There are not currently any thematic open calls for CRFS funding. Open calls below are historical and provide information about the types of calls that may open in the future. For the majority of the program’s grantmaking, it continues to be an invite-only application process where applications for funding are accepted only from organizations invited to apply. Informal queries are always welcome.
Past Thematic Open Calls
Climate change poses one of the most pressing challenges for food systems globally. The impacts of climate change are already happening, and agriculture is expected to be severely affected in locally specific ways. While many proposed climate solutions fail to address interconnected global crises like biodiversity loss, agroecology may be a means to equitably address multiple global crises simultaneously through various approaches that diversify production systems and strengthen regional food systems. When compared to other approaches, agroecology is a bold climate solution.
Still, more research is needed to clearly communicate agroecological performance to climate challenges. For decades, CRFS has funded participatory agroecological research on topics such as soil health, ecological pest and disease management, and agrobiodiversity. This research has generated climate-related benefits for smallholder farmers, yet most of it has not explicitly addressed the risk mitigation or adaptation potential of agroecological strategies. While most recent CRFS-funded projects aim to increase the resilience of smallholder farmers, less than a quarter of them have a climate-focused research component.
We invite innovative proposals for original transdisciplinary research, synthesis, and/or communications on agroecology as a bold climate solution. Proposals will be considered for projects that evaluate the potential for agroecological approaches to make a difference in adapting to, reducing risks, or mitigating climate change for smallholder farmers and regional food systems in CRFS’ regions of focus (the Andes, West Africa, and/or East and Southern Africa). Proposals do not need to limit themselves to biophysical considerations and may include political, social, or economic dimensions of food systems.
Estimated level of funding
The estimated level of funding for this open call will be $400,000. We anticipate making at most 4 awards ranging from $100,000-$400,000 each, with project durations of 1-3 years.
Geographic scope
Proposed projects should have relevance to smallholder farmers and regional food systems in one or more of the CRFS regions of focus: Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador), West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), and/or East and Southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi).
EligibilitY
Preference will be given to research teams and organizations in the Global South, or those that have co-leadership with organizations in the Global South.
Application process
Applications were accepted from March 1 – May 15, 2024. Grant award announcements will be made by September 15, 2024.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Has CRFS ever done anything related to this open call before?
Yes, CRFS communities of practice and projects funded by McKnight have made connections between smallholder farmers and climate change. For example, the Andes community of practice focused on climate change on a regional and conceptual level from 2008-2015. A 2010 article written by several members of the Andes community of practice is called Climate Change in the High Andes. A more recent article that connects agroecology and climate change issues also comes from a project funded in the Andes, called Soil fertility management ameliorates climate change impacts on traditional Andean crops within smallholder farming systems. These are only two examples, and similar processes and publications have come out of CRFS’ two African communities of practice, as well.
Still, many projects funded by CRFS do not contextualize their work within existing climate conditions or explicitly evaluate the performance of agroecology systems in relation to climate challenges. This thematic open call attempts to bridge the gap to communicate agroecology as a bold climate solution. As the How to Apply website describes, this open call focuses on agroecology’s performance in meeting interconnected global crises, including climate change. For this reason, it is important that proposals clearly articulate both the climate and agroecology components, as conveyed by email to all inquiries with medium and high relevance:
- The climate component: What climate challenges will this project aim to address that are relevant to the region?
- The agroecological component: How will you evaluate the potential for agroecological approaches to make a difference in adapting to, reducing risks, or mitigating climate change for smallholder farmers and regional food systems? How will agroecological performance be evaluated in a holistic way?
What are the target audiences for communicating agroecology as a bold climate solution through this thematic open call?
CRFS’ cross-cutting innovation portfolio manages this thematic open call. This means it aims to complement rather than duplicate grantmaking priorities for CRFS’ three communities of practice. Articulating agroecology and climate challenges to and with smallholder farmers is already present in all three of CRFS’ communities of practice. For example, the research and implementation of agroecological practices (sometimes called “options by context”) is well-represented by a large portion of CRFS-funded projects.
This thematic open call seeks not to duplicate these efforts but rather to improve society’s understanding of agroecology as a bold climate solution by evaluating the potential for agroecological approaches to make a difference in adapting to, reducing risks, or mitigating climate change. Communicating agroecology as a bold climate solution more broadly than to or with specific farming communities will be favored, such as communicating to climate scientists and policymakers. For projects interested in policy articulation, engagement at multiple levels is welcome, but preference will be given to national, regional, or higher levels of engagement. Diverse forms of evidence for communicating to and with such communities are also welcome. They may be quantitative or qualitative, and they may be derived from research or lived experience.
