The Expo City Dubai Foundation’s Global Innovators Programme is offering grants of up to US$100,000 to impact-driven startups and social enterprises. Continuing the legacy of the Expo Live initiative, this program targets scalable solutions that address urgent global challenges, with a priority focus on supporting organizations in the Global South. The 2025 cohort is specifically dedicated to finding innovative solutions for extreme heat in humanitarian and emergency settings. Selected innovators gain funding, mentorship, strategic partnership support, and global visibility.
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Scholarship Summary Table
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Expo City Dubai Foundation |
| Target Audience | Impact-Driven Startups, SMEs, Social Enterprises, and Non-Profits |
| Host Region | Global (Priority to organizations based in the Global South) |
| Study Level | Innovation Grant / Enterprise Funding |
| Scholarship Value | Grant funding up to US$100,000 per project |
| Duration | Varies by Project Roadmap and Milestones |
| IELTS/English Test | Not Required |
| Application Deadline | 23 November 2025 |
Expo City Dubai Global Innovators Programme (2025 Cohort)
The Expo City Dubai Foundation’s Global Innovators Programme is an exceptional opportunity for impact-driven organizations to secure significant funding and global partnership support. Carrying forward the mission of Expo Live, the program backs entrepreneurs who are actively creating scalable solutions to pressing social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges worldwide. The 2025 cohort has a critical and focused theme: addressing the devastating effects of extreme heat in humanitarian and emergency settings.
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Grant Benefits
Tier 1: Maximum Grant Funding and Global Visibility (Up to US$ 100,000)
The primary benefit of the program is the financial and exposure support provided to the most promising innovations.
- Grant Funding: Innovators can receive substantial grant funding of up to US$ 100,000 per project. This capital is designed to help scale and replicate working solutions.
- Global Visibility: Selected projects are showcased across Expo City Dubai’s platforms and extensive innovation ecosystem, providing unparalleled global exposure.
Tier 2: Strategic Scaling and Partnership Support
Beyond the grant, the program offers essential non-financial resources aimed at strengthening organizational capacity and accelerating market entry and scaling.
- Mentorship and Guidance: Innovators receive dedicated mentorship and guidance from the Expo City Dubai Foundation’s vast network of experts and industry leaders.
- Strategic Partnerships: The foundation facilitates strategic partnerships and development support, helping enterprises navigate complex challenges and integrate their solutions into larger systems.
Tier 3: Core Focus on Extreme Heat Resilience
The 2025 theme focuses on finding prototype-ready solutions that tackle heat-related risks, particularly benefiting vulnerable communities in the Global South.
- Priority Theme: Solutions must address extreme heat challenges within humanitarian and emergency contexts. This includes innovations like:
- Cooling Shelters or temporary infrastructure.
- Off-grid energy systems designed for reliability in harsh climates.
- Health tech innovations specifically addressing heat-related risks.
- Water and food resilience tools for hot, challenging environments.
- Legacy of Impact: The foundation continues the legacy of Expo Live, which has previously disbursed grants to innovators in over 90 countries, providing access to international networks and business development resources.
Eligibility Requirements for the Global Innovators Programme
To be considered for the grant, applicants must ensure they meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Legal Status: Must be a legally registered entity, including a social enterprise, startup, SME, or non-profit organization.
- Impact Focus: Must demonstrate a verifiable social, environmental, or humanitarian impact as a core part of their mission.
- Maturity Level: The solution must be prototype-ready or beyond. Purely conceptual or idea-stage projects will not be accepted.
- Geographic Priority: Operating in or based in the Global South is a strong priority for this cohort.
- Capacity: Must show good organizational capacity, clear plans for impact measurement, and realistic strategies for scaling or replication.
How to Apply for the Global Innovators Programme (Step by Step)
The selection process evaluates innovation, scalability, and alignment with the critical theme of extreme heat resilience.
- Prepare Proposal: Clearly define the heat-related challenge you are solving using data, build a strong impact narrative, and prepare a realistic budget and roadmap for the grant utilization.
- Submit Online: Visit the Expo City Dubai Global Grants Programme portal and complete the online application form.
- Submit Materials: Upload your proposal and all required supporting documentation.
- Selection Evaluation: Proposals are rigorously evaluated based on innovation, scalability, demonstrable impact, and alignment with the extreme heat theme.
Application Deadline: 23 November 2025.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the maximum grant amount available per project?
The maximum available grant funding is US$ 100,000 per selected project.
2. What is the specific focus of the 2025 Global Innovators Programme cohort?
The 2025 cohort is focused on funding scalable solutions that address extreme heat in humanitarian and emergency settings.
3. What types of organizations are eligible to apply for the grant?
The program accepts applications from legally registered social enterprises, startups, SMEs, or non-profit organizations.
4. Must an applicant be based in Africa?
While not mandatory, applicants operating in or based in the Global South are a strong priority for this cohort.
5. What is the crucial requirement regarding the maturity of the solution?
The solution must be prototype-ready or beyond. Projects that are only at the idea stage will not be considered.
6. What kind of non-financial benefits do grantees receive?
Grantees benefit from mentorship and guidance, access to strategic partnerships, and global visibility through the Expo City Dubai platforms.
7. What does the Expo City Dubai Foundation carry the legacy of?
The foundation continues the legacy of Expo Live, an initiative that previously provided grants to innovators in over 90 countries.
8. What application advice is given regarding the budget?
Applicants should prepare a realistic budget and roadmap clearly detailing how the grant will be used, expected milestones, and measurable outcomes.
9. When is the final deadline to submit an application?
The final deadline for the 2025 application cycle is 23 November 2025.
10. How will proposals be evaluated during the selection process?
Proposals are evaluated based on their innovation, scalability, demonstrable impact, and their clear alignment with the theme of extreme heat resilience.
