The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, managed by the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine, requests concept notes due by 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time on May 15, 2024, showcasing proposed research to alleviate poverty and improve nutrition, especially for marginalized populations, through the reliable and inclusive provision of nutrient-rich fish and other aquatic foods. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Fish Innovation Lab supports Feed the Future's mission to break the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger in partner countries.
This Request for Applications (RFA) requests proposals focusing on the Fish Innovation Lab's primary focus countries of Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. Other high-priority geographies included in the scope of this RFA are Ghana, Madagascar, Nepal, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Fish Innovation Lab intends to fund approximately 14 activities for a period of up to three years with anticipated start dates of December 1, 2024, through March 1, 2025. Budgets for funded activities will be between $200,000–$500,000 U.S. dollars (USD) for the period of performance. The expected average award size will be $400,000-$500,000 USD. Funded research-for-development activities will commonly involve multiple U.S., host country, and other institutions and employ an integrated, interdisciplinary research approach with strong capacity development components.
All proposals must address one or more sub-themes listed under the three major Areas of Inquiry, which are 1) climate-smart aquatic system innovations, 2) nutrition and food systems, and 3) inclusive access to improved inputs. Proposals must also directly or indirectly address the following cross-cutting themes within the context of the specific activity, as defined by USAID: 1) gender and social inclusion, 2) resilience, and 3) capacity development. At the full proposal stage, all proposals will be expected to describe a clear strategy and capacity for engaging with communities, producers, fishers, and/or industry as well as a plan to support local stakeholders in testing, adopting, and/or scaling of new technologies or improved practices. Activities will be selected through a two-step process involving a concept note and a proposal.
Concept notes are due by 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time on May 15, 2024. If invited to submit a full proposal, the deadline is July 24, 2024. The anticipated selection date is September 3, 2024. More information about the funding opportunity and complete application instructions are available on the Current Opportunities page of the Fish Innovation Lab website. Questions regarding this RFA should be emailed to fishlab@gcahfs.msstate.edu by 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time on April 24, 2024. Answers will be posted on the Current Opportunities page under the RFA document on May 3, 2024.
To apply, submit your concept note to https://fish.piestar-rfx.com/opportunities.