their essays through this submission link .

For further details on the contest, prospective applicants may visit the official African Liberty Essay Contest page (https://www.africanliberty.org/2023essay/).

The African Liberty Essay Contest 2023 provides a sterling opportunity for young Africans to engage intellectually with the challenges and solutions pertaining to free speech in Africa. With attractive cash prizes and the chance for widespread publication of their essays, participants stand to not only win rewards but also contribute positively to critical discussions affecting the continent.

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African Liberty Essay Contest 2023 for Young Writers | APPLY NOW

This is to inform the general public about the African Liberty Essay Contest 2023 for Young Writers. Details about the Fellowship are given below.

About the African Liberty Writing Fellowship Program 2023

African Liberty is thrilled to announce the application call for its 2023 African Liberty essay competition. The competition is open to any African student currently enrolled in any undergraduate or graduate program at any accredited university worldwide.

Program Details

• Entry should be in English language, with non-English words italicized.
• Entry must be original.
• Entry must be submitted as a PDF with the writer’s name and email address provided on the first page.
• No footnotes or citation
• Quotations should be limited
• Essay must be in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and justified.
• Winner: $500 cash prize
• First runner-up: $300 cash prize
• Second runner-up: $200 cash price
• Third and Fourth runners-up: $100 each.
• The top 5 entries will be published on African Liberty and Students For Liberty platforms.

Eligibility Requirements for the Fellowship

• Must be of African descent by virtue of holding the nationality of an African country
• Must be enrolled in any degree program at any accredited university anywhere in the world or must have completed a degree program in no more than three years from the day of the application deadline.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are to click on this link to apply

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted on or before 31 October 2023.

Follow this link for more details about the African Liberty Writing Fellowship Program 2023.

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African Liberty Essay Competition 2023

African Liberty is thrilled to announce the application call for its 2023 African Liberty essay competition. The competition is open to any African student currently enrolled in any undergraduate or graduate program at any accredited university worldwide. 

The entry application commenced on September 1, 2023, and will close on October 31, 2023.

Essay Title: “Pathways to Protecting Free Speech in Africa: Opportunities for New Approaches to an Old Problem”

Eligibility

• Must be of African descent by virtue of holding the nationality of an African country
• Must be enrolled in any degree program at any accredited university anywhere in the world or must have completed a degree program in no more than three years from the day of the application deadline.
• Word count: 800 maximum
• Entry should be in English language, with non-English words italicized.
• Entry must be original.
• Entry must be submitted as a PDF with the writer’s name and email address provided on the first page.
• No footnotes or citation
• Quotations should be limited
• Essay must be in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and justified.
• Winner: $500 cash prize
• First runner-up: $300 cash prize
• Second runner-up: $200 cash price
• Third and Fourth runners-up: $100 each.
• The top 5 entries will be published on African Liberty and Students For Liberty platforms.

How to Submit Entry

• All entries should be submitted via this link: bit.ly/alessays2023
• Entry must be solution-oriented
• Entry must be specific in arguments and recommendations
• Solutions with unique outlooks are strongly encouraged

African Liberty was founded in 2007 as a project of the Cato Institute and IMANI Africa, thereafter the Atlas Network. It is a platform for advancing individual freedom, peace, and prosperity in Africa by promoting civil discussion and debate about social, legal, economic, and world issues affecting Africans.

Read: List of essay competition in Nigeria

Related posts:

• African Union Continental Essay Competition 2021/2022
• Excellent Minds Initiative Essay Competition For West African Students
• NHEF Scholarship Essay Competition 2023
• Malaria Innovation Essay Competition 2023
• NIMC Essay Competition 2023/2024

Bolarinwa Olajire

La voix et l'action pour la philanthropie africaine !

• Heure de bureau : 09h00 - 17h00

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[email protected], adresse de bureau, samsa real estate, dar es salam, apn essay contest 2023.

Concept Note for the 3 rd APN Essay Contest

Proposed Theme : “African Philanthropy Practice in the age of ongoing Climate Change”

APN Background

Africa Philanthropy Network is the only continent-wide network of organizations and individuals in Africa and its diaspora who promotes the culture of philanthropic giving. It is conceived as a space for African institutions to interrogate and intervene in the power dynamics that shape how resource mobilization, distribution, and spending impact the possibilities of transformative change in Africa. APN’s mission is to reclaim the power and elevate the practices of African philanthropy. In achieving this mission, APN is working in collaboration with its members & other philanthropy support organizations to promote the voice and action of African philanthropy through the building of solidarity and coordinated response in the African philanthropy landscape; rethinking and building the case for the potential for African (individual and community) philanthropy to drive social change.

