Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This document addresses frequently asked questions regarding the Creating Hope in Conflict Request for Innovation Idea Submission for Transition to Scale (TTS) innovations. Additional questions must be submitted to: hgc.tts@humanitariangrandchallenge.org.
This document will be updated periodically.
Please contact [email protected] for technical support with the idea submission form through Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal.
TOPIC AREAS
If my innovation is not targeting the key focus areas as mentioned in the idea submission information sheet, can I still submit my innovation idea?
No. Innovation ideas that do not address the following areas of focus will not be considered for funding. To read full descriptions of each area of focus, click here.
- Access to Energy
- Health supplies and services
- Life-saving information
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Who is the target population?
Idea submissions must clearly outline why the target population is vulnerable and hard-to-reach in a conflict-generated humanitarian emergency.
Factors that increase a person’s vulnerability include but are not limited to physical barriers that make it even harder for people to access assistance, or social barriers that marginalize certain groups (e.g., exclusionary attitudes linked to sex, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, age, people with disabilities, minorities, or people who are stateless).
The Humanitarian Grand Challenge is focused on better meeting the needs of people who are hardest-to-reach as a result of conflict-generated humanitarian emergencies. Our preference in terms of relevant populations are as follows:
- Non-displaced people (i.e. people in conflict zones)
- Internally displaced persons
- Refugees¹
We are interested in innovations suitable for camp, urban, and rural settings.
We encourage innovations that focus on the needs of women and girls, and people who are socially marginalized because of their gender, sex, sexuality, religion, age or income, as well as people with disabilities, minorities and people who are stateless.
Contexts that we consider to be hard-to-reach conflict zones include, but are not limited to:
- Central African Republic
- Ethiopia (Tigray region)
- Iraq
- Libya
- Mali
- Mozambique (Cabo Delgado and Nampula)
- Nigeria (northern regions)
- Somalia
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kivu region)
- Yemen
¹ This may also include, by extension, support for vulnerable host communities.
Is priority given to innovations that serve those living in conflict zones?
While we do consider funding innovations that serve refugees and internally displaced persons, priority will be given to innovations that serve those living in conflict zones.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Who is eligible to submit innovation ideas for transition to scale (TTS)?
Eligible innovators include social enterprises and other recognized institutions (e.g., non-profit organizations and for-profit companies) that
- are formed and legally incorporated
- can successfully execute the activities in their respective technical area
- can receive and administer grant funding.
Sole proprietorships are not eligible for funding.
I am from <Country name>. Am I eligible to submit my idea for consideration?
There are no geographical restrictions, therefore legally formed organizations that are not the subject of a US, UK, Dutch, European Union, World Bank, Canadian, or United Nations Security Council sanctions are eligible to apply for funding.
TTS innovation idea submissions from people outside of a relevant affected community must demonstrate how their solution will be informed by, co-designed with and implemented in partnership with conflict affected communities and/or local responders. Our order of preference in terms of innovators’ local connections to affected communities are as follows:
- Affected community owned – organization whose leadership and governance teams are comprised mostly of individuals who identify as being part of the conflict-affected community they are reaching and who are based in or around the conflict-affected region.
- Affected community led – at least one person in senior management position identifies as being from the conflict-affected community they are seeking to reach. This may also include individuals that are part of the diaspora.
- Affected community partnership – organization has an active and equitable partnership agreement with local community organization(s) based in a location affected by conflict.
I would like to work in <Country name>, would this be considered a conflict-zone?
Please note that Creating Hope in Conflict is focused on helping people who are hardest-to reach as a result of conflict-generated humanitarian emergencies. We do not impose any geographical restrictions. It is incumbent upon the innovator to explain why the population they seek to serve is relevant to the challenge.
I would like to implement my innovation in Afghanistan, am I eligible to submit my innovation idea?
At this time, we are unable to consider solutions being implemented in Afghanistan. In the future, this may change as we re-assess our position based on the new Canadian legal framework around humanitarian activities in Afghanistan.
We are a global organization that will seek partnership with a local organization to implement the innovation, are we eligible?
