NYFF Development Grant 2026 in Nigeria

The NYFF Development Grant 2026 is a funding opportunity for youth-led organizations and individuals in Nigeria to strengthen leadership and civic engagement. This grant, part of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, supports projects in policy advocacy, electoral engagement, accountability, social inclusion, and peacebuilding.

The grant is managed by LEAP Africa and co-funded by the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Luminate Group. It aims to build youth capacity and promote ecosystem building through financial support and program implementation from May to December 2026.

Benefits of NYFF Development Grant 2026

• Financial support ($1,000–$10,000 depending on category)
• Strengthening youth-led initiatives across governance, inclusion, and peacebuilding
• Opportunity to leverage technology, media, and creative arts for civic engagement
• Support for marginalized groups, including PWDs and gender equality initiatives

Eligibility Criteria for the NYFF Development Grant 2026

• The beneficiary must be a Young Change Maker (aged 18- 35 years) with a proven track record of working on a sustainable solution that directly addresses any of the thematic areas.
• The beneficiary must demonstrate a good understanding and experience of youth activism, strategic planning and project management.
• The beneficiary must demonstrate experience and knowledge of community or team building following principles of honesty and integrity.
• The beneficiary must demonstrate talent and passion for new ways of behaving, norms, actions, love for creative arts and imagination –
• The beneficiary must have genuine means of identification and/or must be attached to an institution.
• The beneficiary must provide two (2) reputable referees.
• Any organization applying must be a formally registered organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria or any other state-level relevant registration. Otherwise, unregistered organizations can form a cluster and apply through a registered organization.
• Any organization applying must be a youth-driven civic and transformation organization working on sustainable solutions that directly addresses any of the thematic areas.
• The organization must have good antecedents and proper track records.
• The organization must have a SCUML certificate and any other relevant documents that certify its legal operations.
• The organization must have a physical office address and a corporate account.
• The organization must have a good reach within the proposed state of Implementation.
• The organization must provide financial records with good financial standing
• The organization must provide 2 reputable referees.

How to Apply for the NYFF Development Grant 2026

• Filling of Pre-application questions
• Proposal Submission: Applicants should submit a concept note/proposal, not more than 3000 words, following the stated guidelines and proposal template.
• The proposal templates are divided into three sections: Section A: This consists of the Individual/organization background, challenges identified, initiatives to be implemented, and scope of work; Section B: This section consists of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework showing the expected inputs, outputs, outcome and impacts of the project; Sections C: This section consists of the project work plan, showing the activities to be performed, timeline and the budget for each line items
• Submission of organization/individual identification document: Small/Individual Grant: NIN certificate or equivalent; Organization Grant (Development & Catalyst Grant): CAC registration, Organizational document, and other documents such as certificate of recognition by previous funders, SCUML, etc., in a single PDF.
• Filling of the Referees’ information: Name, Organization and portfolio, Phone Number, and email address

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the NYFF Development Grant 2026. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply, based on the official program information.