Apply for the CGIAR CapSha South–South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026. NAREES institutions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America can win US$15,000 grants for innovative agricultural partnerships,
Are you part of a National Agricultural Research, Extension and Education System (NAREES) institution with an innovative idea that could strengthen agricultural research and innovation across the Global South?
The CGIAR Capacity Sharing Accelerator (CapSha) has officially opened applications for the South–South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026, offering three grants of US$15,000 each to support transformative capacity-sharing partnerships.
The challenge seeks bold, collaborative ideas that move beyond traditional training programmes and instead foster long-term institutional partnerships, knowledge co-creation, and sustainable innovation. One winning proposal will be selected from Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, making this an exceptional opportunity for research institutions to pilot new approaches that strengthen agricultural systems and improve food security.
Applications close on 7 August 2026 at 23:59 IST.
About the CGIAR Capacity Sharing Accelerator (CapSha)
The CGIAR Capacity Sharing Accelerator (CapSha) is an initiative designed to strengthen institutional capacity by promoting equitable collaboration among research and education organizations across the Global South. Rather than focusing solely on individual training, CapSha encourages organizations to build lasting partnerships that generate shared knowledge, enhance innovation, and improve agricultural research systems.
The South–South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge reflects CGIAR’s commitment to fostering peer learning and strengthening research institutions that play a critical role in addressing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural development.
About the South–South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge
The Innovation Pitch Challenge invites eligible institutions to submit creative proposals for collaborative projects that strengthen agricultural research, extension, and education systems.
Unlike conventional capacity-building initiatives, the challenge encourages applicants to develop ideas that create long-term institutional change through partnerships, shared expertise, and collaborative innovation.
Successful proposals should demonstrate how participating institutions will work together to develop sustainable solutions that continue delivering impact beyond the project period.
Grant Funding Available
Three outstanding proposals will each receive a grant of US$15,000.
Funding will be awarded to one winning proposal from each of the following regions:
- Africa
- Asia
- Latin America and the Caribbean
The grants are intended to support the implementation of innovative capacity-sharing initiatives that strengthen institutional collaboration and research excellence.
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to National Agricultural Research, Extension and Education System (NAREES) institutions located within eligible countries in:
- Africa
- Asia
- Latin America and the Caribbean
Institutions are encouraged to submit collaborative proposals that demonstrate strong partnerships and a commitment to advancing agricultural research and innovation.
What Kind of Ideas Are Being Sought?
CGIAR is looking for innovative ideas that move beyond one-off workshops or isolated training programmes.
Competitive proposals should focus on approaches such as:
- Co-creating knowledge across institutions
- Sharing technical expertise
- Developing collaborative research partnerships
- Testing innovative approaches to institutional learning
- Building sustainable organizational capacity
- Strengthening South–South cooperation
- Promoting equitable knowledge exchange
- Enhancing long-term collaboration between research institutions
The emphasis is on creating partnerships that continue generating value long after the initial grant period has ended.
Why South–South Collaboration Matters
Many agricultural challenges—including climate change, food insecurity, land degradation, and declining biodiversity—are shared across countries in the Global South.
South–South collaboration enables institutions facing similar challenges to:
- Exchange practical solutions
- Share locally relevant innovations
- Build regional expertise
- Strengthen research networks
- Improve agricultural extension services
- Accelerate the adoption of successful practices
- Reduce duplication of effort
- Develop context-specific innovations
By encouraging collaboration among institutions with shared experiences, the CapSha initiative helps strengthen agricultural systems while fostering long-term partnerships.
Benefits of Participating
Successful applicants will receive much more than financial support.
Participation offers opportunities to:
- Secure US$15,000 in grant funding
- Build international institutional partnerships
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Test innovative collaboration models
- Expand regional research networks
- Enhance knowledge exchange
- Increase institutional visibility
- Contribute to stronger agricultural innovation systems
The initiative is particularly valuable for institutions seeking to establish sustainable regional and international collaborations.
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
While specific evaluation criteria may be provided during the application process, strong proposals are likely to demonstrate:
- Clear collaboration between partner institutions
- Innovative approaches to capacity sharing
- Long-term sustainability
- Practical implementation plans
- Strong institutional commitment
- Potential for measurable impact
- Opportunities for shared learning
- Scalability and replication
Projects that promote mutual learning and equitable partnerships are expected to be particularly competitive.
Application Deadline
Interested institutions should ensure that their applications are submitted before:
Deadline: 7 August 2026
Time: 23:59 IST
Late applications are unlikely to be considered, so applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals as early as possible.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Agricultural research institutions play a central role in developing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing development challenges, including food security, climate adaptation, and sustainable resource management.
By supporting collaborative innovation rather than isolated training activities, the CapSha South–South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge aims to create stronger institutions capable of delivering lasting impact across the Global South.
The initiative recognizes that sustainable development is strengthened when institutions work together, share expertise, and jointly develop solutions tailored to regional contexts.
Final Thoughts
The CGIAR CapSha South–South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for NAREES institutions to secure US$15,000 in funding while building stronger partnerships that advance agricultural research, innovation, and institutional learning.
Organizations with bold ideas for collaborative capacity sharing are encouraged to prepare competitive proposals before the 7 August 2026 deadline and take advantage of this unique opportunity to strengthen agricultural systems across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
