The Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) is pleased to announce the release of our 2018 RISE (Research, Innovate, Scale, Establish) for Nutrition Request for Applications (RFA).

At the Global Nutrition Summit in Milan in 2017, ECF made its first large financial pledge: to invest $100 million in nutrition by 2030. The RISE for Nutrition annual RFA is one key vehicle through which ECF will fulfill that pledge. This portfolio funds research on cost-effective, scalable innovations designed to improve nutrition interventions in East Africa. ECF launched the RISE for Nutrition grant portfolio in 2016 in order to help bridge the gap between identification of successful nutrition interventions and getting those interventions to those who need them most.

ECF conducted a round of RISE in 2016 and in 2017; however, we are looking to do things a bit differently this year. The 2018 RFA includes a multi-stage process starting with this open call for concept notes. The process now consists of: 1) an initial open call for concept notes; 2) the shortlisting of Semi-Finalists whose projects best fit the selection criteria; 3) a workshop series where ECF supports the Semi-Finalists to develop a full proposal in collaboration with the Foundation and external experts; 4) the scoring of final applications and the selection of Finalists, who are presented to the Board for approval; and 5) the grant refinement process, where ECF and the prospective grantee agree on final implementation and research parameters.

Click here for the complete 2018 Request for Application Guidance.

In correlation with our RFA, ECF is also releasing the ECF Grantee Guidance Series: Theory of Sustainability and Theory of Scale. Although ECF has always placed significant value on the scalability and sustainability of our research investments, until recently we did not have clear and pragmatic guidance for our grant-making decisions and our grantees. Please use this document as a resource to help strengthen considerations of scalability and sustainability in your concept notes.

We need your help. We would be grateful if you could please share ECF’s RFA with your network of organizations.

Questions about the RFA should be submitted by October 31, 2018 and Concept Notes should be submitted by November 25, 2018 to RFA@eleanorcrookfoundation.org.

Many thanks in advance for your help. We look forward to hearing from those of you who apply!

Best Regards,

The ECF Team
http://www.eleanorcrookfoundation.org