Applications are now open for the FCI4Africa Open Call 2026, offering up to €50,000 in funding to support innovative projects aimed at transforming food systems across Africa.
This high-impact opportunity is backed by the Horizon Europe programme and is designed to support startups, SMEs, researchers, and innovators working on solutions that improve sustainability, resilience, and fairness in Africa’s agri-food sector.
About the Programme
The FCI4Africa initiative focuses on building fair, sustainable, and climate-neutral food systems across the continent through innovation, collaboration, and technology.
The 2026 Open Call (OC1) specifically targets projects that can test, validate, and scale innovative solutions addressing key challenges within Africa’s food value chains.
Selected projects will go through structured phases of design, development, and validation to ensure real-world applicability and measurable impact.
Funding and Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
Up to €50,000 in grant funding per project
Access to a €400,000 total funding pool supporting multiple projects
Opportunity to test and validate solutions in real-world environments
Exposure to international research and innovation networks
Support to scale innovations across African markets
The funding is designed to help innovators move from concept to practical implementation and scaling.
Focus Areas
The program supports projects that address:
Food system sustainability and resilience
Climate-smart agriculture and innovation
Trade and market access within food systems
Digital tools and data-driven solutions
Reduction of non-tariff barriers in agricultural trade
Solutions should contribute to fair, inclusive, and efficient food value chains across Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, applicants must:
Be a single organization or entity (consortia not allowed)
Be one of the following:
Startups or SMEs
Universities or research institutions
Technology providers
Innovation-driven organizations
Demonstrate capacity to develop and scale innovative solutions
Propose projects to be implemented within Africa
The call is open to multidisciplinary stakeholders across the continent.
Programme Structure
Selected projects will run from November 2026 to October 2027 and follow three phases:
Design Phase: Planning and structuring the project
Development Phase: Testing and demonstrating results
Validation Phase: Reporting, learning, and scaling insights
This structured approach ensures solutions are practical, tested, and scalable.
Application Deadline
Deadline: June 30, 2026 (17:00 CEST)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early, as late submissions will not be considered.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply
Follow these steps to successfully apply:
Step 1: Visit the Application Portal
Start your application here:
Apply here: https://fci4africa.eu/
Step 2: Review the Open Call Details
Carefully read through eligibility criteria, focus areas, and requirements.
Step 3: Define Your Project
Clearly outline your innovation, target problem, and expected impact.
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Information
Include technical details, methodology, and implementation plan.
Step 5: Complete the Online Application
Fill in all required fields accurately on the portal.
Step 6: Submit Before Deadline
Ensure submission is completed before June 30, 2026.
Step 7: Await Selection Results
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further evaluation.
Why You Should Apply
Africa’s food systems face significant challenges—but also present massive opportunities for innovation.
The FCI4Africa Open Call provides funding, validation support, and global exposure to help innovators build scalable solutions that improve food security, sustainability, and economic growth.
With up to €50,000 in funding and access to a global innovation ecosystem, this program offers the tools and support needed to bring impactful ideas to life.