Agriculture and food systems innovation

There is up to £3 million of funding available from the Department for International Development (DFID) for early-stage feasibility studies, mid stage industrial research and late-stage experimental development. Projects must work on agri-tech and food chain innovations with partners in eligible African countries.

A full definition of research categories is available in the general guidance for applicants section of our website.

The aim of this competition is to increase the pace of development and scale of uptake of agricultural and food systems innovation by farmers and food systems actors (such as manufacturers, processors, retailers, distributors or wholesalers) in Africa.

All projects must be collaborative and must include at least one partner from the UK and one from an eligible African country. All funding for businesses and research organisations will be sent through the administrative lead organisation.

Who can apply

All projects:

• must be collaborative
• must include a partner from an eligible African country, who can be the technical lead
• must include a UK-based administrative lead
• must be carried out in the UK or an eligible African country or both

Lead applicants
The administrative lead:

• will be the recipient of the award
• will manage and be accountable for the finances for the project in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award
• must be UK based
• can be a business (of any size), academic organisation, charity, public sector organisation or research organisation for early and mid stage projects
• must be a business (of any size) for late stage projects
• must claim funding through this competition
• can partner in up to 2 other applications

The technical lead:

• will lead on the development of the scope, work packages within the project and other work from a technical perspective
• must be a UK or eligible country partner organisation
• can be a business (of any size), academic organisation, charity, public sector organisation or research organisation for early and mid stage projects

• must be a business (of any size) for late stage projects
• must claim funding through this competition
• can also be the administrative lead

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and other organisations are also eligible to:

• claim grant as a project partner or
• join the consortium as non-grant claiming partners

Moreinfo: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/229/overview