The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, has opened applications for the 2026 Northeast Community Innovation Challenge, offering innovators in three Nigerian states an opportunity to develop solutions to community problems.
The initiative targets individuals and teams in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Five selected innovative solutions are reported to receive grants of $5,000 each, alongside training, mentorship and technical support.
The challenge is being implemented in partnership with the Abdul Samad Rabiu International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
It focuses on four areas: agriculture and livestock, construction and shelter, health services, and education and skills development. Applicants are expected to present practical ideas that address challenges affecting communities in these sectors.
Selected participants will also benefit from a Design and Prototyping Bootcamp at UNIMAID, where they can develop and refine their proposed solutions.
The programme is designed to encourage local innovation and support ideas that can improve livelihoods and essential services across the three states. Women innovators are particularly encouraged to apply.
The opportunity is not a general cash giveaway for every applicant. The grants are competitive and intended to support selected solutions. Applicants should therefore explain the problem their ideas address, identify the communities they intend to serve and show how their proposals can create measurable impact.
Applicants should focus on clear, affordable ideas with benefits for local residents.
How to apply
Interested individuals and teams can submit applications through the official online form at https://shorturl.at/HOzh5. Applicants should provide details of their proposed innovation and explain how it addresses a community need in Borno, Adamawa or Yobe. The deadline is November 27, 2026. Applicants should review the instructions carefully and submit before the closing date.