The South African National Cleantech Innovation Challenge (NCIC) 2026 was officially launched on 5 February 2026 and is now open for applications.

NCIC is South Africa’s flagship platform for identifying, testing, and scaling high-impact cleantech solutions that respond to the South Africas most pressing environmental, economic, and industrial challenges while positioning locally developed innovations for continental and global relevance.

Call for Applications

We invite innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, and solution developers working across the cleantech value chain to apply.

NCIC 2026 at a glance:
•⁠ ⁠9 Provinces | 9 Strategic Cleantech Challenges
•⁠ ⁠Solution and Business model pilots with real-world implementation
•⁠ ⁠Up to R15 million in Seed Investment and Technical Assistance for high-potential solutions
•⁠ ⁠Up to R160 million in impact and follow-on funding for scalable proof-of-concepts
•⁠ ⁠Pathways to regionsal, national deployment and international market access

What NCIC Offers

•⁠ ⁠A structured, challenge-driven innovation framework
•⁠ ⁠Access to industry, public sector, and investment partners
•⁠ ⁠Technical, commercial, and regulatory support
•⁠ ⁠Pilot opportunities aligned to real market demand
•⁠ ⁠A clear pipeline from proof-of-concept to scale

Who Should Apply
•⁠ ⁠Early-stage and growth-stage cleantech ventures
•⁠ ⁠University spin-outs and research-led innovations
•⁠ ⁠Engineers, technologists, and applied researchers
•⁠ ⁠Entrepreneurs developing solutions in energy, water, food systems, mobility, waste, climate resilience, green materials, and related fields

Strategic Intent
NCIC is designed to:
•⁠ ⁠De-risk early-stage cleantech innovation
•⁠ ⁠Accelerate commercially viable climate solutions
•⁠ ⁠Strengthen South Africa’s cleantech entrepreneur pipeline
•⁠ ⁠Contribute meaningfully to Africa’s just and inclusive transition

Applications are now open – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EZP_cxNdpFPnnGjINVkZF9gyG_rzsi42/view?usp=drivesdk

Innovators with scalable, high-impact cleantech solutions are encouraged to apply and be part of a national platform shaping the future of sustainable industry and climate resilience.

Build locally | Scale globally |Solve real problems.