Grant Assistance
OFID considers grant financing to be an important instrument of development. Its grant program is thus tailored to support initiatives that enhance livelihoods by addressing challenges in areas such as education, energy poverty, food security, public health, water supply and sanitation, which may not be directly funded through other financing windows.
OFID’s grant program includes technical assistance for small-scale social schemes, sponsorship for research and other intellectual pursuits, and humanitarian aid. In addition, OFID runs special programs for health, Palestine and energy poverty. The latter is a particular priority and complements the financing provided through other mechanisms in support of OFID’s Energy for the Poor Initiative.
As of December 31, 2016, OFID had provided some US$632.5m in outright grants across all programs, working with UN agencies and a host of international and national NGOs, among many other partners, to meet the needs of the vulnerable, marginalized and very poor. This figure includes grants approved through obsolete programs and special contributions to other organizations such as the Common Fund for Commodities and IFAD.
Application for Grants
Eligibility
*Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela
How to apply
Frequently asked questions
How should our organization apply for a grant?
A: Applicants must complete a grant application form and include their organization’s registration certificate. The application can be submitted either electronically via
Email: grants@ofid.org or by fax.
Q: Will we be notified if our application is rejected?
A. While OFID automatically acknowledges receipt of all grant applications, only organizations whose applications are being considered will be contacted.
Q: When the electronic application is submitted, should a hard copy be sent as well?
A: No, please do not send a hard copy.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
A: Those eligible are international, national, regional and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that supply proof of their financial and legal status. Please be advised that individuals, private entities and OFID Member States are not eligible to apply for assistance.
Q: Is there an application deadline?
A: There is no set application deadline. Some of the smaller grants in support of research and intellectual pursuits are approved on an ad hoc basis. The larger technical assistance grant proposals are presented at OFID’s Governing Board meetings held four times per year.
Q: Do you have any geographic restrictions?
A: As mentioned previously, OFID Member States are not eligible to receive grant assistance. High priority is always given to initiatives that benefit the low-income, least-developed countries. All OFID assistance is earmarked for purposes that contribute to the recipient country’s socio-economic progress.
Q: If our request is declined, may we reapply?
A: Not if the request falls outside of OFID’s activities, or does not comply with the guidelines as outlined above. On some occasions, however, an application/project is declined because the grant budget has been fully committed at that time. In such a case, an application may be submitted at a later date. Please keep in mind, however, that while OFID does its best to distribute its resources fairly and equitably, it cannot respond favorably to each and every grant request it receives.
Q: What proposals are not eligible?
A: As mentioned above, proposals submitted by individuals, private entities and OFID Member States are ineligible. In addition, OFID does not support the purchase of luxury goods or armaments, and any items that are ethically objectionable.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.