The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) continues its year-round open call for proposals, inviting organizations to submit innovative projects that tackle poverty and inequality in low- and middle-income countries. Grants range from preparatory support up to €4 million for proven solutions ready to scale, making this one of the more flexible and evidence-oriented funding mechanisms in international development.
What Is the Fund for Innovation in Development?
Launched in 2021 and hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD) while operating independently, FID is chaired by economist Esther Duflo, co-recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics. Its core approach combines innovation with rigorous research methods particularly impact evaluation using counterfactuals to identify what works, measure results scientifically, and accelerate the most effective solutions toward wider adoption and public policy influence.
FID has received thousands of applications since opening its call and has funded over 120 projects, committing tens of millions of euros. It prioritizes solutions that improve the lives of vulnerable populations and encourages applications from organizations based in, led by, or significantly staffed by people from official development assistance-eligible countries.
Available Funding Stages and Amounts
FID uses a staged model matched to project maturity. Maximum amounts are ceilings, not guarantees; awards depend on the proposal’s strength, evidence, and fit.
· Preparation grants for pilot or impact evaluation: Up to €50,000. These help develop stronger proposals for later stages. Note that preparation grants have undergone or are undergoing platform updates, with some windows referenced for 2027; check the official site for current availability.
· Pilot grants: Up to €200,000. For innovations that have completed initial prototyping and are ready for real-world testing to refine the model and assess operational, social, and financial viability.
· Impact evaluation grants: Up to €1.5 million. For innovations already piloted that require rigorous evaluation with a counterfactual to establish causal impact.
· Scale-up / Transition to Scale grants: Up to €4 million. For solutions with demonstrated rigorous evidence of impact that are ready for wider rollout, national scale, or expansion to new contexts, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
· Innovation and Public Policy / Evidence and Public Policy grants: Up to €500,000. Aimed at public entities seeking to adapt and integrate evidence-based innovations into policy or to build systems and capacity for evidence-informed decision-making.
All grants are non-reimbursable. FID emphasizes flexibility across the innovation cycle while maintaining high standards of evidence.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include legally constituted organizations of many types—NGOs, research institutions, universities, governments, companies, and consortia. Individual applications and those from international or multilateral organizations are not eligible.
Projects must be implemented in low- or middle-income countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of ODA-eligible countries, with the explicit exception of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Applications can come from organizations registered anywhere, though preparation grants have additional preferences or requirements for organizations from ODA-eligible countries.
FID is open across sectors. Priority areas often highlighted include education, health, climate, and gender equality, but strong proposals in agriculture, livelihoods, digital technology, governance, and other fields addressing poverty and inequality are welcome. It does not fund pure emergency humanitarian aid or standalone infrastructure projects.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals are assessed primarily against three core criteria:
- Potential for impact: A clear theory of change grounded in existing evidence, with a plan to generate further rigorous evidence of how the innovation improves outcomes for people living in poverty.
- Cost-effectiveness: Demonstration that the solution can deliver better results more efficiently or at lower cost than existing alternatives.
- Potential for scale and sustainability: Feasibility of broader adoption, including pathways to policy influence, resource mobilization, and long-term viability.
Additional considerations include the quality of the team, local partnerships, and implementation capacity. Larger awards (especially above €1.5 million) undergo higher-level review.
How and to Apply
The call is continuously open with no fixed deadline. Organizations can submit whenever their proposal is ready. Applications are accepted in English or French through the official online platform.
Key steps typically include:
· Reviewing the Call for Proposals Guide and related resources on the FID website.
· Using the available decision tree or tools to select the appropriate funding stage.
· Completing the application form and budget template.
· Submitting via the portal using the Link provided 👉 Here.
A decision tree and detailed guidance help match projects to the right stage. Multiple applications from the same organization are possible, though prioritization of the strongest proposal is advised.
Always verify the latest details, guides, and any platform updates directly on the official site, as processes can evolve.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Traditional development funding often struggles to support early experimentation or rigorous testing at scale. FID fills that gap by offering staged, evidence-focused grants that reduce risk for innovators while demanding accountability through impact measurement. By linking innovators with researchers and supporting pathways into public policy, it aims for lasting change rather than one-off projects.
Organizations with promising ideas whether technological, social, organizational, or financial that can demonstrate a pathway from testing to measurable impact and scale should consider applying. Success depends on a strong theory of change, realistic evidence plans, cost-effectiveness analysis, and credible scaling strategies.
For the most current application materials, eligibility confirmations, and any updates to preparation grant windows or portal status, visit the official FID website. Early preparation of a clear, evidence-aligned proposal will strengthen any submission in this competitive, ongoing call.
