ActionAid Nigeria has launched the 2026 edition of its Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), offering grants of up to ₦20 million per selected initiative to women’s rights organisations and networks operating in Nigeria.
The funding is aimed at organisations developing creative solutions to persistent challenges affecting women and girls, particularly projects capable of influencing systems, strengthening advocacy and advancing gender equality.
The programme is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project, with up to five innovative initiatives expected to receive support.
What the Strategic Innovation Fund Is Looking For
The SIF is designed to give women’s rights organisations an opportunity to develop, test and strengthen new approaches to gender-related challenges.
Innovation could involve creating a completely new solution, adapting an existing intervention, using technology differently, developing community-led approaches or establishing new partnerships.
Applicants can also propose innovative advocacy strategies or other approaches capable of producing meaningful improvements in the lives of women and girls.
Four Key Areas Are Highlighted
Proposed projects must contribute to advancing the rights of women and girls, with ActionAid Nigeria highlighting several priority areas.
These include violence against women and girls, where organisations can develop new approaches to prevention, protection and advocacy.
Another area is support for women affected by conflict, displacement and migration, while proposals focused on women’s economic justice and empowerment are also eligible.
The fund additionally seeks initiatives that can strengthen women’s political participation and leadership, including efforts aimed at influencing policies and increasing women’s involvement in public decision-making.
Organisations Must Meet Strict Eligibility Requirements
The opportunity is open to women’s rights organisations and networks operating in Nigeria.
Applicants must be women-led and demonstrate that their proposed intervention is innovative, strategic, creative and capable of delivering measurable benefits for women and girls.
They will also need to show how their idea can contribute to gender equality and gender justice, complement existing interventions and potentially be expanded or replicated.
Organisations must demonstrate sufficient capacity to implement the proposed project within the relatively short funding period and produce measurable results.
Fund Targets Structurally Excluded Women and Girls
ActionAid Nigeria is particularly encouraging proposals aimed at groups that experience structural exclusion.
Priority groups include women and girls with disabilities, women affected by conflict, women on the move or returnees, female inmates, survivors of gender-based violence, out-of-school girls, elderly women and women in politics.
Organisations working with other structurally excluded groups may also apply where their proposed interventions align with the objectives of the fund.
Up to ₦20m Available for Each Winning Idea
The 2026 funding round will support up to five innovative ideas, with each successful initiative eligible for a grant of up to ₦20 million.
The projects are expected to run for between six months and one year.
The ₦20 million figure represents the maximum amount available to each selected initiative rather than a single fund that will be shared among all successful applicants.
Applicants Must Follow the Official Template
Interested organisations are required to submit the official Strategic Innovation Fund application template along with an organisational profile.
Only one application is permitted per organisation, and submissions must use the prescribed format.
ActionAid Nigeria warns that applications submitted outside the required template may be disqualified. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, while expenses incurred during the application process will not be reimbursed.
AI-Generated Applications Face Disqualification
One of the most important conditions in the call concerns the use of artificial intelligence.
ActionAid Nigeria states that applicants must not use AI tools, including ChatGPT or similar platforms, to draft, structure or generate application narratives, project descriptions or advocacy goals.
According to the fund’s guidelines, the use of AI for these sections will result in automatic disqualification.
Applicants should therefore prepare their responses themselves and carefully follow the requirements contained in the official application documents.
October 12 Deadline Set for Applications
The 2026 Strategic Innovation Fund opened on September 23, 2026, giving eligible organisations a limited period to prepare and submit their proposals.
Applications must be submitted by 12 midnight on October 12, 2026.
Organisations interested in the opportunity should obtain the official application and budget templates before preparing their submissions.
How Eligible Organisations Can Apply
Completed applications and required supporting documents should be submitted by email using the instructions contained in the official call.
Applicants should use the subject line “Strategic Innovation Fund September 2026” when submitting their documents.
The official ActionAid Nigeria Feminist Hub page provides access to the relevant application and budget templates.
Access the official Strategic Innovation Fund call and application templates
Key Facts About the 2026 Fund
- Programme: Strategic Innovation Fund 2026
- Organiser: ActionAid Nigeria
- Funder: Global Affairs Canada
- Project: Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership
- Eligible applicants: Women’s rights organisations and networks in Nigeria
- Maximum grant: ₦20 million per selected initiative
- Number of awards: Up to five
- Project duration: Six months to one year
- Opening date: September 23, 2026
- Application deadline: October 12, 2026, at midnight
- Application method: Email submission using the official template
