FID – Fund for Innovation in Development (Innovative Project Funding)

The Fund for Innovation in Development (FID) is a French-government-backed initiative chaired by Nobel laureate Esther Duflo. Its mission is to finance innovations that have a strong evidence base for reducing poverty and inequality in low- and middle-income countries. Unlike traditional funding, FID focuses on robust evidence of impact rather than speculative claims. FID supports a diverse range of innovators, including social enterprises, for-profit companies, NGOs, research institutions, and public bodies. The funding is structured in stages—from preparation to pilot, impact evaluation, and scale-up—allowing projects to build evidence progressively and de-risk the innovation process. FID's approach is inclusive, welcoming applications from India as it is on the OECD DAC list of low- and middle-income countries.

• Non-dilutive grants up to ₹36 Crore
• Supports poverty and inequality solutions
• Open to diverse organizations globally
• Staged funding from preparation to scale
• Rolling applications accepted year-round
• Technical support and network access

Any organization—including social enterprises, for-profit companies, NGOs, research institutions, and public bodies—operating in low- or middle-income countries (as defined by the OECD DAC list) may apply. Projects must demonstrate a strong potential for reducing poverty and inequality and be backed by robust evidence of impact. Indian entities are eligible. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

FID – Fund for Innovation in Development (Innovative Project Funding) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

FID – Fund for Innovation in Development (Innovative Project Funding) accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Non-dilutive grants are available across four stages:

• Preparation & concept validation: Up to ₹45 lakh (€50,000)
• Pilot projects (real-world testing): Up to ₹1.8 crore (€200,000)
• Impact evaluation (rigorous validation): Up to ₹13.5 crore (€1,500,000)
• Scale-up (proven impact): Up to ₹36 crore (€4,000,000)

Beyond funding, FID provides technical support—helping innovators refine strategies and measure impact—and access to an evidence-focused network of experts and partners.

FID – Fund for Innovation in Development (Innovative Project Funding) is offered by Fund for Innovation in Development, a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The multi-stage process includes:

1. Eligibility screening – Checking alignment with FID's mission and thematic areas.
2. Expert committee review – Rigorous assessment of novelty, feasibility, scalability, and potential to generate robust evidence of impact. The theory of change, methodology, and team capacity are scrutinized.
3. Interviews (if shortlisted) – Some applicants may be invited to present their proposals or elaborate on their project.
4. Final decision – Typically communicated within three months of submission.

Before you apply to FID – Fund for Innovation in Development (Innovative Project Funding), keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

FID – Fund for Innovation in Development (Innovative Project Funding) is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹45L – ₹36Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.