Filtered for educators, researchers, and EdTech founders who are doing real work.
Let me be honest with you. There is a lot of money on the table right now, and most of the people who deserve it have no idea it exists. Not because the opportunities are hidden, but because tracking them is exhausting, the eligibility language is dense, and nobody has time to do the research while also building a curriculum, running a platform, or designing learning experiences at scale.
That is exactly what this piece is for. I have gone through the noise, filtered for what is actually relevant to educators, instructional designers, researchers, and EdTech founders, and pulled together the opportunities that are live right now, with enough context for you to decide in three minutes whether it is worth your time to apply.
A word before we dive in: not every grant is for every organisation. Read the eligibility criteria carefully. But do not self-select out before you have read it. Some of the best fits I have seen are the ones that looked like a stretch at first glance. Keep reading, the EdTech Funding tracker at the end of this article will save you hours.
SECTION 1: GRANTS FOR EDTECH ORGANISATIONS & PLATFORMS
These are direct funding opportunities for organisations building, researching, or delivering education technology. Whether you are an early-stage startup, a research institute, or a nonprofit working on digital learning access.
African Union — Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) 2026African Union, Department of Education, Science, Technology & Innovation
| Amount | Up to $50,000 USD |
| Deadline | 30 April 2026 — URGENT |
| Geography | AU Member States (all 55 countries) |
| Apply | https://au.int/en/announcements/20260331/call-submissions-innovating-education-africa-2026 |
This is the flagship continental grant for African education innovators, and the 2026 edition has explicitly expanded to include AI, EdTech, and digital tools. If your organisation is based in an AU member state, is legally registered, and has a proven education innovation with real results, this is a five-star fit. The grant comes with more than funding: AU Expo participation, inclusion in the Africa Education & Skills Innovations Handbook 2026, and direct access to continental policy dialogue. One submission per organisation.
Dovetail Acceleration Program 2026 — Catalyst TrackDovetail Impact Foundation
| Amount | Up to $30,000 USD (unrestricted) + structured coaching |
| Deadline | 28 April 2026 — URGENT |
| Geography | Africa (locally-led organisations) |
| Apply | https://dovetailimpact.org/acceleration-program |
Dovetail pairs unrestricted grant funding with a full year of capacity-building support: brand communications, M&E frameworks, fundraising advisory, and peer learning. Since 2021, they have disbursed over $6M to 130+ African organisations. The Catalyst Track is designed for early-stage orgs with at least two years of operations and a clear mission with traction. If you are building in African EdTech and you are pre-scale, this is the kind of funding that actually helps you get ready for the next stage
Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants 2026Cisco Foundation
| Amount | Up to $75,000 USD |
| Deadline | Verify current cycle at Cisco Foundation website |
| Geography | Global (Africa included) |
| Apply | https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/csr/community/nonprofits.html |
Cisco’s grants focus on NGOs and nonprofits using technology for digital equity and education, which is precisely the frame that EdTech organisations should be using. If your platform or programme demonstrates how technology is expanding access to quality learning, this is a strong fit. Cisco has particular respect for organisations that can demonstrate impact metrics and show credibility with other technology backers (AWS, NVIDIA, Microsoft for Startups partnerships are relevant here). Verify the current application cycle before you apply.
FCI4Africa Open Call 1FCI4Africa Programme
| Amount | Up to €50,000 per project (total fund: €400,000, 8 projects) |
| Deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Geography | Africa |
| Apply | https://fci4africa.eu/ |
This programme funds researchers, startups, and tech innovators building solutions that strengthen Africa’s research and technology ecosystem. Projects can focus on improving existing technologies, developing new tools, or generating high-quality datasets for innovation. If you are working at the intersection of EdTech and African research infrastructure, and can frame your work in those terms, this is worth the application.
OPEC Fund for International Development — Small GrantsOPEC Fund (OFID)
| Amount | Up to $100,000 USD |
| Deadline | Rolling — no fixed deadline |
| Geography | Non-OPEC developing countries (Kenya and most of Africa eligible) |
| Apply | https://opecfund.org/what-we-offer/grants |
OFID’s small grants support technical assistance and capacity-building projects with measurable development impact. Education is a priority sector. The framing that works here is capacity-building for educators and digital learning infrastructure, not product development. Rolling deadline means you can apply when your materials are ready, but do not wait indefinitely. Download the application form from their website and email directly to SPES-GTA@opecfund.org.
