Applications are currently open for the 2027 Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Established by the Royal Academy of Engineering, this program stands as Africa's largest prize dedicated to engineering innovation. It provides commercialisation support to African innovators who are developing scalable engineering solutions to address local challenges, underscoring the importance of engineering in improving quality of life and driving economic development.
Applicant Requirements
• Applicants may apply as individuals or on behalf of a team.
• The applicant must be a citizen of a country in sub-Saharan Africa. For teams, the lead applicant must be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country.
• The applicant must be ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa; any time spent overseas must be temporary for purposes such as studies.
• Applicants must be over the age of 18 at the time of the application deadline, with no upper age limit.
• A high level of English proficiency is required to fully participate in the programme, and the application must be submitted in English.
• Alumni of the Africa Prize, or individuals who were part of a team, business, or innovation that has previously participated, are not eligible.
• Industrial researchers and establishments are not eligible to apply.
• Alumni of the Academy’s Advance programme or the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship (LIF) programme who participated after June 2024 are not eligible. LIF alumni who participated before June 2024 may be eligible if they can demonstrate why participation in the Africa Prize is necessary and will add value to them and their business.
Program Benefits
Up to 16 shortlisted participants will receive a unique benefits package designed to accelerate their business, which includes:
• An eight-month tailored training programme.
• Two fully-funded training weeks, one held in the UK and another in a major African city.
• Access to business, technical, and sector-specific engineering mentoring.
• Bespoke press coverage and communications support.
• Access to the Academy’s network of high-profile engineers and business experts in the UK and Africa.
• An opportunity for finalists to present their innovation to a judging panel at the Africa Prize showcase event.
• Prize money of up to £50,000.
Application Process and Timeline
The Africa Prize utilizes a two-stage application process. The first stage is open to all eligible applicants, with only longlisted innovations being invited to proceed to the second stage.
• Stage 1 – Technical Assessment: This stage covers eligibility criteria and technical innovation details for assessment of feasibility, innovation potential, and engineering merit. Stage 1 applications close on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, at 4:00 PM UTC+1. Applications are checked for eligibility and reviewed by technical experts in September 2026.
• Stage 2 – Business Assessment: This stage focuses on business elements such as financial projections, market analysis, and strategy. Long-listed applicants will be invited to complete Stage 2 in October 2026.
• Shortlist Selection: The judging panel will select the shortlist by December 2026.
• Notification: All applicants will be notified of the outcome by January 2027.
For more detailed information and to access the application portal, prospective applicants should visit the official webpage for the Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.