British Council IAU Enterprise and Innovation Challenge 2025 – Call for Ecosystem Partner (£60,000 Grant)

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Application Deadline: 31 October 2025 (17:00 GMT)

The British Council has officially launched the Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Enterprise and Innovation Challenge 2025, presenting a unique funding opportunity for organisations and institutions committed to advancing enterprise and innovation across Africa. This open call seeks an experienced ecosystem partner to design and deliver a comprehensive programme of mentoring and support for student-led ventures in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Strengthening Higher Education and Innovation in Africa

The IAU Enterprise and Innovation Challenge is part of the British Council’s broader initiative to strengthen higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems across Africa. The programme focuses on five core areas:

  • Enabling research – fostering collaborations that address local and global challenges through research, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
  • Internationalising higher education and TVET – supporting transnational education and alignment with international standards.
  • Strengthening systems and institutions – enhancing the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of African institutions.
  • Enhancing learner outcomes – equipping students with essential soft skills, improving employability, and strengthening community engagement.
  • Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion – ensuring that education and innovation are more accessible, equitable, and accountable.

Through this challenge, the British Council is encouraging ecosystem partners to build stronger bridges between higher education institutions, industries, and communities, ensuring that innovation thrives beyond the classroom.

Programme Scope and Focus Areas

The selected ecosystem partner will work directly with 16 student teams drawn from universities in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Each team consists of five students developing ventures in key growth areas such as:

  • Digital enterprises
  • Green enterprises
  • Social enterprises
  • Hybrid ventures combining these focus areas

The partner will be responsible for conducting baseline SWOT analyses, designing tailored capacity-building frameworks, mentoring students, and providing the strategic support needed to scale and commercialise their ventures. This holistic approach ensures that each project moves beyond ideation to sustainable and impactful enterprise development.

Grant Size and Funding Information

The call offers a maximum grant value of £60,000, with only one award available. This highlights the competitive nature of the programme and underscores the importance of a strong and well-structured application. Funding will cover activities from November 2025 through June 2026.

Applications must be jointly developed by one UK lead institution and one lead institution from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or South Africa.

Eligible UK leads include:

  • Higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers
  • Not-for-profit research organisations
  • Organisations within the TVET/FE sector

Eligible African leads include:

  • Higher education providers
  • Not-for-profit research organisations
  • TVET/FE institutions

Associated partners from academia, civil society, government, or industry may also join, though for-profit non-education organisations cannot receive grant funds beyond travel expenses.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 31 October 2025 (17:00 GMT)
  • Results Announcement: 15 November 2025
  • Contract Signing: By 30 November 2025
  • Grant Period: November 2025 – June 2026

Why This Matters

The IAU Enterprise and Innovation Challenge offers more than just funding; it provides a platform to accelerate Africa’s innovation landscape. By bridging the gap between higher education and industry, this initiative will foster entrepreneurship, create job opportunities, and support ventures tackling critical challenges in digitalisation, sustainability, and social impact.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE

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