FCI4Africa Open Call 2026 – Food Systems Innovation

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    FCI4Africa (Horizon Europe-funded initiative)

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites eligible applicants to apply for the FCI4Africa Open Call 2026 – Food Systems Innovation, a Horizon Europe-funded initiative supporting innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive food systems across Africa.

Programme Overview
This call aims to support stakeholders developing and testing innovative tools, technologies, and business models that strengthen fair, resilient, and sustainable food systems. The programme focuses on improving food value chains through practical, scalable solutions that enhance productivity, inclusivity, and sustainability across the agrifood sector.

Key Details

  • Funder: FCI4Africa (Horizon Europe-funded initiative)

  • Funding Type: Grant

  • Maximum Funding: Up to €50,000 per project (€400,000 total funding envelope)

  • Project Duration: November 2026 – October 2027

  • Call Opens: 07 April 2026

  • Application Deadline: 30 June 2026 (17:00 CEST)

Eligibility

  • Open to single applicants only

  • Eligible applicants include:

    • Universities

    • Research institutions

    • R&D SMEs

    • Technology providers

    • Startups

    • Industry actors

  • Applicants must be working on food systems in Africa

Funding Scope

The grant supports:

  • Development and testing of innovative agrifood solutions

  • Strengthening sustainable and inclusive food value chains

  • Creation of new tools, technologies, or business models

  • Improving resilience and efficiency in food systems

Disciplines

  • Food Systems Innovation

  • Agrifood Technology

  • Sustainable Value Chains

  • Data Systems

  • Inclusive Food Systems

Strategic Focus Areas

  • Advancing sustainable food systems in Africa

  • Promoting innovation in agrifood value chains

  • Enhancing inclusivity and resilience in food production and distribution

  • Supporting scalable, market-ready solutions

How to Apply
Applicants should review the full guidelines and submit their applications via:
https://fci4africa.eu/open-calls/

Applicants are expected to present a clear innovation concept, demonstrate feasibility and scalability, and outline how their solution will contribute to transforming food systems across Africa.