CAPSHA South-South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026: Up to USD 15,000 Grants for Innovative Agricultural Capacity-Sharing Partnerships

Overview

The CAPSHA South-South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026 is run under the CGIAR Capacity Sharing (CapSha) Accelerator. It funds creative, demand-driven partnerships that strengthen agricultural research, extension, education and innovation systems across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The accelerator treats knowledge as something created jointly by equal partners rather than transferred from one organisation to another, and the challenge looks for ideas that improve capacity sharing between CGIAR and National Agricultural Research Extension and Education Systems (NAREES). The goals include stronger CGIAR and NAREES collaboration, scalable ideas, equitable co-creation, South-South and North-South knowledge exchange, scalable capacity strengthening models and lasting communities of practice.

What you get

The total budget is USD 45,000, split into three grants of up to USD 15,000, one each for Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The highest-ranked proposal in each region receives funding to carry out its project, along with visibility in agricultural research and innovation networks.

Who can apply

Applications must be led by a NAREES institution from Africa, Asia or Latin America and the Caribbean. Other organisations can join as partners but cannot replace the lead, and partners may include CGIAR Centers, universities in the Global North and South, government agencies, farmer producer organisations, private sector bodies, NGOs, development partners and regional organisations.

Requirements

Proposals should address real challenges in agricultural research and innovation systems, promote collaboration between institutions, encourage mutual learning, show potential for scaling and replication, strengthen food, land and water systems and support sustainable development. They are assessed on alignment with the challenge, innovation, practicality, strength of partnerships and long-term value beyond the project.

How to apply

Applicants follow the official submission process provided by the CapSha Accelerator and should make sure the lead is an eligible NAREES institution and that the proposal explains outcomes and sustainability.

Key dates

Applications open on 24 July 2026 and close on 7 August 2026 at 23:59 Indian Standard Time. Candidates selected for the pitch side event are contacted on 13 August 2026.