Opportunity Grants

PyCon Africa 2026 Opportunity Grants Programme

We are delighted you are interested in attending PyCon Africa 2026, which will be held in October 2026 in Kampala, Uganda. The conference will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, which offers conference facilities, accommodation options, and amenities in the Munyonyo area of the city.

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive community, we recognize that some individuals may need financial assistance to make conference participation possible.

Grant availability and coverage

Due to budget limitations, we can only support a limited number of attendees with opportunity grants. These grants will be awarded based on financial need and responses provided in the application form. Please note that approved grants may only cover certain expenses (for example, a conference ticket but not accommodation). Any expenses not covered by your specific grant would remain your responsibility.

Application details

Please complete the form to provide details on your financial needs and circumstances. This information is essential for the grants review committee to evaluate applicants and make fair and informed decisions on grant recipients.

We welcome your open and honest responses, even for basic needs. Our goal is to make the conference accessible to as many Python enthusiasts as possible from around Africa.

Your application will be treated in complete confidence.

Who will receive opportunity grants?

We would love to support everyone who applies, but unfortunately, our funds are limited.

The opportunity grants programme will prioritise:

• Speakers
• Those who will contribute back to their local communities
• Those who will help increase diversity at the event and in African programming

We will do our best to maximise the impact of our opportunity grant funding.

How to apply

1. First, create an account or log in. You can do that here.
2. Next, you can review or update your details on your profile.
3. When applications are open, use the Apply for an opportunity grant button on this page to complete the online form before the deadline: , (EAT). We will not accept applications after this date.
4. Read the questions on the form carefully and answer them as best you can.

What can I request?

You can request a free ticket only, or a grant as well as a free ticket. Anyone who is allocated a grant will automatically receive a free ticket.

How much should I request?

Our budget is limited, and we will have to make some hard decisions. Generally, it is easier for us to accept smaller requests, as a single large request could consume most of our budget. The lower your request, the more likely it is that we will be able to accept it.

You need to consider:

• How much you will need to spend in total in order to attend the conference
• How much of this you can contribute yourself

The difference between these two figures is the amount you should request.

How should I calculate how much I should request?

You will need to budget for:

• Travel
• Visa, if necessary
• Accommodation
• Subsistence (evening meals, local transport, etc.) while in Kampala

Travel

Spend a little time researching your options. If you will need to travel by air, use websites such as Skyscanner or Google Flights to estimate the cost of airfare. A little flexibility with dates or routes can make a big difference to the price of a ticket.

Accommodation

Many sites help you estimate accommodation costs (for example, major booking platforms or hostels). Kampala offers a range of options, from budget hostels to mid-range hotels.

The conference venue is Speke Resort Munyonyo. We recommend looking nearby or along routes with reasonable access to Munyonyo (for example areas with reliable transport links toward the lake side of the city). If you are willing to share a room to reduce costs, mention this in your application.

Be reasonable – we want you to stay somewhere clean, safe, and comfortable, but we cannot afford to place you in a luxury hotel.

Subsistence

Lunch and refreshments will be provided each day during the conference. For evening meals and local transport in Kampala, costs vary widely; plan using your own research and local prices. Ride-hailing apps and safe taxis are widely used.

We recommend budgeting conservatively for evening meals and transport for each day you are in the city, on top of travel and accommodation.

Timeline

• 21 April 2026: Opportunity grants applications open
• 1 June 2026: Opportunity grants applications close
• October 2026: PyCon Africa 2026 — Kampala, Uganda
• During / after the conference: Disbursement of funds to successful applicants is handled according to the process communicated by the organisers.

When will I receive the funds?

Funds will be provided to successful applicants according to the conference team’s process, typically aligned with attendance at the event.

Unfortunately, applicants who have received funds in the past and failed to attend have negatively impacted previous conferences. Our financial situation cannot withstand this kind of abuse.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to provide funds in advance to those who would otherwise find it impossible to attend. Please contact the organisers as soon as possible if this is the case (for example via the contact page).