Their goal is to support innovators across the entire innovation lifecycle. The recent external evaluation of our programme and our strategic review identified the need for additional focus on the less-resourced innovation stages of problem recognition and diffusion. It also highlighted the importance of providing continued (end-to-end) support to innovation in the humanitarian system.

Through this Call, up to ten small grants of up to £50,000 each will be made available for the following innovation stages:

• Problem Recognition – Recognition of a specific problem, challenge, or opportunity, in relation to the provision of humanitarian aid. At this stage, the focus is on developing a clear understanding of complex problems. The goal of this type of work is to understand the needs and challenges of affected communities, and the view of the potential users of any new innovations that might be developed. These grants are open to any applicant.
• Advancing Seed-funded projects – These grants are for applicants who have received seed-funding from the HIF and are looking for next-stage ESI funding to further develop their innovation.
• Project Diffusion – These grants are for innovations previously funded by a HIF Development and Implementation grant, now requiring grant funding for wider adoption outside the original setting. This might include various formal and informal communication channels, and may involve the original innovation being continually developed and refined

All projects funded through this call will need to be completed no later than 31 December 2018.

HOW CAN YOU APPLY?

Problem Recognition grants are open to any applicant – If you are applying for a problem recognition grant as a first time applicant, please register and apply here.
Applicants who have applied to our facility previously, please use this link to log in.

Former HIF Grantees applying for funding to further their HIF-Seed funded project, or funding for diffusion activities following their Development and Implementation project – please contact the HIF team for further instructions on how to apply. Do not use the links above.

WHAT WE DON’T FUND

Any application to the HIF must be related to a humanitarian context and meet the eligibility criteria. We do not consider applications for the following types of projects:

• Exploring a challenge that exists within a development setting (definition).
• Company/ organisation start-up funding
• Construction of non-innovative schools, latrines, water systems, medical centres
• Replication of existing solutions
• Expansion of private businesses
• Projects that exclusively serve religious purposes
• Political campaigns

We will ONLY accept applications through our online platform.

Applications must be submitted by 23:59 GMT 10 December 2017.