United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Call for Proposals Grant

About this grant

The Adaptation Fund provides financing for concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The Fund supports projects across multiple sectors including agriculture, coastal zone management, disaster risk reduction, ecosystem-based adaptation, food security, forests, innovation, rural development, transboundary water management, urban development, and water management. Countries must submit proposals through accredited institutions in three categories: National Implementing Entities (NIEs), Regional Implementing Entities (RIEs), or Multilateral Implementing Entities (MIEs). The Fund offers multiple funding windows including project and programme funding, readiness grants, innovation grants, learning grants, and project scale-up grants. The Adaptation Fund Board reviews proposals against specific criteria outlined in the Operational Policies and Guidelines, and submissions are now accepted on a rolling basis with automatic inclusion in upcoming Board meeting agendas once technically recommended.

Eligibility

Only developing countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change may access Adaptation Fund resources. Proposals must be submitted through accredited institutions: National Implementing Entities (NIEs) which operate under the Direct Access modality, Regional Implementing Entities (RIEs), or Multilateral Implementing Entities (MIEs). To apply, countries must first ensure their implementing entity is accredited by the Adaptation Fund's Accreditation Panel. After accreditation, entities may submit concept or full project proposals. Projects must be aligned with national adaptation priorities. The Fund also offers readiness grants to help National Implementing Entities provide peer support to countries seeking accreditation and to build capacity for climate finance readiness activities.

How it's scored

Proposals are reviewed against specific criteria outlined in the Adaptation Fund's Operational Policies and Guidelines. The review process is conducted by the Adaptation Fund Board, which makes funding decisions based on recommendations from technical review. Submissions are now accepted on a rolling basis, and once proposals are technically recommended, they are automatically included in the agenda of the upcoming Board meeting. The evaluation process is the same across all funding windows including regular project and programme proposals, locally-led adaptation grants, innovation grants, learning grants, and project scale-up grants.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant country must be a Party to the Kyoto Protocol
• ✓Priority given to developing countries particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts
• ✓Primary applicants are government organizations (national ministries, development institutes, local authorities)
• ✓Projects must address adverse impacts of climate change through adaptation measures

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Call for Proposals?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL, GLOBAL-SOUTH; local-authority, nonprofit, research-institution. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.