Description

The African Union Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation invites innovators to submit practical education innovations with the potential for sustainability, scalability and replication across Africa.

Deadline: 30 April 2026 at 23:00 EAT (GMT+3)

About IEA

Established in 2018 by the African Union, Innovating Education in Africa (IEA) identifies, promotes, and supports systemic adoption and replication of transformative innovations across education and training systems in Africa. Since inception, IEA has engaged over 1,500 education stakeholders, promoted 180 innovations, and mobilized up to USD 1 million to support scaling and validation. In 2026, IEA expands its scope to explicitly support innovation in Basic Education, Higher Education, TVET, Digital Systems, Green Skills, AI and Robotics ecosystems across Africa.

Thematic Focus Areas

1. Innovation in Basic and Secondary Education: foundational literacy and numeracy technologies; teacher professional development innovations; AI-enabled assessment and adaptive learning; and inclusive and gender-responsive education technologies.

2. Innovation in Higher Education and STI Ecosystems: university-industry innovation hubs; research commercialization platforms; digital universities and hybrid learning ecosystems; robotics and advanced STEM centres of excellence; and STI infrastructure for education including laboratories, incubators, and science parks.

3. Innovation in TVET and Skills Development: digital and AI-integrated TVET training models; robotics, automation and advanced manufacturing training; green and climate-responsive skills development; industry-led apprenticeship and dual training systems; and skills mobility and certification frameworks aligned with AfCFTA.

4. AI, Robotics and Emerging Technologies in Education: robotics labs in schools and TVET institutions; AI-powered skills forecasting tools; simulation-based technical training systems; innovation hubs for youth tech entrepreneurship; and AI ethics, governance, and data privacy in education.

Eligibility

Applications are accepted from citizens of AU Member States leading an organisation that meets the following criteria:

• Successfully implementing an education innovation in one or more AU Member States with verifiable outcomes
• Legally registered and licensed to operate in an AU Member State
• Directly responsible for the implementation and management of the innovation, not acting as an intermediary
• Demonstrates potential for integration into public systems and alignment with continental frameworks including CESA 2026-2035, CTVET 2025-2034, and STISA-2034

Representatives from academia, national research and innovation centres, science parks, and technology transfer offices are particularly encouraged to apply under the Higher Education and STI Ecosystems pillar. Only one innovation per organisation may be submitted. Past IEA grant recipients are not eligible.

Benefits for Successful Applicants

• Grants of up to USD 50,000 to strengthen interoperability with public education and TVET systems
• Promotion to AU Member States, RECs and development partners, including publication in the Africa Education and Skills Innovations Handbook 2026
• Certificate of Recognition from the AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation
• Capacity building support from partner organisations
• Structured engagement opportunities with Member States to inform national policy dialogues
• Participation in the 2026 Innovating Education in Africa Expo and Ministerial Policy Dialogue
• Contribution to the Continental Policy Toolkit on Digital, Greening, AI, and Robotics Integration in TVET and Higher Education
• Inclusion in the Brief on AI Readiness in African Education Systems and the IEA 2026 Innovation Catalog

Evaluation and Selection Process

Evaluation criteria include innovation and distinctiveness; scalability and sustainability; evidence of measurable impact; interoperability with public systems; industry relevance for TVET innovations; climate and gender responsiveness; alignment with CTVET-34 and STISA-2034 priorities; and potential for research commercialization and technology transfer.

How to Apply

Submit online in English or French. Include:

1. A brief statement of the challenge being addressed (100 words).
2. Description of the innovation, specifically how it functions, the implementation approach, the revenue model, and alignment with CESA, CTVET-34, STISA-2034, and/or AU Continental AI Strategy priorities (500 words).
3. Report on the performance and outcomes of the innovation (500 words).
4. Description of how the innovation contributes to digital transformation, greening, AI integration (including ethics), robotics capacity, STI infrastructure, research commercialization, or skills alignment with industry (where applicable).
5. Documentation of business registration and license of operation.