Call for Applications: Fund for Innovation in Development Offers Grants of - MSME Africa

The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) is inviting organisations to apply for grants to develop, test and scale innovative solutions that address poverty and inequality in low- and middle-income countries. The fund supports projects across sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, climate, digital

FID accepts applications from legally constituted organisations, including:

• Non-governmental organisations and associations.
• Social enterprises and private companies.
• Universities and research institutions.
• Foundations and cooperatives.
• Public institutions and government entities.
• Eligible organisations working together in a consortium.

Applicants can be registered in different countries, but the project must be implemented in a country eligible for official development assistance under the relevant OECD framework, subject to FID’s geographic restrictions.

Individual applications submitted by people in their personal capacity are not accepted. International and multilateral public institutions, including United Nations organisations and international financial institutions, are also ineligible.

Nigerian organisations can consider applying if their proposed project meets the geographic, organisational and funding-stage requirements.

FID offers grants based on the maturity of the proposed innovation and the evidence available to support it.

• Pilot Stage — up to €200,000: For innovations that have completed initial prototyping and are ready to be tested in real-world conditions.
• Impact Evaluation Stage — up to €1.5 million: For innovations that have already been piloted and need rigorous evaluation to establish their impact.
• Scale-Up Stage — up to €4 million: For innovations with demonstrated impact that are ready to reach more people.
• Innovation and Public Policy Stage — up to €500,000: For public entities seeking to integrate an innovation into public policy and generate evidence to inform its wider adoption.
• Evidence and Public Policy Stage — up to €500,000: For public entities seeking to strengthen the use of impact evidence in policy decisions and improve the systems supporting evidence-based policymaking.

FID also offers preparation grants of up to €50,000. However, these grants are currently being redesigned, and the next application window is expected to open in 2027.

The maximum amounts are funding ceilings, not guaranteed awards. The amount requested must be justified by the project’s activities, budget and development stage.

Interested organisations can follow these steps:

• Visit the FID online application platform.
• Read the call-for-proposals guide and frequently asked questions to understand the eligibility rules.
• Use FID’s decision tool to identify the funding stage that matches the project’s maturity.
• Download and review the application form and budget template.
• Prepare the project proposal, budget and supporting evidence.
• Complete and submit the application through the online platform.

Applications may be submitted in English or French. The call remains open throughout the year, so organisations can apply when their proposals are ready.

Application deadline: No fixed deadline; applications are accepted year-round.

Funding amount: Up to €200,000 for pilot projects, €1.5 million for impact evaluations and €4 million for scale-up projects. Public policy funding is available up to €500,000.

Application link: Apply to the Fund for Innovation in Development

For technical difficulties with the application platform, contact FID at [email protected]. Applicants should consult the published guidance before contacting the fund about project eligibility, as FID does not conduct individual eligibility assessments before submission.