Draper Richards Kaplan FoundationDraper Richards Kaplan Foundation
| Amount | Up to $300,000 USD over 3 years (flexible funding) |
| Deadline | Rolling basis |
| Geography | Global — open to for-profit and nonprofit organisations |
| Apply | https://www.drkfoundation.org/apply/overview/ |
DRK is highly selective, but they fund social enterprises driving meaningful impact in education, health, climate, and economic opportunity. This is a multi-year partnership, not a one-off grant. What makes DRK different is the hands-on operational and strategic support from their partners alongside the funding. If you have initial traction and a strong mission-driven leadership team, and your work is in education, this is worth a serious look. Strong evidence of impact and scalability is non-negotiable for the application.
SECTION 2: FELLOWSHIPS FOR RESEARCHERS & FOUNDERS
Fellowships are often overlooked by founders and practitioners who see them as ‘academic’ opportunities. Do not make that mistake. The best fellowships come with stipends, networks, and legitimacy that money alone cannot buy. And many of them are looking specifically for people who are building in the field, not just writing about it.
Mastercard Foundation EdTech FellowshipMastercard Foundation
| Amount | Significant fellowship support (details confirmed per cohort) |
| Deadline | Cohort 5 — monitor for late 2026 / 2027 opening |
| Geography | Africa (African EdTech researchers and practitioners) |
| Apply | https://mastercardfdn.org/all/scholars/edtech-fellowship/ |
This is the gold standard for African EdTech practitioners. The fellowship directly targets the intersection of research, EdTech practice, and African education impact, and comes with both funding and genuine platform. Cohort 4 has closed, but monitoring for Cohort 5 is essential. If you are building a research-grounded EdTech programme in Africa, start preparing your materials now so you are ready when applications open. Published research, platform evidence, and demonstrated impact will all strengthen your case.
Blue Ridge Labs Founder Fellowship (Robin Hood Foundation)Blue Ridge Labs / Robin Hood Foundation
| Amount | $20,000 stipend |
| Deadline | 3 May 2026 |
| Geography | Global (early-stage founders focused on social impact) |
| Apply | https://robinhood.org/our-work/blue-ridge-labs/founder-fellowship/ |
No prototype required. That is the key sentence for this fellowship. It is designed for early-stage founders with an idea and the drive to build. The fellowship is approximately 20 weeks (June to November 2026) and pairs the stipend with structured support. If you are at the concept or early validation stage and your work connects to social impact in education or access, this is a genuine opportunity. Apply before May 3.
CIP Research Fellowship — Pilot CohortCentre for Information Policy (CIP)
| Amount | $9,000 stipend |
| Deadline | 15 May 2026 |
| Geography | Global — fully remote |
| Apply | https://www.cip.org/research-fellowship |
A six-month remote fellowship for researchers working on AI, public values, and democratic governance using large-scale global datasets on public attitudes toward AI. What stands out: they are explicitly not selecting on prestige or institutional affiliation. They want researchers who will produce rigorous, original work and who are genuinely motivated by the research questions. If AI governance, public trust, and education intersect in your work, this deserves serious attention.
DSSGx Munich FellowshipData Science for Social Good (DSSGx Munich)
| Amount | Stipend provided |
| Deadline | 24 April 2026 |
| Geography | Global (talented data scientists) |
| Apply | https://www.dssgxmunich.org/call-for-fellows |
This fellowship places data scientists in social good projects, which can include EdTech and education research. If your background includes data science and your interests align with using that capability for social impact, this is worth exploring. Note the April 24 deadline. If this issue reaches you in time, move quickly.
SECTION 3: AI-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES
If your work sits at the intersection of AI and education, whether you are researching it, building it, or teaching with it, there are specific funding streams designed for exactly that intersection. Here are the ones worth knowing about right now.