Preference will be given to solutions that are owned by local humanitarian actors who are from the conflict-affected communities they aim to serve. We require that non-local organizations have at minimum an established working relationship with a local organization to be eligible for this RFP.
Can multilateral organizations such as the United Nations (UN) submit their TTS innovation ideas?
In our past experience, we have found that multilateral organizations, such as the UN, are typically unable to agree to the terms and conditions of our funding agreements. We highly recommend that these organizations instead submit their innovation ideas through a local eligible partner organization. Staff from the UN office could act as collaborators on the project.
Do I need any specific academic qualifications to submit my innovation idea?
No. This request for submission is open to everyone regardless of age or academic qualifications. The Project Lead and team must have the skills to carry out the proposed activities of the innovation.
We have two partners – one health centre and one delivery centre –can we submit our innovation idea as a consortium?
One of the partners should submit the innovation idea as the lead innovator. This organization should be capable of entering into a contract with Grand Challenges Canada and be able to receive and administer funds, if it is invited to apply and later, its application is successful. The other partners would act as collaborators or sub-grantees on the project, with funds flowing to them via the lead organization.
Can a Project Lead submit two different innovation idea submission forms for the Humanitarian Grand Challenge?
Project Leads are permitted to submit only one (1) form for this request of TTS idea submission.
Further information on stipulations regarding multiple applications will be provided if an innovator is invited to submit a full application after review of their TTS innovation idea submission.
The Project Lead has applied for or holds an active Humanitarian Grand Challenge (HGC) seed (proof-of-concept/POC) grant, can they also submit an idea for the HGC TTS program?
Yes, a project lead who has applied for or holds an HGC seed grant may submit a TTS idea for a different innovation. TTS ideas must be unique from active seed grants or submissions, otherwise they will not be considered for TTS invitation.
FUNDING AND DURATION
My innovation has not achieved proof of concept, can I submit my innovation idea for consideration of Transition-to-Scale funding?
No, this request for idea submission is solely for transition to scale (TTS) stage funding i.e., innovations that have achieved proof of concept.
Proof of concept: evidence generated in a controlled or limited setting that the proposed solution is effective and/or more effective than traditional humanitarian approaches and that the innovation has the potential to progress towards scale
Innovators that have not yet achieved proof of concept may consider applying for seed level funding through open Requests for Proposals. We do not currently have any open calls for seed applications. To stay up to date about upcoming funding opportunities, please be sure to sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of this page: https://humanitariangrandchallenge.org/about/ and check https://www.grandchallenges.ca/funding-opportunities/ intermittently.
How many projects will be funded for TTS?
At this stage, there is not a specific limit to the number of projects that will be funded for TTS; however, innovators are encouraged to submit their ideas as soon as they can as resources are finite.
How much funding is available and over what period?
After submission of innovation ideas, if innovators are invited to submit a full application/proposal and their proposal is successful for TTS funding, they will be awarded grants ranging from $300,000CAD up to $1.5 million CAD over a twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months depending on the need for funds as decided by HGC and the outcomes desired to be achieved. This funding aims to support refinement, testing and implementation of innovative solutions that have already achieved proof of concept, to bring them toward scale over the project duration.
We have an innovation that has been tested already and would like to take it to scale. Can we submit our innovation idea for Transition-to-Scale now, or do we need to apply for Seed funding first, and after a 24-month trial, depending on the results, submit our innovation idea for the Transition to Scale funding?
There are two separate, simultaneous funding streams – one for Seed projects and one for Transition to Scale. Innovators do not need to have received Seed funding from us first in order to be able submit their innovation ideas for Transition to Scale funding. You should determine which stream is appropriate for your innovation.
Is my innovation best suited to Seed or to Transition to Scale funding?
We are not able to provide specific guidance on your innovation. However, at the Transition to Scale level, we would be looking for strong proof of concept that the solution works in conflict settings. If your solution has yet to be tested in a conflict setting, then a seed application may be more appropriate.
PROJECT SCOPE
If the program or model proposed is already being implemented, can it still be eligible for funding?
