Large Grants
What are the IKI Large Grants?
The new IKI Large Grants, which combine the previous Thematic and Country calls, address current challenges in climate change mitigation, adaptation to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity conservation every year.
The respective thematic and country priorities are based on decisions arising from international negotiations conducted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The priorities also reflect the strategic objectives and geographical focus for the funding programme as outlined in the “Strategy of the International Climate Initiative up to 2030”.
The country priorities are closely coordinated with the partner ministries in the respective IKI priority countries. The outlines for country priorities are also assessed and selected in close consultation with the partner ministries.
Depending on the thematic or country priority, IKI funding per project may range between 5 and 20 million euros.
How much funding is provided?
5 to 20 million euros
Who receives funding?
Several organisations and/or companies in a consortium.
How long do the projects run for?
Up to 8 years.
How often is funding provided?
Annual selection procedure planned.
Where is funding provided?
Bilateral, regional or global
Who can participate in the ideas competition?
Participation in the ideas competition of IKI Large Grants is open to the following organisations:
- Non-governmental organisations;
- Universities and research institutions;
- International intergovernmental organisations and institutions such as development banks;
- United Nations organisations and programmes;
- Implementing organisations of the Federal Republic of Germany;
- Commercial enterprises.
Partner country governments and individuals cannot participate in the ideas competition.
How are the projects selected?
The IKI Large Grants project selection procedure takes place in two phases. In the first phase (outline phase), interested implementing organisations are invited to submit project outlines within the framework of an ideas competition. The ministries involved in the IKI usually select one or two project outlines per thematic priority from all submissions. For the country priorities, the respective IKI priority countries are closely involved in the selection process. In the second phase (proposal phase), the organisations whose project outlines have been selected (from the first phase), are invited to submit a detailed proposal.
Phase 1: outline phase
After you submitted an outline to an IKI Large Grants ideas competition, it will first be checked to see whether it meets the minimum requirements. In case it is also one of the most promising project ideas, your idea will be shortlisted. Based on the IKI selection criteria, your outline is then reviewed in depth internally and externally by independent experts. An overview of the selection criteria is available for download. Detailed information on each call can be found in the call's funding information. Based on the review results and the budget available, the responsible ministries will select project outlines to be pursued further in the second phase - for the country priorities in close consultation with the partner ministries of the respective IKI priority countries.
Selection criteria of the last IKI Large Grants Call as an example:
Phase 2: proposal phase
After you submitted an outline as part of an IKI Large Grants ideas competition and it is selected in the review process, then it is at the second stage in the selection process: the proposal phase.
As the applicant submitting the selected project outline, you will receive at the beginning of this phase a written request to submit a detailed project proposal. We recommend including a preparation phase to work on your detailed proposal.
With the benefit of a preparation phase, projects can be optimally adjusted to local circumstances in the countries of implementation, the data required for detailed planning can be procured and a tailor-made support strategy can be developed. The expenditures incurred in the preparation phase is eligible for funding as part of the overall project budget.
Further information including key requirements and the essential templates can be found on this information page on the proposal phase for the IKI Large Grants.
Once the IKI Office at Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft gGmbH (ZUG) has reviewed the detailed project proposal, a final decision will be made as to funding/project commissioning. The implementation phase can then start, which runs for up to eight years.
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