Apply Now: Student Venture Capital Grant Cohort 2 Offers Up to ₦50m
The Federal Government has opened applications for the second cohort of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG).
It is offering up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding to promising student-led ventures across Nigeria.
The initiative, also known as the Next Moonshot Initiative, is being implemented through the Federal Ministry of Education as part of efforts to support innovation and turn student ideas into viable, scalable businesses.
For Cohort 2, the government plans to select 50 outstanding student-led ventures, with each successful venture eligible to receive up to ₦50 million without giving up equity in the business. Applications opened on September 4 and will close on September 30, 2026.
What the Grant Offers
Beyond the funding, successful applicants will receive six months of mentorship designed to help founders develop their products, strengthen their businesses and take their innovations to market.
The programme is particularly focused on ventures developing solutions in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). Potential areas include health, agriculture, education, technology, energy, logistics and e-commerce, provided the venture has a strong STEMM component.
The grant is equity-free, meaning successful founders will not be required to surrender ownership of their ventures in exchange for the government funding.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is targeted at Nigerian students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions who are building innovative, STEMM-based ventures.
Applicants should have a business idea or venture capable of addressing a real-world problem and demonstrating potential for growth and market impact.
The programme is open to students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.
Selection Process
The S-VCG is designed to identify promising student innovators through a competitive selection process.
The first cohort attracted more than 30,000 applications from over 400 institutions, underscoring the high level of competition expected for the new cohort.
For Cohort 2, the Federal Government has also launched a nationwide mobilisation campaign to reach student innovators across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The campaign includes visits to selected tertiary institutions and a campus ambassador programme aimed at encouraging more students to participate.
Grant Details
Programme: Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) – Cohort 2
Also known as: Next Moonshot Initiative
Funding: Up to ₦50 million per selected venture
Funding type: Equity-free
Number of beneficiaries: 50 student-led ventures
Focus: STEMM-based innovation and entrepreneurship
Additional support: Six months of mentorship
Eligible applicants: Nigerian students in accredited tertiary institutions
Application period: September 4–30, 2026
Deadline: September 30, 2026
The programme builds on the first cohort, which produced student innovators who received significant funding to develop and scale their ventures. One of the previous beneficiaries, for example, received ₦50 million in equity-free funding for a fintech venture focused on simplifying access to financial services.
How to Apply
Eligible student entrepreneurs should submit their applications through the official Student Venture Capital Grant application platform before the September 30 deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to clearly demonstrate the problem their venture solves, the innovation behind their solution, its market potential and how the funding will help turn the idea into a sustainable business.
Application deadline: September 30, 2026.