Our definition of innovation includes trying existing ideas in new contexts. Something that works in a stable context that has never been tried in a conflict setting could be considered for funding. Innovators will need to clearly define why they believe the idea would apply in another context.
Can innovation idea submissions for TTS cover multiple countries/regions, or must we focus on one country/region?
There is no restriction on the number of implementation countries/regions. We recommend carefully considering feasibility within the project timeframe/budget.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
What is the submission deadline?
We will review the forms on a rolling basis and will reach out only to select innovations to engage in the full application process. There is no deadline; however, we encourage innovators to share their TTS innovation ideas as soon as they can as resources are finite.
How do I submit my TTS innovation idea?
Applicants must use the online form provided, which is only accessible via the Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal (https://gcc.fluxx.io).
Grand Challenges Canada cannot provide the application questions via email and any submission through email will not be considered.
If the Project Lead already has an existing account on Fluxx, they should utilize this account. Otherwise, applicants should create an account using the following link: Create an account. Once you have created an account, please allow for up to three (3) business days for Grand Challenges Canada to process your information. Once your information has been processed, you will be emailed login credentials to access Fluxx (https://gcc.fluxx.io) where the application template is available. You will need to input and submit answers to the application questions through this template. Please note that you can save and come back to an application (to edit, complete) until such time as you submit the application.
Are there specific questions or templates we need to use to submit my TTS innovation idea?
To submit TTS innovation idea, applicants must use the online form provided, which is only accessible via the Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal (https://gcc.fluxx.io).
To access Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal (gcc.fluxx.io), you must first create an account to identify yourself and the organization that will be submitting your innovation idea for. To create an account, please visit: https://gcc.fluxx.io.
It will take between one (1) to three (3) business days to process your request. Once your account has been approved, you will receive an email with your username and password. You can then visit https://gcc.fluxx.io to fill out the TTS innovation idea submission form.
Note: If you have applied for funding in the past, you already have an account. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it and gain immediate access to the Portal. Simply click on Reset or create password.
Please answer all the mandatory questions, as incomplete submissions will not be considered. For technical support, please contact [email protected].
In what language should the submission be completed?
Submissions may be made in English or French. Submissions in any other language will be rejected without review.
Can I arrange a meeting with Grand Challenges Canada to discuss the call/my submission in more detail?
Unfortunately, given the number of submissions we receive and in the interest of being fair to all innovators, we cannot discuss individual submissions in detail. Please review the TTS idea submission information sheet available at this link for information on the eligibility criteria and areas of interest. If you think your innovation fits with the TTS call, you are most welcome to submit your innovation idea.
Can I submit my innovation idea for TTS by email, mail or in person?
Innovation ideas for TTS cannot be submitted by email, mail or in person. All innovation ideas for TTS must be submitted through Grand Challenges Canada’s Fluxx Portal. In order to gain access to the Portal, innovators must log into their existing Fluxx account or register for an account at https://gcc.fluxx.io
What are the next steps after I submit my TTS innovation idea?
We will review the submissions on a rolling basis and will reach out ONLY to select innovations to engage in the full application process. Selected innovators will be provided with the required information and guidance to submit a full proposal. Being selected to submit a full proposal does not guarantee funding. Full proposals will undergo the necessary review and due diligence process before approval for funding.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Please contact [email protected] for technical support with the submission through Grand Challenges Canada’s Community Portal.
Please contact [email protected]for any questions that are not addressed in this FAQ.
About Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge
Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge is a partnership of the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the U.K Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Global Affairs Canada, with support from Grand Challenges Canada. Launched in 2018, CHIC seeks to enable local organizations, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector to work alongside affected communities to respond more nimbly to complex emergencies, address the unprecedented magnitude of suffering around the world, and empower people to create better lives for themselves. This challenge seeks to fund and accelerate innovative solutions that enable life-improving assistance to reach the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach people in conflict-generated humanitarian crises.
For information on Creating Hope in Conflict, please visit humanitariangrandchallenge.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
For information on all Grand Challenges Canada programs, please find us at grandchallenges.ca , and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
This document was last updated on October 12, 2023.