Is a project within one country or across multiple countries preferred?
Both kinds of projects are welcome. It depends on the goals of the project. In some instances, it may be compelling to include multiple countries, whereas in other cases, it would weaken a proposal. When we review applications, we will evaluate projects based on their thematic relevance and potential for impact.
Is my project idea competitive for funding through this thematic open call?
As an open call process, we will not be selecting which project ideas to invite to apply. However, we have provided feedback on each inquiry’s apparent relevance. This initial feedback and your subsequent conversation with Paul Rogé should give you a sense of the chances your project would be funded through this thematic open call. Teams with some or all of the following attributes will be better positioned:
- A strong foundation of agroecological research or lived experience
- Established agroecological networks
- A holistic understanding of agroecology
- Capacity for climate-related analysis
While the open call process intends to make CRFS grantmaking more equitable and inclusive, we also recognize that it requires more time and energy on the part of the applicant with less confidence in receiving funding. These are the tradeoffs of different kinds of grantmaking. There will be future thematic open calls, so please gauge if the theme of this open call matches your team’s priorities. CRFS also continues to do relationship-based grantmaking, facilitated in each region by CRFS’ regional team members.
I thought we could apply for $400k, but now I hear less is available per project. How much funding is available?
As described on the How to Apply website, “The estimated level of funding for this open call will be $400,000. We anticipate making at most 4 awards ranging from $100,000-$400,000 each, with project durations of 1-3 years.” This means that $400,000 overall has been earmarked to be granted through this open call. Each project funded through this open call can expect to receive between $100,000 and $400,000. If we fund one project, we can award $400,000 toward it. If we fund four projects, we can fund each project at the $100,000 level.
Decisions on the funding level per project will be made after reviewing all the applications submitted. For some teams, $100,000 will be sufficient to fund their project idea fully, whereas in other cases, it will not be sufficient. Suppose teams would benefit from higher levels of funding. In that case, we recommend that they convey their entire vision and identify the highest priority areas or first steps to fund in case CRFS can only partially fund the project. In the application, it is also possible to describe funding from other donors to support the larger project.
What constitutes Global South leadership or co-leadership?
While preference will be given to organizations in the Global South, organizations headquartered in the Global North are still eligible. When we review applications, if two projects have similar thematic relevance and potential for impact, preference will be given to lead organizations headquartered in the Global South or to those projects that demonstrate co-leadership with organizations in the Global South. The most straightforward way to demonstrate co-leadership is through a portion of the project budget allocated to a Global South partner.
I have spoken to Paul Rogé about my idea. Now how do I go about applying?
Once you have met with Paul Rogé, you may begin an application. To do so, the online application portal is accessible to you from the How to Apply page, or by visiting the form directly. Applications are due by May 15, and we hope to reach funding decisions by September 15.
There is a part of the application that I don’t understand. How do I get help?
For technical assistance with the application process, please get in touch with Grace Gbolo at ggbolo@mcknight.org. For questions on the thematic area, please get in touch with Paul Rogé at proge@mcknight.org.
Do I need to submit all of the financial documents asked for in the application form to support my proposal?
Unless you have direct access to organizational budget and year-to year income statements, you may submit a blank document in their place. They will be requested at a later time.
How detailed do we need to be in the financial budget template and project plan?
Please create a tentative budget and project plan for this proposal. We ask that enough is shared to give us an idea of what the funding will support. Once a decision is made, you will be able to adjust them based on the actual funding amount given.
Do we need to submit banking details?
Not at this time. The application no longer asks for your banking information. If you are using a past version, please upload a blank document.
How much can I apply for?
The maximum amount of funding is $400,000 as stated, but if chosen, the grant amount could change. Please keep in mind that the budget and project plan submitted must reflect the amount you request.
I'm applying near the deadline, do I still need to fill out an inquiry form?
No, if you have not already filled out an inquiry form then you can apply without doing so before the May 15 deadline.
This thematic open call attempts to identify synergies between agroecology and One Health to address the multifaceted challenges in the Sahel within a context of climate variability and change. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “Agroecology and One Health are complementary approaches to achieving a world where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food while protecting the environment” (FAO, 2023). The organization further highlights the specific holistic component of each approach. It views agroecology as “a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems” and it defines One Health as “One Health is a holistic approach to health that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and plant health.” It acknowledges that “diseases can spread between animals and humans, and that the health of the environment plays a role in human and animal health.” There are multiple potential synergies between these two holistic approaches.