Brief Insight into the Essay Contest

The APN Essay Contest was created to give a platform for African youth perspectives. As we work towards (re)shaping the narratives around African giving, it is imperative that youth voices are centered. Our first APN Essay contest was hosted in 2021 and focused on drawing inspiration from Africa’s youth on the power of African philanthropy in championing social change. The 2 nd APN Essay Contest was in 2022, and we focused on the theme “the role of African philanthropy in addressing community challenges”, and received the highest number of entries since the launch of the contest.

The theme for the 3 rd APN Writing Contest is: “ African Philanthropy Practice in the age of ongoing Climate Change.” Climate change is currently one of the biggest global health threats in the world. Although Africa contributes to only 2%-3% of global greenhouse emissions, the continent is disproportionally affected. A main takeaway from the 2022 APN Annual Assembly was the idea that meaningful philanthropy needs to simultaneously address current issues, as well as alleviate any future impacts that may hold back our growth. Efforts to mitigate the effects of Climate Change on the continent need to embody this exact outlook. As the threats that climate change posits for our communities worsen, it is imperative that we are proactive in building awareness and mobilizing efforts and resources to support those most affected. We want African youth to take the reins on thought leadership around this global crisis. What is the role of African philanthropic practices amidst the current and future effects of climate change?

Objectives  

The objective of this essay contest is to encourage young Africans to consider the unique and disproportionate ways African communities are impacted by climate change.  We want youth to interrogate the impacts of an ongoing global health issue on communities most relevant to them, and how philanthropic practices have been mobilized (or not) to adopt or mitigate these impacts.

Here are some prompts to help shape your thoughts:

• How climate change and its subsequent effects are affecting African communities?
• How have African communities mobilized to adapt or mitigate the effects climate change has had on them?
• How are other philanthropic actors responding to the increasing effects of climate change on African communities?
• How effective have existing policies (national/ regional/ foreign) been in tackling the effects of climate change?
• What would it look like to have a more enabling environment when it comes to policy change for climate change and sustainability?
• Which communities/population groups have been particularly/uniquely affected by the effects of climate change?
• What would it look like to support communities most impacted by the effects of climate change? (consider innovative solutions perhaps including technology).

Expected Outcome

The expected outcome is an array of perspectives on the disproportionate impact climate change has on African communities, and what is the role of philanthropic practices in mitigating these impacts. We expect to receive in-depth analyses anchored by examples from communities all over the continent. Ultimately, the contest would aim to encourage a generation of young leaders who are raising concerns about this global health crisis and are committed to promoting sustainable, impactful philanthropy-related solutions across the African continent.

Methodology and the Scope

Format and Target Group: The 3 rd APN Writing Contest will invite non-fiction essays from youth aged 18-35.

Coverage: The Contest will cover all African countries

Entry Languages: English and French.

Areas for Focus :  We will use APN’s framework for considering African philanthropic giving models, and how these models can be strengthened with the use of emerging technologies.

Giving within a specific community or direct network

• One-to-one: examples would include giving for the education of direct acquittances/family members.
• Many to one: examples here include mobilizing a neighborhood or village to build a local health center

Giving that happens outside one’s immediate community

• One to many: examples may include funding and supporting a national entrepreneurship program
• Many to many: this may include giving money other for disaster response

Entry Requirements:

• Contact details (emails, social media IDs)
• Copy of national ID or passport
• Passport size photo (jpeg or PNG format, high resolution, 1024 x768 Pics, not more than 7MB)
• Maximum 1500–1800 words, font Arial Narrow, size 11.  References and footnotes are not counted in the word count. Nonadherence will automatically be a disqualification. Plagiarism shall not be tolerated and all entrants are encouraged to cite their work if they intend to use information that is not theirs.

Judging criteria:

Essays will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Originality and creativity
• Relevance to the theme
• Clarity and coherence of ideas
• Feasibility and practicality of the proposed solutions
• Quality of research and references

The essay Contest will take place between 22 nd March 2023 and shall be closed no later than 12 e April 2023 at 17:00 EAT.  The judging panel will evaluate and select the entries to be selected as winners.

Submit your essay and other required document through email to: [email protected] no later than 12 e April 2023 at 17:00 EAT.

APN shall award 10 winners. The first five will receive a monetary award and the last five will receive a certificate.    The table below provides more details:

7 Replies to “APN Essay Contest 2023”

we wish you could consider extending the deadline by at least 2 days.

