Halcyon Climate Resilience & Food Security in Africa Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded Fellowship for African Entrepreneurs
- Omran Aburayya
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
If you are a founder or entrepreneur developing innovative solutions that strengthen climate adaptation, resilience, or food security across Africa, applications are now open for the Halcyon Climate Resilience & Food Security in Africa Fellowship 2026. This prestigious program empowers early-stage entrepreneurs building scalable ventures addressing critical sustainability challenges on the continent. Through a hybrid model combining in-person residencies and virtual sessions, selected founders will gain access to expert mentorship, resources, and a global community of changemakers driving sustainable impact. Here's everything you need to know
📖 Fellowship Summary
Location: Africa (Accra, Ghana & Nairobi, Kenya)
Organizer: Halcyon, Washington D.C., USA
Fellowship Type: Entrepreneurial Fellowship (for founders of for-profit startups)
Target Group: Early-stage African entrepreneurs tackling climate resilience and food security
Focus Areas:
Climate-smart agriculture and food systems
Renewable and resilient energy systems
Adaptive infrastructure and green building
Climate intelligence and early-warning systems
WaterTech and water security
Blue economy and coastal resilience
Program Duration: March – July 2026
Award Value: $6,000 equity-free stipend per venture, $10,000 AWS credits, expert mentorship, training, and access to global networks
Application Deadline: Eligibility Form: November 20, 2025; Invitational Application: December 4, 2025
Program Start Date: March 25, 2026
✨ Fellowship Overview
The Halcyon Climate Resilience & Food Security in Africa Fellowship 2026 aims to accelerate the growth of African entrepreneurs developing sustainable ventures in climate adaptation and food systems. The program supports 10 selected startups with intensive capacity building, professional development, and strategic connections to investors and experts in the climate innovation ecosystem.
The fellowship follows a hybrid format:
Virtual Kickoff: March 25, 2026
Residency Week 1: April 17–24, 2026 (Accra, Ghana)
Virtual Programming Days: May–July 2026
Residency Week 2 July 24–31, 2026 (Nairobi, Kenya)
Throughout these sessions, fellows will receive tailored guidance on Halcyon’s methodology focusing on product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership, ensuring ventures are primed for growth and impact.
💲 Fellowship Benefits
Financial Support: $6,000 equity-free stipend per venture
AWS Credits: $10,000 in Amazon Web Services credits
Expert Mentorship: Workshops on product-market fit, capital strategy, and leadership development
Advisory Support: Access to professional advisors and coaches
Networking Opportunities: Connection with investors, policymakers, and sustainability experts
Global Exposure: Access to Halcyon’s extensive network of over 600 founders worldwide
Post-Fellowship Support: Continued engagement and alumni benefits through the Halcyon community
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Halcyon Climate Resilience & Food Security in Africa Fellowship 2026, applicants must:
Be the CEO or primary decision-maker of a for-profit startup based in Africa.
Have a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with demonstrated user feedback or early commercial validation.
Operate a venture addressing climate adaptation, resilience, or food security aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Be fluent in English and at least 21 years old by the program’s start.
Commit to full participation in both in-person residencies and all virtual sessions.
Applications are evaluated based on Impact, Scalability, Innovation, and Talent.
📝 Application Procedure
The application process is conducted in two stages:
Eligibility Form (October 31 – November 20, 2025): Interested applicants must submit the eligibility form during this period to be considered.
Invitational Application (by December 4, 2025): Selected candidates from the eligibility round will be invited to complete a detailed application and participate in a virtual pitch session in late December 2025.
Final Selection: Successful founders will be notified between mid and late January 2026.
🗂️ Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
Completed eligibility and invitational application forms
Company overview and business model summary
Proof of MVP, pilot projects, or user engagement data
Team details and founder bios
Evidence of early traction (e.g., letters of intent, partnerships, or revenue data)
👌🏻 Tips for Applicants
Demonstrate how your venture directly addresses climate resilience or food security challenges in Africa.
Provide tangible evidence of your product’s viability and early market validation.
Emphasize your startup’s potential for scalability and measurable impact.
Prepare concise, data-backed responses highlighting your innovation and leadership capacity.
For more details or to submit your eligibility form, visit the official website linked in button below.