In the context of the West Africa Sahel, which faces an array of challenges from climate change to food and nutrition insecurity, systems linking agroecology and One Health has a good chance of coming up with innovative solutions. Research is needed on the landscape-level changes required for agroecological transition and food systems transformation that simultaneously addresses the technical and social innovations required to achieve territorial developments linked to policy influence and risk reduction strategies. The CRFS West Africa region calls for submissions for interdisciplinary projects in agriculture and/or livestock around the principles of agroecology and One Health.
Estimated level of funding
The estimated level of funding for this open call will be $360,000 over three years. We anticipate making 3 grants with an average annual budget of 40,000 USD per year and a project duration of 3 years (or, 2 years and option to extend by another year, if funding is available).
Geographic scope
This is a thematic open call organized by the West Africa regional team. Projects must be based in at least one of the three CRFS West African countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Eligibility
This call specifically targets applications from junior researchers (PhD degree no longer than 5 years ago) and/or female researchers or female development agents (no age limit) from Mali, Burkina Faso, or Niger. Partners could include mentors and research institutions from within or outside West Africa.
Application process
Applications were accepted from March 1 – May 15, 2024. Grant award announcements will be made by September 15, 2024.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to submit all of the financial documents asked for in the application form to support my proposal?
Unless you have direct access to organizational budget and year-to year income statements, you may submit a blank document in their place. They will be requested at a later time.
How detailed do we need to be in the financial budget template and project plan?
Please create a tentative budget and project plan for this proposal. We ask that enough is shared to give us an idea of what the funding will support. Once a decision is made, you will be able to adjust them based on the actual funding amount given.
Do we need to submit banking details?
Not at this time. The application no longer asks for your banking information. If you are using a past version, please upload a blank document.
I'm applying near the deadline, do I still need to fill out an inquiry form?
No, if you have not already filled out an inquiry form then you can apply without doing so before the May 15 deadline.
McKnight’s Strategic Framework
The McKnight Foundation’s Strategic Framework informs the work of all our program areas, including the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems. It guides how we do our grantmaking, our perspective and role, and our relationships. The Strategic Framework, which is adapted regularly, describes the Foundation’s mission, values, commitments, and ways of working.
Selection Criteria: Questions We Ask
For the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems, grants are selected based on criteria that include alignment with program and regional priorities and strategies, quality, innovation, and awareness of local context. In reviewing proposals, we consider the following:
- Does the project contribute to agroecological transformation?
- Are the project approach and focus aligned with our theory of change?
- Is the focus on improving key aspect(s) of smallholder agriculture within regional food systems and in ways that improve the food security, income, nutrition, and equity outcomes of smallholder farmer households?
- Does the project demonstrate a systems perspective, including the consideration of such factors as crop improvement and seed access, pest/disease management, soil and water management, strengthening of farmer organizations, or enhancing market access. Intended systems changes may include sustainable production, consumption, and/or rural social infrastructure and markets. Thematic entry points to systems change may include crop improvement and seed access, pest and disease management, soil health, strengthening of farmer organizations, enhancing market access, and/or nutrition research and education.
- Is the project designed appropriately to address the problems identified in food and agriculture systems?Does the project design show a likelihood of a positive impact on smallholder farming families?
- Is there authentic collaboration and partnership that involve research, development, community-based organizations, farmers, and the private sector as appropriate and necessary, and also innovative approaches as relevant?
- Does the project demonstrate cultural and gender sensitivity?
- What is the project’s ability to contribute improved “public goods” knowledge and practice beyond its specific sites, contexts, and objectives?
Submission Process
McKnight staff and/or CRFS regional team representatives will meet with you virtually to discuss your ideas and guide you through the application process, which takes approximately three months from application submission to reaching a final decision on funding. During thematic open call periods, applicants who have spoken with McKnight staff or regional team representatives may submit their applications directly through the web portal. In most cases, potential grantees are invited to apply. The steps that follow are the same for both open call and invite-only applicants.
- Submit a full proposal online. The proposed work will include both an inception or planning phase that typically lasts six months to a year followed by an implementation phase that typically lasts two to three years.
- During the inception phase, the project will consolidate and engage all proposed partners; develop a full research work plan, project theory of change, monitoring and evaluation questions, and research questions and protocols, in addition to conducting any initial research or data gathering.
- Implementation phase funding will be contingent upon a successful inception phase.
Important: If a regional proposal is approved for funding, the project becomes a member of a regional Community of Practice (CoP) as described in the Expectations for CoP Involvement.
Please note:
The Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems has an invite-only application process with occasional thematic open calls. Requests for funding are accepted only from organizations that have been invited to apply or in response to a thematic open call. There is not currently an open call for funding proposals.