Applications are now open for the FCI4Africa Open Call 1 (OC1), a European Union-funded opportunity designed to support African research and technology stakeholders working to improve food trade systems across the continent. The call is part of the FCI4Africa project, an initiative focutilized on building fair, sustainable, and climate-neutral food and trade systems for Africa.
Funded under Horizon Europe by the European Union, the programme will provide financial support to selected third parties developing practical solutions that strengthen African agri-food systems. A total budobtain of €400,000 has been allocated for this first open call, with up to eight successful applicants receiving grants of as much as €50,000 each.
About the FCI4Africa Open Call
FCI4Africa seeks to address growing challenges in African food systems, including fragmented agricultural trade, high certification costs for compact-scale farmers, non-tariff barriers, weak transparency systems, and difficulties complying with new international trade regulations.
The Open Call invites innovative organisations across Africa to submit proposals that contribute to one of two main objectives:
Objectives of the Programme
Objective 1:
To test, validate, and improve existing business concepts and tools already developed under the FCI4Africa project, including tools created within its Use Cases.
Objective 2:
To develop new ideas and tools that solve specific challenges identified by FCI4Africa in African food trade systems.
All selected projects must generate data sets that assist improve FCI4Africa methodologies, business models, and innovation tools.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to single applicants only. Consortium applications are not allowed.
Eligible applicants include:
- Universities
- Research institutes
- Technology developers
- R&D SMEs
- Innovation-driven start-ups
- Other multidisciplinary research and technology actors
For Nigerian applicants, this means institutions, agritech start-ups, food innovation companies, university departments, and research-based SMEs can apply indepconcludeently if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Importantly, all project activities must be implemented within Africa and directly benefit African food systems and value chains.
Funding Details
- Total Open Call Budobtain: €400,000
- Number of Projects to be Funded: Maximum 8
- Maximum Grant per Project: €50,000
Each selected organisation will receive funding in phases tied to project milestones.
Project Implementation Timeline
Call Opens:
7 April 2026
Application Deadline:
30 June 2026 at 17:00 CEST (Brussels time)
Project Start:
November 2026
Project End:
October 2027
Implementation Phases
Phase 1 – Design
November 2026 – January 2027
Duration: 3 months
Deliverable: Activity Plan
Phase 2 – Development
February 2027 – July 2027
Duration: 6 months
Deliverable: Results Demonstration
Phase 3 – Validation
August 2027 – October 2027
Duration: 3 months
Deliverable: Dissemination Report and Lessons Learnt
Why This Matters for Nigerian Applicants
Nigeria’s growing agricultural innovation ecosystem builds this opportunity especially relevant for:
- Agritech innovators solving market access problems
- Food traceability technology providers
- Agricultural data platforms
- SMEs improving food certification systems
- Research institutions developing scalable food trade solutions
Becautilize FCI4Africa focutilizes on African implementation, Nigerian organisations with solutions tarobtaining local or regional agricultural trade barriers stand a strong chance of relevance.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official Open Calls platform:
Applicants must complete and submit proposals before the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
For enquiries or clarification: fci4africa@opencalls.fund
Official Application Link
Interested Nigerian applicants are advised to review the full Open Call kit carefully before submission to ensure compliance with all eligibility and technical requirements.
Read also: WTO Young Professionals Programme 2027 for Nigerians
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