Opportunities for the Week: August 19th 2025
From scholarships to funding calls, from fellowships to volunteer positions, doors are opening this week, and we don’t want you to miss a single one.
At Beyond Borders Network, we believe access changes everything. One opportunity can shift your trajectory, expand your network, and place you in rooms you once only dreamed of.
This week, we’ve curated some of the best opportunities designed to help ambitious Africans like you grow, build, and thrive — no matter where you’re based.
Explore the latest opportunities. Share with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Explore the August 2025 Grants List Below
1. Amber Grant for Women: WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in 1998. The grant was set up with one goal in mind: to honor the memory of a very special young woman, Amber Wigdahl, who died at just 19 years old — before realizing her business dreams.
Today, WomensNet carries on that tradition, proudly giving away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, we’ve also expanded our grant-giving to include “Startup Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as three “$25,000 Year End Grants
Apply here: https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/get-an-amber-grant/
Amount: $10,000 – $25,000 Due Date: August 30th
2. Galaxy Grant: Galaxy of Stars is a project of Hidden Star, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a proud history of over nine years supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. Apply for a chance to win our $2,950 Galaxy Grant, brought to you by Hidden Star, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that has been supporting women & minority business owners for over 9 years.
Apply here: https://galaxyofstars.org/galaxy-grants-grant-selection2/
Amount: $2,950 Due Date: September 30th, 2025
3. NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant: Rooted In The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant aims to empower Black entrepreneurs and businesses through funding and resources and has, in previous years, contributed largely to the growth of Black businesses across the nation.
All rising and established Black entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the Powershift Entrepreneur Grant. Businesses selected will receive a $25,000 grant along with resources as tools to propel their futures.
Apply here: https://naacp.org/find-resources/grants/powershift-entrepreneur-grant
Amount: $25,000 Due Date: October 24 – November 1st 2025
4. Olga Loizon Foundation Grant: The Olga Loizon Memorial Foundation offers up to $10,000 grants for Michigan women-owned restaurant businesses on an annual basis.
Apply here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/Olga-Loizon-Memorial-Foundation-Grant
Amount: $10000 Due Date: August 31st 2025
5. The SkyDeck Berkeley Accelerator: The SkyDeck Berkeley Acceleration Method is a 6-month acceleration process for promising startups in any vertical. Between 20 and 25 selected Cohort teams receive a $200K investment from Berkeley SkyDeck Fund. Cohort teams participate in mandatory sessions, are matched with a Lead Advisor, have designated work space at SkyDeck, and present at Demo Day
Apply here: https://skydeck.berkeley.edu/apply/
Amount: 20 and 25 selected Cohort teams receive a $200K investment from Berkeley SkyDeck Fund
Due: July 10, 2025 – August 22, 2025
6. Baobab Accelerator: Baobab is Africa’s leading accelerator. We provide funding, hands-on support and access to a powerful global network to help Founders become industry leaders. Take your business from startup to superstar. We help build and fund Africa’s high potential start-ups.
We accept applications on a rolling basis – so please feel free to apply at any time and someone from our team will be in touch with you. Please note our next cohort kicks off in Q4 2025.
Apply here: https://thebaobabnetwork.com/apply-now/
7. Empowering Growth Small Business Grant: The Empowering Growth Small Business Grant is representative of M&F Bank’s commitment to supporting the small businesses in our markets. We believe that by empowering small business owners to achieve their goals, we can help create strong local economies, communities, and individuals.
We invite current M&F Bank business customers with a business that operates within Forsyth and surrounding counties to apply for the $10,000 Empowering Growth Small Business Grant. One deserving business will receive a $10,000 grant to help take their company to the next level.
Amount: $10,000 Due: September 1st, 2025
8. Poker Power X IFW $100,000 “Power Play” Small Business Grant: Poker Power is partnering with IFW to launch the largest grant in IFW’s history! Ten finalists will head to NYC on November 18, 2025, to compete for the $100K grant, 6 months of IFW coaching, 4 Poker Power mentorship sessions, and a 4-week poker course!
If you’re ready to level up your business, then apply now! https://www.ifundwomen.com/grants/poker-power
Explore the August 2025 Scholarship List Below
1. MasterCard Scholarship at Arizona State University, USA 2026: The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), will provide graduate scholarships to train 120 young African professionals at the master’s level for various programs over 5 years (2025 – 2030). This is a fully immersive and traditional on-campus 2-year master’s program with an emphasis on technology and innovation. Recognizing the rapid evolution of the global digital economy, this program aims to equip African youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in areas such as technology and sustainable innovation.
Apply here: https://asu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cAVRH1ZXSkx6j3w Deadline: 14th September
2. Generation Google Scholarship: With support from Google.org, the Generation Google Scholarship aims to help aspiring students pursuing computer science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field.
This application includes:
Generation Google Scholarship: for women in computer science (Asia Pacific/APAC)
Generation Google Scholarship (Canada & United States/North America)
Generation Google Scholarship: for women in computer science (Europe, Middle East, Africa/EMEA)
Generation Google Scholarship: for women in computer science in Ireland
Please visit the links above for more details and eligibility requirements. Your region is based on the location of the college or university, and not your permanent residence, current residence, or citizenship.
Apply here: https://www.iie.org/programs/generationgoogle/
3. 2026 University of Maryland Scholarship:
Apply here: https://ansc.umd.edu/graduate/prospective-students/ Deadline: 31st August
4. FIFA World Cup 26 Volunteer Program | 65,000 volunteers: The FIFA World Cup 26™ is coming to North America, and we’re looking for passionate, energetic volunteers to help bring the world’s largest single-sport event to life. FIFA World Cup 26™ volunteers will be part of a once-in-a-generation team – uniting three countries, 16 Host Cities and billions of hearts around the world.
Are you ready to join the greatest community behind the world’s greatest football teams?
Apply here: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/volunteers
5. Gates Scholarship in the United States 2025: The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
Apply here: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship Deadline: September 15th 2025
6. Chevening Scholarship: The Chevening Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year has opened for applications this August and will close in early November 2025. The scholarship is awarded to outstanding individuals from eligible countries for one-year master’s degrees in the UK.
Apply here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/application-timeline/ Deadline: November 2025