Fund for Innovation in Development (FID)

The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) is an independent grant fund hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD) and chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo. It finances innovative solutions with high potential to reduce poverty and inequality in low- and middle-income countries, and backs them with rigorous evidence on what works so they can be scaled.

Who can apply
Organisations of any type can apply, including NGOs, research institutions, social enterprises, private companies and public bodies. Applications from individuals and international organisations are not eligible. Projects must be implemented in a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA), which includes most of Africa.

Priority sectors
Education, health, climate and gender equality. FID takes a broad view of innovation: new products, services, delivery models, behavioural approaches or policy practices can all qualify.

Funding stages
- Preparation grant: up to EUR 50,000 to prepare the launch of a pilot project or an impact evaluation
- Stage 1, Pilot: up to EUR 200,000 to test an innovation in real conditions
- Stage 2, Test and position for scale: up to EUR 1.5 million to rigorously evaluate innovations that have already been piloted
- Stage 3, Transition to scale: up to EUR 4 million for solutions with rigorous evidence of impact

Applicants should apply for the stage that matches the maturity and evidence behind their innovation, rather than the largest grant available.

How applications are assessed
FID assesses every application on three criteria: evidence of impact on the lives of people living in poverty, cost-effectiveness, and potential for scale. The applicant does not have to be the organisation that ultimately scales the innovation; partnerships with governments are encouraged.

Deadline
The call for proposals is open all year, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Apply online through FID's open call, which runs all year. Check eligibility, choose the funding stage that matches your innovation's maturity, and complete the online application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.