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September 7, 2024 by Our Reporter

Essay contest winners get reward

Emmanuel CHIDI-MAHA

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Americanism Essay Contest For Grades 7–12

FRA sponsors an annual essay contest to promote the spirit of Americanism and patriotism among our country’s youth. FRA's Americanism Essay Contest is open to all students, grades 7 through 12, including those who are home schooled.  Students are invited to submit a 350-word essay through an FRA member or local FRA branch before the December 1st deadline .  Local winners are forwarded for competition at the regional level and regional winners compete for national prizes.   The grand national winner receives $1,500.  Other winners receive $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place.  Each national winner will receive an attractive plaque citing his/her achievement, and every entrant judged at the national level receives a certificate of recognition. Prizes may be awarded to students winning at local and regional levels of competition.

Find a Sponsor: Find the branch closest to you in the drop down list and click "select" to see the address. This is where you will send your completed essay and cover sheet.

Please Read:

Download the flyer 2024-2025 from the link below (you can fill out the contact information on your computer before you print it!) and post it proudly wherever appropriate--high schools, on-base education offices, commissaries, exchanges, on-base community centers, etc.--to get the word out (you may need permission to post in some locations).

Essay Contest Poster  2024-2025 Essay Cover Sheet  2024-2025 Essay Rules  2024-2025 Congratulations to the 2023–2024 FRA Americanism Essay Contest Winners!

OVERALL WINNER : AMMARA SARWAR, Branch 214, NE/NENG Region

Grade 7 Winners 1 st place: Jasen Ajello                    Branch 226, Northeast New England Region   7th_Grade_1st_ Jasen Ajello 2 nd place: Makayla Marcel             Branch 101, West Cost Region 3 rd place: Izabella Wynn;               Branch 015, Southeast Region

Grade 8 Winners 1st Place: Adeline Maynes            Branch 097, Northwest Region   8th_Grade_1st_Adeline Mayness 2nd Place:  Genevieve Miranda     Branch 070, Southwest  Region  3rd Place: Victoria Senyo              Branch 024, East Coast Region Grade 9 Winners 1st Place:  Caleb Wilhelm              Branch 298, North Central  Region 9th_Grade_1st_Caleb Withelm 2nd Place: Katherine Labao         Branch 302, Southwest Region  3rd Place: Collins Murphy            Branch 264, South Central Region Grade 10 Winners 1st Place: Alexander Zhang         Branch 230, West Cost Region  10th_Grade_1st_Alexander Zhang 2nd Place: Michael Meng             Branch 124, Northeast New England Region  3rd Place: Adrian Orellana           Branch 208, East Coast Region Grade 11 Winners 1st Place: Conner Stevens           Branch 223, North Central Region 11th_Grade_1st_Conner Stevens 2nd Place: Luke Ruiz                    Branch 101, West Cost Region  3 rd Place: Lillian Commeree         Branch 174, Northwest Region

Grade 12 Winners 1st Place: Ammara Sarwar           Branch 214, Northeast New England Region 12th_Grade_1st_Amara Sarwar 2nd Place: Chloe Havener            Branch 055, Northwest Region  3rd Place: Annikka Fetro               Branch 101, West Cost Region

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Cosmos Institute

Your Ideas on Human Autonomy in the AI Age Could Take You to a Feast at Oxford

To celebrate launch week, we are announcing the cosmos essay contest.

Think you can offer a fresh perspective on AI x human flourishing , or new ways to mine the wisdom of the past?

We are pleased to announce the Cosmos Essay Contest , with a prize for the best essay in response to the following question:

How should AI be developed or governed to protect and enhance human autonomy, safeguarding both freedom of thought and freedom of action?

The Essay Prize:

The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip (travel, accommodations, and ticket valued at up to $2,500) to the inaugural Cosmos Feast at the University of Oxford’s Museum of Natural History on November 15th, 2024.

This Feast is an exclusive gathering of ~100 visionary leaders in tech, academia, and philanthropy, confronting urgent challenges and charting a course for AI to serve humanity's highest aspirations. 

You'll engage in mind-expanding dialogues, meet inspiring leaders and new collaborators, and enjoy an enchanting black-tie dinner under the dinosaurs at one of the world's most beautiful campuses. 

You will also be invited to join an afternoon symposium prior to the Feast, to explore philosophy and AI research directions that extend human reason and a culture of freedom, both in the present and in the far future.

Key Contest Information:

Entries should be a maximum of 2,500 words in length and are to be submitted as a PDF document through this online form .

The deadline for entries is 11:59 pm CST on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024.

We welcome a blend of philosophical insight with technical vision.

Not a natural writer? We value the quality of ideas over exposition, so don't be deterred if your background is technical or expertise isn't prose.

The winning submission may be published on the Cosmos Substack.

For more details, see the terms and conditions in the online form above.

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