About the opportunity
The Research & Innovation for Climate (RICH) Hub, hosted by the Local Development Research Institute (LDRI) under the AI4D initiative, is seeking African-led and Africa-based climate AI innovations. The initiative aims to build a pipeline of data-driven solutions that address pressing climate resilience and environmental challenges across the continent. By identifying solutions already tested in real-world settings, the hub provides technical assistance, partnership opportunities, and potential financial support to help innovators overcome barriers to implementation and scale.
Funding and benefits
- Potential scaling grants of up to $200,000, subject to eligibility, stage of development, and available resources
- Technical and innovation assistance, coaching, and mentorship
- Piloting and research collaboration opportunities
- Access to ecosystem connections and knowledge exchange networks
- Enhanced visibility through scaling partnerships and inclusion in an optional public Climate AI Innovation Database
Who can apply?
- Must be African-led or Africa-based climate AI innovators, researchers, startups, organizations, or solution developers
- Must address a clearly defined climate or environmental challenge relevant to African communities, ecosystems, institutions, or economies
- Must utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and/or data-driven technologies as a core, meaningful component of the proposed solution
- Must have reached at least the pilot stage, actively testing or deploying the solution with intended communities, end users, or organizations
- Must demonstrate viable potential for further development, adoption, and scaling
Required documents
- Completed online Climate AI Innovation Expression of Interest Form (covering innovation details, stage of deployment, and organizational profile)
When to apply
- Applications are accepted on a continuous, rolling basis
- Innovators are encouraged to submit their expressions of interest whenever ready to be considered for emerging support and funding opportunities
How to apply
- Navigate to the official online Google Form: RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation Expression of Interest Form
- Provide verified information about your team, technology, target environmental challenge, and real-world pilot results
- Indicate whether you voluntarily consent to have non-confidential details featured in the public Climate AI Innovation Database
- Submit the completed form directly through the platform
Additional information
- Submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee selection, direct technical support, or grant funding
- Consent to be listed in the public Climate AI Innovation Database is voluntary and does not impact assessment for RICH Hub opportunities
- Inquiries and questions regarding the call can be directed to comms@developlocal.org
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Early-stage to growth-stage African tech ventures and researchers with an active AI pilot addressing measurable local environmental or climate challenges
- Teams seeking structured technical coaching and institutional ecosystem access rather than just non-dilutive financial capital
- Solutions that have already established pilot validation with real user groups or community stakeholders in Africa
What should you think carefully about?
- Grant funding up to $200,000 is contingent on hub resources and formal evaluation; an EOI serves merely as entry into the potential pipeline
- Pure conceptual models or early-stage lab prototypes without field testing or active user pilots do not meet the minimum readiness threshold
- Rolling intake means timelines for review, feedback, and cohort onboarding are not anchored to a single fixed evaluation date
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity is particularly valuable for African founders, academic researchers, and social enterprises seeking to bridge the gap between initial pilot validation and widespread continental deployment. Joining the RICH Hub pipeline helps ventures access visibility, strategic scaling partners, and non-dilutive capital without the immediate pressure of rigid call windows.
Our take
African technology teams and startups with functioning, field-tested AI climate applications should strongly consider submitting an EOI to access ongoing visibility and funding pipelines; teams at pure ideation or theoretical stages should wait until they have deployed an active pilot.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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