Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2027
Royal Academy of Engineering · UK
Overview
The Africa Prize backs sub-Saharan African engineers commercialising an engineering innovation, combining cash prizes with eight months of structured business support. It is judged in two stages: a Stage 1 submission on the applicant and the technology, assessed by two technical experts for viability, and a Stage 2 longlist round requiring a business plan, market analysis, financial projections and a commercialisation strategy. It rewards a working innovation with a route to market, not a research proposal.
Eligibility
The lead applicant must be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country. University researchers and spin-outs can apply where they hold the innovation, but the assessment is commercial — the full eligibility conditions are in the 2027 Africa Prize Application Guidance Notes, which the Academy requires applicants to read first.
What is funded
Prize money to the winner and runners-up, plus eight months of training in business modelling, financial management, pitching and market entry, mentoring, and access to the Academy's engineering and investor networks.
What is not funded
Research without a product; concepts that exist only on paper with no demonstrated technology; applications led by non-sub-Saharan-African citizens. Detailed exclusions are in the guidance notes.
How to apply
Apply through the Royal Academy of Engineering Grant Management System, selecting 'Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2026/2027 Stage 1'. Stage 1 takes roughly 90 minutes and needs a CV, technical documentation, images and video. Queries to africaprize@raeng.org.uk.
Timeline: Information sessions 23 July, 12 August and 25 August 2026 | Stage 1 closes 8 September 2026, 16:00 UTC+1 | Stage 2 business plans from longlisted applicants | Eight-month programme for shortlisted innovators