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Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants

Last verified 21 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) offers grants for individuals and organizations focused on youth leadership, civic engagement, and social change in Nigeria. Supported by LEAP Africa, MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Luminate Group, these grants empower young peopl

Provider
Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) / LEAP Africa
Host country
Nigeria
Deadline
To be confirmed for the 2027 intake
Region
Africa
Official source Track this application

Topics

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Individual applicants must be 18-35 years old with a proven track record in activism. Organizational applicants must be formally registered, youth-driven civic/transformation organizations.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Youth Leadership Development
Deadline
To be confirmed for the 2027 intake

Key eligibility criteria

  • Individual applicants must be 18-35 years old with a proven track record in activism. Organizational applicants must be formally registered, youth-driven civic/transformation organizations.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants (2026)

## Overview The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), a collaborative initiative by LEAP Africa, MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Luminate Group, is inviting applications for its Youth Leadership Development Fund 2026. This grant program is designed to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, and ecosystem building in Nigeria. It aims to support both individuals and organizations dedicated to fostering positive change in areas such as governance, social inclusion, and peacebuilding. ## Benefits Successful applicants will receive financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the grant category. Beyond financial aid, this initiative offers a crucial opportunity to: strengthen youth-led initiatives across key thematic areas; leverage technology, media, and creative arts for enhanced civic engagement; and support marginalized groups, explicitly including Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and initiatives promoting gender equality. The grants are disbursed in two tranches (50% + 50%) based on the achievement of agreed milestones. ## Eligibility **Individual-level applicants:** * Must be between 18 and 35 years of age. * Must possess a proven track record in youth activism, project management, or community building. * Must demonstrate strong integrity, creativity, and a passion for social change. * Must provide a valid ID (such as NIN) and two referees. **Organization-level applicants:** * Must be formally registered (with CAC or equivalent). * Must be a youth-driven civic/transformation organization. * Must provide a SCUML certificate, official office address, corporate account details, and financial records. * Must provide two referees. * Unregistered organizations have the option to form a cluster and apply through a formally registered body. * Applicants who have accessed NYFF funding more than twice will not be prioritized. ## Required documents **For Individual Applicants:** * Valid identification (e.g., NIN). * Details of two referees (name, organization, portfolio, phone, email). * Concept note/proposal (maximum 3,000 words) using the official template, covering: Background, challenges, initiatives, scope; Monitoring & Evaluation framework; Work plan, timeline, budget. **For Organizational Applicants:** * Formal registration documents (CAC or equivalent). * SCUML certificate. * Proof of office address. * Corporate account details. * Financial records. * Details of two referees (name, organization, portfolio, phone, email). * Concept note/proposal (maximum 3,000 words) using the official template, covering: Background, challenges, initiatives, scope; Monitoring & Evaluation framework; Work plan, timeline, budget. ## Application steps 1. Sign up or log in via the official NYFF online portal. 2. Complete the pre-application questions. 3. Submit a comprehensive concept note/proposal (maximum 3,000 words) utilizing the provided official template. This document should detail the background, challenges, proposed initiatives, scope, monitoring and evaluation framework, work plan, timeline, and budget. 4. Upload all necessary identification documents (NIN for individuals; CAC, SCUML, and relevant organizational documents for organizations). 5. Provide complete details for two referees, including their name, organization, portfolio, phone number, and email address. ## Key dates * **Application Deadline:** April 30, 2026 * **Grant Cycle:** May 2026 – December 2026 * **Results Announcement:** End of July 2026 ## Selection criteria The selection process involves three rigorous rounds: 1. **First Stage:** Assessment of compliance with all application procedures. 2. **Second Stage:** Evaluation of the application's suitability using a structured assessment rubric. 3. **Third Stage (Due Diligence):** Verification of all details provided in the application by the NYFF team. Proposals focusing on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged and will receive special consideration. ## Tips * Ensure your application aligns with one or more of the specified thematic areas: Policy & Advocacy, Electoral Engagement & Democratic Participation, Accountability & Transparency, Social Inclusion, National Cohesion, Peace & Security, or the Cross-Cutting Priority (innovation, technology, media, arts). * Adhere strictly to the concept note/proposal guidelines and word limits. * Provide accurate and verifiable information for all required documents and referees. * Highlight your proven track record and passion for social change in your application. * For organizations, ensure all registration and financial documents are up-to-date and complete. * Consider forming a cluster with a registered body if your organization is not formally registered. * Craft a compelling and well-structured concept note that clearly outlines your project's objectives, methodology, and expected impact. ## Official source For more information and to apply, please visit the official NYFF Fellowship & Grants Portal: [https://leapafrica.smapply.io/prog/nyff_development_and_individual_grant_application-_2026/](https://leapafrica.smapply.io/prog/nyff_development_and_individual_grant_application-_2026/) For enquiries, you can contact: [nyff@leapafrica.org](mailto:nyff@leapafrica.org)

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Individual applicants must be 18-35 years old with a proven track record in activism. Organizational applicants must be formally registered, youth-driven civic/transformation organizations.

Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://leapafrica.smapply.io/prog/nyff_development_and_individual_grant_application-_2026/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Individual applicants must be 18-35 years old with a proven track record in activism. Organizational applicants must be formally registered, youth-driven civic/transformation organizations.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      To be confirmed for the 2027 intake

      Provider deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Editorial verification note

    Imported from afterschoolafrica.com editorial listing.
    Last checked 5/21/2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants?+

    Individual applicants must be 18-35 years old with a proven track record in activism. Organizational applicants must be formally registered, youth-driven civic/transformation organizations.

    What funding does the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) – Youth Leadership Development Fund Grants offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://leapafrica.smapply.io/prog/nyff_development_and_individual_grant_application-_2026/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Individual applicants must be 18-35 years old with a proven track record in activism. Organizational applicants must be formally registered, youth-driven civic/transformation organizations.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: To be confirmed for the 2027 intake. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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