Updated and verified: 9 September 2026. Rolling applications. This guide now covers UAF-Africa’s year-round funding. The previously listed 12 August 2026 call has passed and its award amounts should not be used for these grants.

Urgent Action Fund-Africa grant eligibility

For Africa-based women’s rights organisations working in Africa. Organisations must be women-led, with at least 70% of group members identifying as women. Informal groups may apply through a registered fiscal sponsor; funds are not transferred to individual bank accounts.

Funding amounts and deadline

  • Rapid Response: up to US$12,000.
  • Defending the Defenders: up to US$5,000.
  • Advocacy and Alliance Building: up to US$20,000.
  • Deadline: rolling, throughout the year; no annual funding cycle.

These limits and rules are published in the official UAF-Africa FAQs. Humanitarian supplies, routine healthcare, scholarships, travel and ordinary operating costs are excluded. This is not a general NGO project grant.

Choose the right application form

Rapid Response supports unexpected, strategic opportunities requiring action within three months. Advocacy and Alliance Building interventions run for six to twelve months. Protection applications concern safety, security and wellbeing. Actions must be urgent, unanticipated, strategic, sustainable and supported by others familiar with the situation. Use the official application page and forms to confirm your track.

Prepare a focused request

Explain what changed, why delay would undermine the response, who makes decisions and how the budget supports the proposed action. Keep supporting evidence relevant and avoid including unnecessary sensitive information. Follow the donor’s instructions for endorsements and submission.

Related ATI resources

Track the request using ATI’s funding calendar. For broader organisational learning, explore the Diploma in Gender and Development and Grants Management training. These courses are optional and are not donor eligibility requirements.

Return to Grants & Funding or review the September grants shortlist. ATI is an information provider, not the funder; check the official instructions before applying.