The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, has opened applications for the Northeast Community Innovation Challenge 2026. The challenge is looking for community innovators in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States with ideas that solve real local problems. Five selected solutions are reported to receive grants of US$5,000 each.
It is run in partnership with the Abdul Samad Rabiu International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID). Selected teams get training, mentoring and a funded bootcamp in Maiduguri.
Deadline: Friday, 27 November 2026. Applying is free; never pay anyone to apply.
Key Details
- Organisers: UNDP Nigeria and the Government of Japan
- Partner: Abdul Samad Rabiu International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UNIMAID
- Location: Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, Nigeria
- Grants: US$5,000 each for five selected solutions (as reported)
- Who can apply: individuals and teams
- Cost: free
- Deadline: 27 November 2026
Benefits
- a chance to win a grant of US$5,000 to start your solution in your community
- training and mentorship for selected teams
- a Design and Prototyping Bootcamp at UNIMAID’s innovation centre, where you’ll build a working sample of your idea
- transport, food and accommodation paid for the training in Maiduguri
Focus Areas
Your idea must address at least one of these areas:
- Agriculture and livestock: for example, better storage, feed, irrigation or animal health
- Construction and shelter: affordable, durable or local building solutions
- Health services: improving access to or delivery of healthcare
- Education and skills development: helping people learn and gain skills
Eligibility
- individuals or teams with an innovative idea
- addressing a community problem in Borno, Adamawa or Yobe
- the solution fits at least one of the four focus areas
- you can name the community or people who will benefit and explain how it works
Women innovators are strongly encouraged to apply. No formal business registration or degree requirement has been announced; the form asks about your age, state, local government area and whether you have a disability.
How to Apply
- Open the official UNDP Northeast Community Innovation Challenge application form.
- Fill in your details (or your team leader’s): name, gender, age group, phone number (WhatsApp if possible), email if you have one, state, LGA and town.
- Describe the problem in your community, your solution, who will benefit and how it will work.
- Submit by Friday, 27 November 2026.
No phone? The form allows you to give the number of someone who can reach you. Only apply through the official form, and never pay anyone a fee.
Tips
- Start with one clear problem you see every day, such as post-harvest losses or long distances to clinics.
- Keep your idea simple, low-cost and buildable with local materials and skills.
- Show who benefits: name the village, ward or group and roughly how many people.
- Form a team that combines technical skills with community knowledge.
- Apply early in case of network problems close to the deadline.
Grant amount and number of awards as reported by MSME Africa; the deadline and other details are from UNDP’s official application form.
