Cycle 1 Call for Proposals opens 15 June 2026. GMD 15,000,000 available across 10 funding windows. View Funding Windows →

General Eligibility: All Windows

  • Legally registered and operational in The Gambia
  • No outstanding, unresolved NRIF compliance issue
  • Proposed activities within scope of relevant window
  • Complete application submitted via NRIF digital portal by the deadline

Evaluation System

The Merit of Proposal (MP) score is the weighted sum of criterion scores awarded by the Technical Advisory Committee. A proposal scoring zero on any single criterion is ineligible regardless of its total MP score.

Apply via Portal →
app.nrif.gm/portal/

All 10 Funding Windows

Click any window to expand eligibility criteria, eligible activities, and the Apply button.

Eligible Activities
  • Evidence generation for policy development
  • Data systems and administrative registries
  • Regulatory impact studies
  • Baseline surveys aligned with NDP priorities
  • Digital governance infrastructure research
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be a government ministry, sub-vented agency, or regulatory body operating under Gambian law. NAQAA accreditation not required for this window.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Technical and scientific merit
  • National development impact
  • Team capacity and qualifications
  • Implementation plan and timeline
  • Budget justification

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Research methodology training programmes
  • Institutional research capacity building
  • Fellowship and mentorship schemes
  • Research management systems development
Window-Specific Eligibility

Open to universities, government agencies, LGAs, civil society organisations, and innovation intermediaries legally registered in The Gambia.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Capacity building methodology
  • Reach and beneficiary impact
  • Institutional sustainability plan
  • Team qualifications
  • Budget efficiency

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Laboratory and research facility upgrades
  • Data management and open-access repository development
  • Research equipment procurement
  • Shared infrastructure for multi-institutional use
Window-Specific Eligibility

Current NAQAA accreditation evidence required. Institutions must demonstrate an existing research mandate and capacity to maintain funded infrastructure.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Infrastructure need and gap analysis
  • Sustainability and maintenance plan
  • Multi-user access provisions
  • Alignment with FAIR data principles
  • Budget justification

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Prototype development and product iteration
  • Market feasibility and commercialisation studies
  • Regulatory pathway navigation support
  • Scale-up and market access activities
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be a registered innovation hub, start-up, or SME legally registered in The Gambia. Evidence of prior development stage required.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Innovation potential and originality
  • Commercial viability
  • National economic impact
  • Team and operational capacity
  • Milestone plan and budget

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate research projects
  • Student innovation competitions and showcases
  • Supervised applied research with national relevance
  • Student-led innovation lab initiatives
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be an enrolled undergraduate or postgraduate student at a NAQAA-accredited institution. Applications must be co-signed by a faculty supervisor.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Research quality and methodology
  • Supervisor endorsement and support
  • National relevance
  • Student development potential
  • Budget appropriateness

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • TVET curriculum reform and modernisation
  • Industry-linked skills development programmes
  • Workforce readiness research
  • Applied skills innovation pilots
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be a TVET institution affiliated with NAFTI and hold current NAQAA accreditation. Applications must demonstrate direct linkage to labour market needs.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Labour market alignment
  • Curriculum innovation quality
  • NAFTI affiliation and NAQAA accreditation
  • Graduate employment outcomes plan
  • Budget justification

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Design and implementation of M&E frameworks
  • Impact evaluation studies and baseline assessments
  • Learning documentation and knowledge management systems
  • Data quality assurance and results measurement systems
  • Programme evaluation commissioned by public institutions
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be a research institution, government agency, or CSO with a demonstrated M&E mandate or credible capacity development plan. Activities must generate learning that can inform national programme delivery.

Evaluation Criteria
  • M&E design quality and methodological rigour
  • National learning and accountability value
  • Team M&E expertise and track record
  • Stakeholder engagement and dissemination plan
  • Budget justification

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Local development evidence and data collection
  • Provincial service delivery innovation
  • Community-based research initiatives
  • Local government capacity and systems strengthening
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be a legally constituted LGA or Area Council operating under the Local Government Act. Funds channelled through established Area Council structures.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Local development relevance
  • Community engagement and co-design
  • LGA institutional capacity
  • Sustainability after grant period
  • Budget justification

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Joint research and innovation consortia projects
  • Cross-sector knowledge exchange programmes
  • Public-private research partnerships
  • Multi-stakeholder innovation platforms
Window-Specific Eligibility

Applicant must be a formally constituted consortium of at least three organisations from different sectors. Lead institution must be registered in The Gambia.

Evaluation Criteria
  • Consortium composition and complementarity
  • Partnership governance structure
  • Cross-sector value creation
  • Sustainability and knowledge transfer plan
  • Budget and cost-sharing

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Eligible Activities
  • Diaspora-led research initiatives with Gambian institutions
  • International joint research projects
  • Technology and knowledge transfer programmes
  • Diplomatic and bilateral research partnerships
Window-Specific Eligibility

Lead applicant must be a Gambian diaspora professional or international institution. A Gambian co-applicant institution registered in The Gambia is required. Joint activities must have direct national benefit.

Evaluation Criteria
  • National benefit and knowledge transfer
  • Diaspora or international partner credentials
  • Gambian co-applicant capacity
  • Sustainability and local embedding
  • Budget justification

Minimum passing score: 7.0 / 10

Ready to Apply?

The Application Portal is now open for Cycle 1 submissions. Access all documents, guidelines, and frequently asked questions to submit a competitive proposal.

Go to Application Portal → Download Grants Manual Download Call for Proposals