Description

Background

Agroecology has emerged as a critical and transformative approach for addressing Africa’s persistent food and nutrition security challenges while simultaneously safeguarding environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, food systems are increasingly under pressure from climate variability, land degradation, declining soil fertility, loss of biodiversity, and socio-economic inequalities that disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, women, and youth. Conventional agricultural approaches have often struggled to respond adequately to these complex and interconnected challenges, highlighting the need for more holistic, inclusive, and sustainable food system solutions.

Agroecology offers such a pathway by integrating ecological principles, local knowledge, and socio-economic considerations into agricultural production and food system transformation. Despite growing evidence of its benefits, the systematic integration of agroecology into national agricultural policies, investment plans, and development strategies across Africa remains limited.

Under the NDICI programme, FARA and RUFORUM are implementing a set of coordinated actions to strengthen science-policy interfaces, support advocacy efforts, and enhance evidence-based decision-making to ensure that agroecology becomes an integral component of national and regional agricultural and food system strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives of the Call

The primary objective of this grant is to provide financial support to researchers and experts to conduct specialized studies that will:

• Feed into decision-support information systems for science-policy interfaces
• Disseminate and publicize selected agroecology scientific and research outputs
• Increase awareness and policy support for agroecological principles and practices
• Demonstrate the contribution of agroecology to the transformation of African food systems

Scope of Studies and Priority Areas

Proposals must directly address agroecology principles and align with African agricultural priorities. Key areas include:

• Agroecological Principles, including but not limited to biodiversity, soil health, recycling, synergies, resilience, and co-creation of knowledge
• Policy Advocacy, including strategies for the recognition of agroecology as an activity of national interest
• The role of agroecology in food and nutrition security
• Gender-sensitive outreach and social inclusion in agroecological practices

Eligibility Criteria

This is a closed-competitive call restricted to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be members of the RMRN/RCoE Consortium or PANAP Networks Member institution, with confirmation of institutional or network affiliation required
• The call is open to students, early-career researchers, academic staff, farmer organizations, NGOs, or research institutes
• Applicants must be based in Africa, either through citizenship or institutional affiliation
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to conduct applied research or community-based projects, including access to research sites and/or farmer networks
• Applicants must demonstrate compliance with research ethics standards, particularly when engaging with indigenous communities and traditional knowledge systems

Financial Support and Modalities

• Maximum grant amount: Up to EUR 5,000 per selected proposal
• A maximum of 10 proposals will be funded under this call
• Eligible costs include: monthly stipend support for special studies; travel costs to attend national or international conferences for the presentation of research findings; and costs associated with organizing visibility and advocacy meetings
• No-Profit Principle: Grants are awarded in accordance with the no-profit principle as stipulated under the PRAG guidelines
• All expenditures must be fully justified, reasonable, and supported by appropriate documentation
• Duration of studies: Up to 30 November 2026

Application Requirements

Interested applicants must submit a complete proposal package comprising:

• Technical Proposal: A detailed description of the proposed research, including the methodology, alignment with agroecology principles, and the expected policy and/or community impact
• Budget: A detailed and itemized budget outlining the requested funding (up to EUR 5,000), with clear justification for each cost item
• Work Plan: A realistic timeline indicating key activities, milestones, and deliverables
• Curriculum Vitae: CV of the Lead Applicant highlighting relevant experience and expertise, plus CVs of others handling key research areas, with 3 references indicated
• Proof of Affiliation: Documentary evidence confirming membership in the PANAP Network or RMRN/RCoE Consortium

How to Apply

Submit your proposal through the official RUFORUM Information Management System: https://rims2.ruforum.org/

Selection and Evaluation Process

Proposals will undergo a rigorous internal evaluation conducted jointly by FARA and RUFORUM. To be considered for selection, applicants must meet the set eligibility and quality criteria.

Note: Final selection is subject to approval by the EC/INTPA Project Manager. Successful applicants will be required to sign a formal grant contract prior to project commencement.

Expected Outputs

Selected grantees will be expected to deliver the following:

• Submission of high-quality research reports and/or publication of findings in reputable journals or other recognized knowledge platforms
• Presentation of research results at national and/or international conferences, workshops, or scientific forums
• Active participation in agroecology dialogues, policy roundtables, and stakeholder consultations to promote uptake of findings
• Contribution to the development or strengthening of decision-support information systems relevant to agroecology and sustainable food systems

Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Call Launch	27 February 2026
Information Sharing Session with PANAP Network, RMRNs	11 March 2026
Application Deadline	30 March 2026
Evaluation Period	By 20 April 2026
Contract Signing	10 May 2026
Onboarding	15 May 2026

Contact

For more information, please contact: [email protected]