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January social enterprise opportunities 2026
Start the new year strong! January 2026 brings fresh opportunities for social enterprises – from funding and events to accelerators – to help you scale impact and set your mission in motion for the year ahead.
Google for Startups Accelerator
Deadline: Varies by region
Region: Global
A global programme supporting top growth-stage start-ups with tailored technical, product and leadership training. Cohorts of 10-15 start-ups receive dedicated mentoring, deep-dive workshops on product design and customer acquisition, early access to Google AI products, Google Cloud credits and TPUs and hands-on support for technical challenges. Eligible teams are Seed to Series A stage, building scalable products and committed to active participation from technical leaders.
Ashoka Fellowship
Deadline: Rolling
Region: Global
Ashoka welcomes nominations of social entrepreneurs whose work demonstrates a new idea, creativity, entrepreneurial quality, ethical fibre and significant social impact – the core criteria used to select candidates for its global Fellowship. Nominators provide information about a candidate’s work and how it aligns with Ashoka’s vision of changemakers driving systemic change. The process is open to anyone who knows a potential Fellow and follows detailed selection criteria to guide nominations.
AJA Foundation Grants
Deadline: Rolling
Region: Global
The AJA Foundation provides grant funding to organisations working on sustainable impact initiatives across water, education and healthcare. Applicants begin by submitting a short Letter of Inquiry (LOI) demonstrating how their programme aligns with one of the foundation’s philanthropic pillars; if invited to proceed, they complete a full proposal with additional documentation. Letters of Inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis and responses typically take around six weeks. Only one funding request per organisation is considered each year and full proposals may take up to six months for review before a funding decision is made.
Her‑Health Research Fellowship 2026
Deadline: 10 January 2026
Region: Global
The Her‑Health Research Fellowship 2026 is a fully remote programme designed to equip young women (aged 18-30) with practical research skills and leadership experience focused on women’s health, public policy and social impact. The fellowship blends structured online coursework, collaborative research labs and mentorship to help participants frame meaningful research questions, gather and analyse data, interpret evidence and produce research‑ready outputs such as policy briefs or recommendations. It is suitable for students, recent graduates and early‑career professionals with or without prior research experience and aims to build competencies that support future academic or impact‑oriented careers. The programme culminates in research showcases and provides networking opportunities with mentors and peers.
Zensurance Small Business Grant
Deadline: 11 January 2026
Region: Canada (excluding Quebec, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut)
The Zensurance Small Business Grant provides funding of up to CAD 25,000 or CAD 1,000 grant boost to help Canadian small businesses and start-ups grow, launch new initiatives, or improve operations. Applicants must be registered Canadian companies with annual revenues under CAD 1 million, complete the application form, get a free insurance quote, follow one of our social media channels. A shortlist of six finalists is selected and the public votes on the final winner.
Create+AI Challenge
Deadline: 12 January 2026
Region: Global (Stanford affiliation required)
The Create+AI Challenge, hosted by the Stanford Accelerator for Learning with support from Google.org, invites educators, researchers, designers, technologists and students to develop artificial intelligence solutions teaching, earning, or career opportunities – with projects focused on how AI can enhance connections, participation, learning outcomes, mentoring and pathways to meaningful work. The challenge offers a total funding pool of USD 400,000 across multiple awards, mentorship and connections with Stanford faculty and collaborators, visibility at the AI+Education Summit in February 2026 and the potential for selected teams to continue development in a summer 2026 cohort at Stanford.
Truist Foundation Fellowship
Deadline: 12 January 2026
Region: USA (selected States only)
A fully-funded venture and leadership programme for small business owners, entrepreneurs and non-profit founders building solutions for underbanked or underserved communities. Fellows receive mentorship, technical assistance, access to capital, business and leadership workshops, Basecamp facilitation experience, pitch training and long-term alumni support. The hybrid 16-week programme runs March-June 2026 with weekly sessions, in-person Immersives, regional gatherings and a final Summit. Eligible applicants’ small businesses or organisations must have been operating for 1-5 years with fewer than 10 employees, located across select regions in the US.
JPMorganChase Fellowship Program 2026
Deadline: January 12–13, 2026 (multiple deadlines)
Region: USA (selected States only)
The JPMorganChase Fellowship Program 2026 is a five-week, paid, full-time summer programme aimed at undergraduate sophomore students from diverse backgrounds. It provides hands-on exposure to financial services, leadership training and professional development through a project-based curriculum. Participants gain practical skills in problem-solving, teamwork and industry knowledge and are supported with mentorship and networking opportunities. Tracks include Global Technology, Asset and Wealth Management, Commercial and Investment Banking, Consumer and Community Banking and Human Resources.
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme 2026
Deadline: 16 January 2026
Region: Global
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellowship Programme is an accredited, seven-month virtual leadership programme for founders and leaders of NGOs and social enterprises, with a particular focus on leaders from low- and middle-income countries. It provides one-to-one mentorship and leadership coaching, online masterclasses delivered by an international faculty, access to a global peer and alumni network, an all-access pass to The NGO Whisperer® Global Summit and opportunities for visibility through the organisation’s magazine and podcast.
Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge
Deadline: 30 January 2026
Region: Global
A global open innovation challenge by Enterprise Singapore inviting start-ups and innovators to develop and pilot scalable sustainability solutions with corporate partners. The programme focuses on themes including renewable energy, offshore wind, greener industries, sustainable agrifood, green buildings and sustainable materials. Selected innovators can access paid pilots, in-kind support, mentorship and industry networks, with over SGD 3 million in pilot funding available. One Discovery Track participant will also receive an SGD 100,000 prize sponsored by Hexagon Group.
Prosperous Future Grant Programme
Deadline: 30 January 2026
Region: Nordic-Baltic region
The Prosperous Future programme by the Nordic Council of Ministers supports civil society cooperation across the Nordic-Baltic region, fostering green, democratic and resilient societies. Eligible projects may focus on democracy, human rights, capacity building, education, gender equality, youth, culture, sustainable development, innovation, or digitalisation. Civil society organisations from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Åland Islands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland can apply, in partnership with organisations linked to Ukraine or democratic partners connected to Belarus or Russia. Grants range from EUR 45,000 to EUR 65,000 per project, usually lasting one to 1.5 years.
Mozilla Fellowship
Deadline: 31 January 2026
Region: Global
The Mozilla Fellowship supports technologists, researchers, creators and advocates working on public-interest technology, including AI accountability, data governance, digital rights, privacy, climate justice and open internet infrastructure. Fellows lead a 12-month project beginning in May 2026, either embedded within a civil society organisation or independently. The programme provides between USD 100,000– 125,000 investment (depending on track) in combined stipend and project funding, alongside professional development, mentorship and access to Mozilla’s global network and platforms.
Fighting Hunger Grants
Deadline: 31 January 2026
Region: United States and Canada
The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation provides grants of up to USD 10,000 are awarded to U.S. and Canadian non-profit organisations whose mission is related to hunger relief, food rescue, or providing meal assistance to children, families, seniors and communities in need. Eligible applicants must be U.S. 501(c)(3) or Canadian NPO organisations with annual revenue of USD 10 million or less.
