IFAD Opens Call for Proposals for US$1.2 Million Grant to Strengthen Rural Policy and Investment ·Unknown

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a global Call for Proposals seeking an implementing partner to deliver the initiative “Leveraging IFAD’s Rural Sector Performance Assessment for Policy and Investment.” The funding opportunity offers up to US$1.2 million in grant financing to support efforts aimed at improving rural sector policy assessment and creating stronger policy and investment environments for rural development.

Eligible organizations, including non-profit institutions, private sector companies, universities, think tanks, and research institutes, are invited to submit proposals for the competitive grant. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a non-binding Expression of Interest by July 31, 2026, while full proposals must be submitted by September 4, 2026, at 12:00 CET.

Supporting Better Rural Policy and Investment Decisions

The grant forms part of IFAD’s broader commitment to strengthening evidence-based policymaking and improving investment conditions that promote sustainable rural development.

Through the initiative, IFAD aims to enhance the use of its Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) framework to help governments and development partners better assess policy environments, identify investment priorities, and support more effective rural development interventions.

The selected implementing partner will work to strengthen policy analysis and facilitate improved decision-making that contributes to inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural transformation.

Grant Value

The successful applicant or consortium will receive:

• Grant funding of up to US$1.2 million.

Recipients will also be required to provide counterpart contributions toward project implementation.

Counterpart funding requirements include:

• At least 20% of the IFAD grant amount for non-profit organizations, universities, think tanks, and research institutions.
• At least 25% of the IFAD grant amount for private sector organizations.

Both financial and eligible in-kind contributions may be considered toward meeting the counterpart funding requirement.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to a wide range of institutions with relevant technical expertise and implementation capacity.

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-profit organizations.
• Private sector companies.
• Universities.
• Think tanks.
• Research institutes.
• Consortia comprising eligible organizations.

Applicants should demonstrate strong institutional experience in rural development, policy research, investment analysis, and implementation within the regions and thematic areas outlined in the grant documentation.

Proposal Requirements

To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application package containing all mandatory documents.

Required documents include:

• A project proposal prepared using the Grant Concept Note Template, aligned with the Grant Identification Note and detailing objectives, deliverables, scope of work, and indicative financial requirements.
• An indicative activity-based budget using the prescribed budget template.
• A completed self-certification of eligibility for IFAD grant financing.
• A brief institutional profile highlighting relevant organizational experience, technical expertise, and implementation capacity in the proposed thematic and geographic areas.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all supporting guidance documents before preparing their submissions.

Expression of Interest

Although optional, IFAD encourages interested organizations to submit a non-binding Expression of Interest.

Expressions of Interest should be sent by:

• Deadline: July 31, 2026

Submitting an Expression of Interest is voluntary and does not affect eligibility or the evaluation of the final proposal.

Proposal Submission Deadline

Completed proposals must be submitted by:

• Deadline: September 4, 2026
• Time: 12:00 CET

Applications submitted after the deadline or missing mandatory documentation may not be considered.

Online Information Session

To support prospective applicants, IFAD will host an online Question and Answer session where interested organizations can seek clarification about the funding opportunity.

Session details include:

• Date: July 21, 2026
• Time: 14:00–15:00 CET
• Format: Online

The session will provide guidance on proposal preparation, eligibility requirements, and the overall application process.

Resources Available for Applicants

IFAD has made a comprehensive range of supporting documents available to assist applicants in preparing competitive proposals.

Available resources include:

• Grant Identification Note.
• Grant Concept Note Template.
• Self-certification of eligibility forms.
• General provisions for IFAD grant agreements.
• Evaluation methodology and assessment criteria.
• Activity-based budget template.
• Financial Management Guide.
• Guidance on eligible expenditures and budget preparation.
• IFAD13 priority commitments.
• Grant Design Document template.
• Terms of Reference.
• IFAD Regular Grants Policy.
• Knowledge Management Strategy.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review these materials carefully before submitting their proposals.

Advancing Rural Development Through Stronger Policy Frameworks

The initiative reflects IFAD’s continued investment in strengthening rural governance, evidence-based policymaking, and sustainable investment planning across developing countries. By improving the Rural Sector Performance Assessment framework and supporting stronger policy environments, the programme seeks to enhance long-term rural development outcomes and create greater opportunities for agricultural transformation and inclusive economic growth.

Organizations with demonstrated expertise in rural policy, agricultural development, public policy analysis, and research are encouraged to prepare competitive proposals for this significant international funding opportunity.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.