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Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) – Open Call for Innovative Projects

Fund for Innovation in Development (FID)

Up to EUR 4,000,000 Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania...

About This Opportunity

The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) is a grant-making mechanism that supports innovative solutions designed to reduce poverty, inequality and development challenges in low- and middle-income countries.

FID accepts applications throughout the year from legally constituted organisations, including companies, social enterprises, NGOs, universities, research institutions and public institutions. Individuals applying in their personal capacity are not eligible.

The fund supports innovations at different stages of development, from piloting and rigorous impact evaluation to large-scale deployment.

Funding can include:

• Pilot grants of up to €200,000 for testing an innovation in real-world conditions after prototyping.

• Impact Evaluation grants of up to €1.5 million for rigorously evaluating an innovation that has already been piloted.

• Scale-Up grants of up to €4 million for innovations whose impact has already been demonstrated.

• Innovation and Public Policy grants of up to €500,000.

• Evidence and Public Policy grants of up to €500,000.

FID has no sector restriction and welcomes innovative solutions across agriculture, food systems, climate resilience, digital technology, livelihoods, education, health, environmental sustainability and other development sectors.

Agrifood innovations can be particularly relevant where they demonstrate a credible pathway to measurable impact, cost-effectiveness and sustainable scale. FID has supported agriculture and technology initiatives in Africa, including projects using AI and digital tools to support smallholder farmers.

Applications are open throughout the year and can be submitted at any time through the FID online application platform.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be an organisation, company, research institution, NGO, government entity, social enterprise or eligible collective.
Individual applications are not eligible.
The project must be implemented in a low- or middle-income country eligible under the OECD DAC framework.
The project must address a development challenge and have potential to reduce poverty or inequality.
The proposed solution must demonstrate innovation and potential for lasting impact.
Applicants must demonstrate a credible theory of change and potential impact.
Applicants must demonstrate potential cost-effectiveness compared with existing alternatives.
Applicants must demonstrate potential for scale and financial sustainability.
The proposed activities must correspond to the requirements of the FID funding stage being requested.
Applicants may apply independently or as part of a consortium.
Projects from all sectors are eligible; agriculture, food systems, climate resilience and digital innovation may be relevant.

Required Documents

Completed FID application form.
Project proposal describing the innovation, development challenge and proposed activities.
Detailed project budget using the FID budget template.
Theory of change and impact framework.
Evidence supporting the proposed innovation and expected impact, where applicable.
Information on the applicant organisation and project team.
Supporting financial and organisational information requested by FID.
Impact evaluation or research protocol where required for the relevant funding stage.
Additional supporting documents requested by FID during the application process.