Grand Challenges — AI to Accelerate Charitable GivingGrand Challenges (Global)
| Amount | Up to $150,000 USD |
| Deadline | Verify current cycle |
| Geography | Global |
| Apply | https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/artificial-intelligence-ai-accelerate-charitable-giving |
This challenge funds innovative solutions using AI to transform philanthropy and charitable giving, which includes funding access for education-focused organisations. If your work involves AI tools that could improve how education funding flows, how impact is measured, or how communities connect with resources, this is a direct fit. The frame is AI + social good, and the grant size is significant.
a16z Speedrun AcceleratorAndreessen Horowitz (a16z)
| Amount | $500K upfront + $500K follow-on + $5M+ in credits | 12 weeks in San Francisco |
| Deadline | 17 May 2026 |
| Geography | Global — visa support available |
| Apply | https://speedrun.a16z.com/apply |
This is venture-scale, not grant-scale, but it is worth naming because the door is explicitly open to founders from anywhere in the world, including Africa. The programme offers $500K upfront, $500K in your next round, and over $5M in credits, plus 12 weeks in San Francisco with visa support. If you are building an AI-powered EdTech product with commercial scale ambitions, this is the programme to apply to. May 17 deadline.
Spärck AI Scholarship — University of ManchesterUniversity of Manchester / UK Government
| Amount | Full tuition + stipend (~£20,780/year, aligned with UKRI minimum) |
| Deadline | 30 April 2026 |
| Geography | Global — home and international students eligible |
| Apply | https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/fees-and-funding/masters-student-funding/sparck-ai-scholarship/ |
A prestigious UK government-backed scholarship for Master’s-level study in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Manchester. Open to both home and international students. If you are at the stage where formal postgraduate training in AI would advance your EdTech research or product work, this scholarship removes the financial barrier entirely. Strong deadline pressure, April 30.
SECTION 4: CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITIES WORTH KNOWING
Not every opportunity is a grant or fellowship. Some of the most valuable work and most consistent income for EdTech professionals comes from consultancy engagements with major multilateral organisations. These two are open right now.
UNESCO Consultancy — AI & Learning CitiesUNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
| Amount | Paid consultancy — rates not publicly specified |
| Deadline | 27 April 2026 — CLOSES TODAY |
| Geography | Global (remote with possible travel to learning city events) |
| Apply | https://careers.unesco.org/job/Hamburg-Consultant-Consultant-AI-and-Digitalisation-in-Learning-Cities/1358564457/ |
UNESCO is seeking a consultant to help establish and co-lead a new global workstream on AI and digitalisation within the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The consultant will co-design the Global AI Learning Cities Accelerator, develop capacity-building products on AI and lifelong learning, and contribute to the 7th International Conference on Learning Cities. This is exactly the intersection of AI governance, education, and global systems, and it is a significant platform. If you are reading this on publication day, apply immediately.
UNICEF Global Long-Term Arrangement — Education ConsultancyUNICEF
| Amount | Framework contract (rates by engagement) |
| Deadline | 8 May 2026 |
| Geography | Global |
| Apply | https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/297949 |
UNICEF has launched a new Global Long-Term Arrangement for consultancy services in education. Covering digital learning, curriculum design, education research, monitoring and evaluation, and learning assessment. This is a framework contract, meaning firms accepted onto the roster can be called on for multiple engagements over the contract period. If your organisation has the capacity to deliver at this scale, this is the kind of long-term positioning that changes your revenue profile.
BEFORE YOU APPLY: THREE THINGS THAT MATTER
I have seen a lot of applications fail not because the work was not good enough, but because the framing was wrong. Here is what consistently makes the difference:
- Evidence of real impact. Numbers, not intentions. If you have run a pilot, publish the results, even informally. A preprint, a case study, a documented cohort outcome. Funders at every level are looking for proof that something has already worked, even at small scale.
- A credible organisation behind the work. Registration status, prior funder validation (even in-kind), and a named leadership team signal organisational readiness. Get this infrastructure in place before you apply for anything significant.
- The right frame for the right funder. The same work can be framed as capacity-building, digital equity, AI innovation, or community access, depending on who you are applying to. Read the funder’s language carefully and mirror it intentionally. You are not misrepresenting your work; you are helping the funder see the part of it that matches their mandate.
The tracker linked below covers every opportunity in this article, plus additional ones. With deadlines, eligibility, and direct application links.
Download it, adapt it to your context, and use it as your working document through the 2026 funding cycle. If this piece surfaced something useful for you, share it with one person in your network who is building in education. The work does not find the funding on its own, but the right connections can change that. Follow Janet’s opportunities coverage at groundingedtech.fayedu.com and subscribe for updates when new opportunities open.
Good work deserves good funding. Go get it.
Janet Mwaura covers funding opportunities, fellowships, and grants for the global EdTech and education community at Grounding EdTech Magazine.
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