UNU INRA INFoCAT Innovation Agriculture Challenge 2024 for African Clean Energy Powered Agritech Innovations |Up to $37,000 Grant

The United Nations University’s Institute for Natural Resources in Africa has issued a call for proposals for the Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies (INFoCAT) project.

The INFoCAT innovation challenge is an IDRC-sponsored initiative under the Clean Energy for Development: A Call for Action program, with Enda Energie and UNU INRA as partners.

The INFoCAT innovation challenge aims to support low-cost clean energy-powered agritech innovators in Ghana, Senegal, and Cote D’Ivoire.

The goal is to provide smallholder women and youth farmers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy technologies, increasing agricultural productivity and income.

The objectives of the Innovation challenge are to:

Support the development and expansion of affordable, labor-saving, clean energy agricultural technology solutions to save time and reduce drudgery.
Support clean energy agriculture technology start-ups with a focus on women-led enterprises and where possible, refine and expand their products to meet the needs of smallholder rural farmers and
Create avenues for mentorship, access to networking, and training.

Eligibility & Criteria

Eligible innovators or enterprises must be based in Ghana.
Complete the application form with business details and a full description of the innovation.
Agritech technology must be powered by clean energy and must demonstrate energy efficiency. Technology must meet the needs of small to medium-scaleholder rural farmers in the priority crop areas (rice, maize, cassava, and groundnut).
Technology use must require less human (manual) labor and time. Technology must be cost-effective and have clear commercial potential, be easy to operate, and be scalable. Demonstrate a solution that reduces CO2 emissions.
Teamwork is highly recommended (including members with diverse backgrounds). The team must demonstrate gender intersectionality with the inclusion of women.
Priority will be given to women and youth innovators. Clean energy supply – the innovation should have the potential to be used to power both agricultural technologies and other uses. This will be an added advantage.
Demonstration of a working prototype (NB: There is room for new technology yet to be designed).

Grant

Pilot grant: USD 3,000 -7,400 (grant available for about 10 innovations/ teams/ enterprise)
Business Scale-up grant support: USD 30,000 – 37,000 (1 innovation/team)

Deadline: June 7, 2024

Apply here

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