The Research and Innovation for Climate (RICH) Hub is inviting African climate innovators, researchers, startups and organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for Climate AI Innovation opportunities aimed at strengthening climate resilience across Africa. The initiative supports innovations that use artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven technologies and research to address climate change and environmental challenges. Eligible innovations must have reached at least the pilot stage, meaning the opportunity is intended for initiatives with demonstrated progress rather than ideas that remain purely conceptual. Selected innovators may gain access to technical assistance, coaching, research collaboration, pilot opportunities, ecosystem connections and partnerships to support scaling. Eligible initiatives may also access potential scaling grants of up to US$200,000, subject to eligibility requirements and available resources. Expressions of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing eligible applicants to express interest without a single fixed deadline stated in the announcement. RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation 2026: Overview Opportunity: RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation Programme: AI4D Research and Innovation for Climate Hub Focus areas: Climate AI, environmental innovation, climate resilience and data-driven technologies Eligible applicants: African climate innovators, researchers, startups and organisations Geographic focus: Africa Innovation stage: Pilot stage or beyond Potential funding: Scaling grants of up to US$200,000, subject to eligibility and available resources Additional support: Technical assistance, coaching, research, piloting, partnerships and visibility Application method: Online Expression of Interest Deadline: Rolling basis Application fee: No fee is mentioned in the announcement About the RICH Hub Climate AI Initiative The RICH Hub seeks to strengthen the development and application of climate-focused artificial intelligence and data-driven innovations across Africa. Through the AI4D Research and Innovation for Climate Hub, the initiative aims to connect promising solutions with the expertise, research support and partnerships needed to address environmental challenges. Climate change creates significant challenges for African communities, including droughts, floods, changing rainfall patterns, food insecurity, biodiversity loss and pressure on natural resources. AI and data-driven technologies can help communities, researchers and institutions better understand climate risks, improve forecasting, strengthen adaptation strategies and support evidence-based environmental decision-making. The programme provides a potential pathway for innovators to develop, test and scale solutions with practical applications in African contexts. Who Can Apply? The call is intended for African climate AI innovators, researchers, startups and organisations developing solutions that address climate or environmental challenges. Applicants should have an innovation that uses AI, data-driven technologies or related approaches to improve climate resilience. The proposed solution must have reached the pilot stage or beyond. Potential applicants may include: African startups developing AI-powered climate solutions. Researchers working on climate modelling, environmental data or adaptation technologies. Organisations developing digital tools for climate resilience. Innovation teams testing technology-based responses to environmental challenges. Climate technology initiatives seeking research partnerships, technical support or opportunities to scale. The announcement does not provide a complete list of eligibility conditions, country-specific restrictions or legal requirements for applicants. Interested organisations should review the official Expression of Interest form before submitting. Priority Areas and Potential Innovation Themes The call invites innovations addressing relevant climate and environmental challenges. Although the announcement does not provide an exhaustive list of priority sectors, possible applications of climate AI include: Climate risk and early warning systems: AI-powered tools that analyse weather and environmental data to improve the identification of droughts, floods and other climate-related risks. Climate-smart agriculture: Data-driven solutions that help farmers make informed decisions about crop production, irrigation, soil management and changing weather conditions. Water resource management: Technologies that support water monitoring, drought preparedness and more efficient allocation of water resources. Environmental monitoring: AI applications that help monitor ecosystems, biodiversity, deforestation, land degradation and other environmental changes. Climate adaptation and resilience: Digital tools that support communities, governments and organisations in planning for climate impacts and improving their response strategies. These are illustrative examples, not a confirmed list of exclusive RICH Hub funding categories. Applicants should verify that their proposed innovation aligns with the programme’s current priorities. What Support Can Selected Innovators Receive? Selected innovations may benefit from several forms of support designed to strengthen their technical capacity, partnerships and potential for wider adoption. Technical support: Assistance to improve or refine climate-focused innovations. Coaching: Guidance to strengthen innovation development and implementation. Research opportunities: Potential collaboration with relevant researchers and institutions. Piloting opportunities: Support for testing and demonstrating solutions in practical settings. Ecosystem connections: Access to relevant networks and stakeholders. Visibility: Opportunities to increase awareness of promising climate AI innovations. Scaling partnerships: Connections that may help solutions expand their reach and impact. Potential scaling grants: Funding of up to US$200,000, subject to eligibility and available resources. The maximum grant amount should not be interpreted as guaranteed funding for every applicant. The announcement does not specify a standard award amount, funding timetable or grant conditions. How to Apply Interested innovators should submit an Expression of Interest through the official online form. Review the RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation announcement and its objectives. Confirm that the proposed solution addresses a relevant climate or environmental challenge in Africa. Prepare a clear description of the innovation, the problem it addresses, its intended beneficiaries and its current stage of development. Explain how AI or data-driven technologies contribute to the solution and how it could strengthen climate resilience. Highlight evidence of pilot implementation, early results or other progress demonstrating that the innovation has moved beyond the conceptual stage. Submit the Expression of Interest using the official application form and follow any additional instructions provided. Applicants should be prepared to explain the innovation’s potential impact, technical approach, scalability and relevance to African climate challenges. The exact supporting documents and detailed assessment criteria should be confirmed through the application form. Application Deadline Expressions of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis. The announcement does not specify a final closing date. Applicants should consult the official call and submit their Expression of Interest when their innovation is ready. Official Application Links SUBMIT YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST READ THE FULL OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AI4D RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR CLIMATE HUB How to Strengthen Your Expression of Interest Applicants should clearly demonstrate that their innovation addresses a specific climate or environmental problem and has progressed beyond the idea stage. Evidence such as pilot results, user feedback, technical demonstrations, research findings or partnerships may help explain the solution’s readiness for further development. The application should also describe who benefits from the innovation, how it could be adapted to other African communities or regions, and what technical or partnership support is needed to scale it. Where relevant, applicants should explain how the solution will remain practical, inclusive and responsive to local environmental conditions. The RICH Hub Climate AI Innovation call presents a potential opportunity for African innovators to strengthen climate-focused technologies, build research and implementation partnerships, and explore funding for scaling solutions with demonstrated potential. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.