The Rockefeller Foundation Global Call: Strengthening Food Systems Resilience and Public Health Capacity in Low-Income Countries

The Rockefeller Foundation's Global Call for Strengthening Food Systems Resilience and Public Health Capacity in Low-Income Countries is a landmark initiative that recognizes the deep interconnections between the way we produce and consume food and the health of populations. This grant opportunity, launched in 2025 with a deadline of October 1, 2026, invites applications from a wide range of organizations—nonprofits, universities, social enterprises—that are working at the intersection of food systems and public health. The Foundation aims to catalyze systemic change by funding projects that not only improve immediate food security and health outcomes but also build lasting capacity within local institutions. A core premise is that resilience must be built from the ground up, empowering communities to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to shocks like climate change, pandemics, and economic volatility. The call is especially timely as many low-income countries are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in both food supply chains and health systems. The Foundation has allocated a total of $50 million for this call, with individual grants ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, typically over three to five years. Projects can focus on rural or peri-urban areas and must include a strong component of monitoring and evaluation to track progress. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of using data and technology, such as mobile platforms for nutrition tracking or early warning systems for outbreaks. Furthermore, the donor encourages proposals that integrate gender and youth empowerment, ensuring that interventions are inclusive and equitable. This overview provides a roadmap for organizations to navigate the application process, highlighting critical elements like eligibility, donor priorities, and strategic alignment with SDGs. GSLI recommends that potential applicants review their organizational capacity against these requirements and leverage relevant short courses to address gaps.

This call is open to legally registered non-profit organizations, including international and local NGOs, community-based organizations, academic and research institutions, and social enterprises with a demonstrated focus on food systems and public health. Priority will be given to organizations that work directly with vulnerable populations in low-income countries, particularly those active in Sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Ethiopia, Nigeria, Malawi) and South Asia (e.g., Bangladesh, Nepal). Applicants must have a minimum of five years of operational experience in at least one of the focus areas—food security, nutrition, or public health—and a proven track record of implementing donor-funded programs (e.g., USAID, DFID, EU). The Foundation encourages consortia applications that leverage complementary expertise, such as partnerships between agricultural extension services and local health ministries. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility with annual budgets exceeding $500,000 and have robust financial management systems, including audit histories. Special consideration will be given to women-led organizations and those that amplify marginalized voices. The call explicitly excludes for-profit entities, government agencies (except as partners), and individuals. GSLI recommends that potential applicants review their organizational capacity against these criteria and consider enrolling in the Grants Management and Writing Winning Proposals courses to strengthen their application.

The Rockefeller Foundation's global priorities for this call revolve around three interconnected pillars: (1) Strengthening food system resilience through climate-smart agriculture, reduction of food loss and waste, and promotion of diverse, nutrient-dense crops; (2) Enhancing public health capacity via integrated disease surveillance, community health worker training, and strengthening primary healthcare linkages; and (3) Fostering multi-sectoral governance and community engagement. Investment KPIs include a 20% increase in dietary diversity scores among target populations, 30% reduction in post-harvest losses, and establishment of functional early warning systems for both food insecurity and disease outbreaks. Proposals must align with the Foundation's 'Precision Public Health' approach, leveraging data and technology for targeted interventions. The donor expects grantees to contribute to the UN Food Systems Summit's action tracks and SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 13 (Climate Action). Successful applications will demonstrate scalability, sustainability through local ownership, and integration with national policies. Applicants should articulate clear logframes with baseline and target values, and include a plan for adaptive management. The Foundation also prioritizes projects that address gender dynamics and youth engagement, with a specific target of 50% female beneficiaries in leadership roles. GSLI's short course on Project Management for Development can help applicants design robust project frameworks that align with these KPIs.

Comprehensive eligibility criteria include: (A) Financial viability: The applicant organization must have an annual operating budget of at least $500,000 for the past two fiscal years, audited financial statements, and a demonstrated ability to manage grants of $500,000 or more. Banking details must be verified, and the organization must have a valid registration as a non-profit entity in its home country. (B) Spatial focus: Proposals must target low-income countries as defined by the World Bank classification (GNI per capita ≤ $1,135). Priority areas include but are not limited to Sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Mali, Niger, Uganda) and South Asia (e.g., Afghanistan, Nepal). Projects must be implemented in underserved rural or peri-urban areas with high food insecurity and weak health systems. (C) Corporate legal audit: Applicants must submit proof of legal registration (e.g., certificate of incorporation), tax exemption status, board of directors listing, and organizational chart. Any history of legal infractions or mismanagement may disqualify the applicant. (D) Experience: The organization must have at least five years of experience in food systems or public health, with at least two completed projects of similar scale (over $250,000) in the target region. References from past donors are required. (E) Partnership structure: If applying as a consortium, a lead applicant must be identified, with a memorandum of understanding signed by all partners. Each partner must individually meet the eligibility criteria. The Foundation reserves the right to conduct site visits and financial audits at any time. GSLI recommends that organizations strengthen their eligibility by completing the Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain courses to ensure robust fiscal and operational systems.

To maximize chances of securing funding, follow this strategic roadmap integrating GSLI training: Step 1: Assess Organizational Readiness. Conduct a gap analysis using GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to evaluate your financial systems, reporting capabilities, and compliance history. Ensure your organization meets eligibility criteria, including minimum budget and years of experience. Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium. Use GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course to identify and engage complementary partners (e.g., local health ministries, agricultural research centers). Draft a detailed partnership agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and data-sharing protocols. Step 3: Develop a Theory of Change Aligned with Donor Priorities. Enroll in GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' courses to craft a compelling narrative linking food systems resilience to public health outcomes. Create a logical framework with SMART indicators (e.g., ‘20% increase in dietary diversity within 2 years’). Use evidence from past projects to demonstrate feasibility. Step 4: Design an Implementation Plan with Risk Mitigation. Take GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to structure a phased approach (e.g., Phase 1: baseline assessment and community engagement; Phase 2: intervention roll-out with integrated M&E). Include a risk matrix addressing common pitfalls like supply chain disruptions, and outline mitigation strategies (e.g., local sourcing agreements). Step 5: Prepare a Comprehensive Budget. Use GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course to cost interventions realistically, including direct costs (e.g., inputs, training) and indirect costs (e.g., administrative overhead capped at 15%). Ensure alignment with the Foundation's approved cost categories. Step 6: Submit a Strong Application. On the Rockefeller Foundation's online portal, upload all required documents (audits, registration, CVs of key staff). Include letters of support from government partners. Before submission, have your proposal reviewed by a GSLI mentor through the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course. Step 7: Plan for Post-Award Compliance. Enroll in 'Financial Management for NGOs' to set up accounting systems that meet donor reporting requirements. Designate a grant manager to oversee quarterly narrative and financial reports. By proactively building capacity through GSLI courses, your organization significantly enhances its competitiveness for this call.