Practical Insights on Grant Funding

grant funding usaid

ICT4D Grant Funding

Do you want to use information and communication technologies to improve social and economic development? Do you need grant funding for your ICT4D startup business idea? Here are two popular international donors that provide seed funds for innovative humanitarian aid programs.

USAID Grant Funding

USAID generally undertakes direct assistance programs to benefit developing countries through competitive grants and cooperative agreements. This ensures that all activities are concentrated on specific objectives to maximize impact and that they are consistent, mutually reinforcing, and draw support from the best available sources.

Check to see if USAID and your organization are currently working in the same country and to ensure that your organization’s goals align with the USAID priorities for that country. Establish a relationship with the USAID Mission in the countries where you work; set up meetings with them and invite them to see your operation.

Gates Foundation Grant Funding

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation fosters innovation to solve key health and development problems. They offer two grant types: Seed Grants and Scale-Up Grants.

  • Seed Grants: $250,000 to be implemented up to 12 months. Seed Grants should leverage digital technology innovations with the potential to scale by utilizing a proven technology from another sector.
  • Scale-Up Grants: $1,500,000 to be implemented up to 24 months. Scale-Up Grants demonstrate ability and sufficient evidence to have positive impact by using digital technology innovations with demonstrated readiness to scale and proven ability to bundle with other services.

More Grant Funding Opportunities

Apply Now: $550,000 Internet Access Grants in Latin America and Caribbean

Apply Now: $550,000 Internet Access Grants in Latin America and Caribbean

Published on: May 24 2021 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
According to the United Nations, access to the Internet has become a fundamental aspect for the full exercise of our human rights. Internet access gives us information...
Apply Now: $15,000 Grants for Your EduTech Nonprofit Organization

Apply Now: $15,000 Grants for Your EduTech Nonprofit Organization

Published on: May 17 2021 by Wayan Vota - 19 Comments
With COVID-19 Digital Response, educational institutions are pivoting their learning programs to virtual engagements. The switch is painful for everyone, and can...
Apply Now! $843 Million in USAID Funding for African Organizations

Apply Now! $843 Million in USAID Funding for African Organizations

Published on: May 03 2021 by Wayan Vota - 58 Comments
The official USAID Business Forecast lists over $843 million in new funding opportunities for African organizations this year. USAID will be buying services from...
Apply Now: $2 Million Google Funding for Women and Girls Empowerment

Apply Now: $2 Million Google Funding for Women and Girls Empowerment

Published on: Mar 29 2021 by Wayan Vota - 29 Comments
Gender inequity is one of the most urgent challenges we face as a society. COVID-19 has put the economic future of women and girls at even greater risk. Solving...
Apply Now: $2 Million CAD for AI for Development Research Labs

Apply Now: $2 Million CAD for AI for Development Research Labs

Published on: Mar 08 2021 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Artificial intelligence applications are profoundly impacting our world. Fueled by the increasing availability of computational power, improved connectivity, and...
Apply Now: $250,000 for African Disinformation Technology Solutions

Apply Now: $250,000 for African Disinformation Technology Solutions

Published on: Feb 08 2021 by Wayan Vota - 3 Comments
Disinformation and propaganda pose a threat to trust, cohesion, and security. The menace of fake news can no longer be ignored. Misinformation can divide society,...
Apply Now: $1.5 Million Smart Agriculture Grants from Gates Foundation

Apply Now: $1.5 Million Smart Agriculture Grants from Gates Foundation

Published on: Feb 01 2021 by Wayan Vota - 14 Comments
Smallholder farmers suffer from fundamental challenges to improving their own food security and their communities nutritional resilience. They face low agriculture...
Apply Now: $185,000 Startup Tech Innovation Grants in Uganda, Nigeria

Apply Now: $185,000 Startup Tech Innovation Grants in Uganda, Nigeria

Published on: Jan 25 2021 by Wayan Vota - 8 Comments
UGX 640 Million UNICEF Uganda Innovation Fund UNICEF Uganda has launched an Innovation Fund Challenge to leverage the disruptive power of technology and enhance...
Apply Now: 1 Million Euro for African COVID-19 Digital Response Solutions

Apply Now: 1 Million Euro for African COVID-19 Digital Response Solutions

Published on: Jan 18 2021 by Wayan Vota - 24 Comments
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a human tragedy across the African continent. Besides contributing to the loss of over 50,000 people, the pandemic is expected...
Apply Now: $600,000 UNHCR Scale-Up Grants for Your EduTech Solution

Apply Now: $600,000 UNHCR Scale-Up Grants for Your EduTech Solution

Published on: Jan 04 2021 by Wayan Vota - 23 Comments
Children affected by humanitarian crises need high-quality educational technology innovations at scale to improve their lifelong social and economic opportunities. ...