What is the application deadline?
Letters of Intent deadline is March 20, 2026, at 23:59 US EDT.
Can deadlines be extended? I just learned about this opportunity.
No: Applications are not accepted past the deadline. We anticipate additional opportunities in 2027 and beyond.
Will every applicant be asked to submit a Full Proposal?
No: Only selected applicants will receive a notification by April 30, 2026, to submit a full proposal.
What is the full proposal deadline for invited proposals?
Full proposal deadline is May 31, 2026, at 23:59 US EDT.
When should I expect to hear from GFRP once I submit the full proposal?
We will notify applicants by the end of June 2026.
Can I submit the Letter of Intent in my native language?
Letters of intent will only be accepted in English
What is the maximum funding amount?
Applicants may request direct costs up to USD $100,000 (with a 15% indirect cap).
Is this fund limited to USA based organizations?
No. Organizations from any country are welcome to apply, and there is a preference for research based in low- to middle-income countries or regions.
I work for a for-profit company interested in conducting research. Can I apply?
No: The Innovation Fund is only available for universities or not-for-profit organizations.
How many awards will be given?
Up to five awards will be given.
What is considered innovative?
The goal of this funding scheme is to move the needle on policy design so that the evidence base is there when advocates and decision-makers are ready. We are looking for work that can potentially lead to food policy transformation.
How is the Innovation Fund administered and supported?
The Innovation Fund grants are funded as subawards of the Global Food Research Program (GFRP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies Food Policy Program.
What format should applications be submitted in?
All LOIs must be submitted in PDF format on the online platform.
Can research length be extended if our organization needs more time?
The Innovation Fund aims to provide innovative evidence-based research in a short time frame, with an emphasis on research dissemination. Therefore, research should not take longer than 12-18 months to enable results publication or presentation within that time frame.