ActionAid Nigeria Strategic Innovation Fund 2026: Apply for Up to ₦20 Million Grant

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Category: Grants

Published on Friday, 09 October 2026 00:00

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ActionAid Nigeria has opened applications for the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) 2026, an opportunity supporting innovative projects that promote and protect the rights of women and girls in Nigeria.

The fund is being implemented under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project, with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Selected organisations can receive up to ₦20 million per innovative idea, with up to five ideas expected to be supported in this funding round. Successful projects are expected to run for between six months and one year.

What is the ActionAid Nigeria Strategic Innovation Fund?

The Strategic Innovation Fund is designed to help women’s rights organisations and networks in Nigeria develop, test and implement creative approaches to challenges affecting women and girls.

The fund is particularly interested in ideas that can go beyond traditional approaches and create practical solutions that can potentially be expanded or replicated.

Innovation may involve:

• Developing a new approach to an existing gender-related challenge

• Adapting an existing solution to a different community or context

• Using technology to advance women's rights

• Creating community-driven solutions

• Developing new advocacy or policy approaches

• Building partnerships to address systemic barriers

• Testing models that can potentially be scaled

The overall goal is to support initiatives that contribute to gender equality, gender justice and meaningful change in the lives of women and girls.

How Much Funding Is Available?

ActionAid Nigeria will support up to five innovative ideas during this funding round.

Each selected idea can receive:

Up to ₦20 million in grant funding

Projects should be designed for implementation over a period of six months to one year.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to established women-led organisations looking for NGO funding, women's rights grants, project funding and nonprofit funding in Nigeria.

Who Can Apply?

The Strategic Innovation Fund is open to women’s rights organisations and women’s rights networks operating in Nigeria.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate that they:

• Are a women’s rights organisation or network

• Are women-led and operating in Nigeria

• Have an innovative, creative and strategic idea

• Can demonstrate how the proposed intervention will benefit women and girls

• Can contribute to gender equality and gender justice

• Can demonstrate potential for systemic change

• Have the capacity to implement the proposed project within the required timeframe

• Can achieve measurable results from the proposed intervention

What Types of Projects Are Encouraged?

ActionAid Nigeria is looking for innovative interventions addressing important challenges affecting women and girls.

Potential areas include:

Violence Against Women and Girls

Projects addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and improving protection, support, prevention or advocacy for women and girls affected by violence.

Women's Economic Justice and Empowerment

Innovative initiatives that support women's economic participation, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, livelihoods or economic empowerment may be relevant where they directly contribute to women's rights.

Women's Political Participation and Leadership

Projects that encourage women's participation in political processes, leadership, policymaking and advocacy can also fit within the fund's priorities.

Women and Girls Facing Structural Exclusion

ActionAid Nigeria specifically highlights the importance of reaching groups that are often excluded from mainstream programmes.

These include:

• Women and girls with disabilities

• Women and girls affected by conflict

• Women and girls on the move or returnees

• Female inmates

• GBV victims and survivors

• Out-of-school girls

• Elderly women

• Women in politics

Applicants should carefully explain how their proposed idea responds to a genuine problem and why an innovative approach is needed.

How to Apply for the Strategic Innovation Fund 2026

Interested organisations must use the official Strategic Innovation Fund application template provided by ActionAid Nigeria.

Applicants are required to submit:

• The completed Expression of Interest/application template

• The required grant budget

• An organisational profile

• Other documents requested in the official call

Completed applications should be submitted by email to:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applicants should use the following email subject:

Strategic Innovation Fund September 2026

Official Application Information

View the official ActionAid Nigeria Strategic Innovation Fund 2026 call and download the application templates

The official page contains the application template, grant budget template and detailed submission requirements.

Important Application Rules

Applicants should pay close attention to the following requirements before submitting their Expression of Interest.

Only One Application Per Organisation

ActionAid Nigeria states that only one application per organisation will be considered.

Use the Official Template

Applications must be prepared using the required template. Applications submitted outside the prescribed format may be disqualified.

Shortlisted Applicants Will Be Contacted

Because of the expected volume of applications, ActionAid Nigeria states that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Applicants Cover Their Own Application Costs

ActionAid Nigeria will not be responsible for costs incurred by applicants during the application process.

Important: ActionAid Nigeria Prohibits AI-Generated Application Content

This is particularly important for anyone planning to apply.

ActionAid Nigeria states that the use of Artificial Intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and similar platforms, to draft, structure or generate application narratives, project descriptions or advocacy goals is strictly prohibited.

According to the official call, using AI for these parts of the application can result in automatic disqualification.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their application responses, project ideas and advocacy objectives are developed and written by the organisation in accordance with the fund's official requirements.

Key Details at a Glance

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Conclusion

The ActionAid Nigeria Strategic Innovation Fund 2026 presents a significant funding opportunity for eligible women’s rights organisations and networks developing innovative solutions for women and girls in Nigeria.

With funding of up to ₦20 million per selected idea, the opportunity may be particularly valuable for organisations working on gender equality, women's economic justice, political participation, gender-based violence, advocacy and other issues affecting structurally excluded women and girls.

However, organisations should carefully review the official guidelines before applying and ensure that their proposal meets the eligibility, formatting and submission requirements.

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