McKnight Foundation - International Programmes

Overview

The program funds participatory, collaborative research on agroecology. Grants either support regionally based research projects that are grouped into three regional communities of practice (CoPs) in Africa and South America, or are cross-cutting in nature. Regional projects typically link international, national, and/or local organizations with communities of smallholder farmers, researchers, development professionals, and other stakeholders. Cross-cutting projects support aspects of work across regions. Their projects generate technical and social innovations to improve productivity, livelihoods, nutrition, and equity for farming communities. Large-scale impact is realized when new ideas, technologies, or processes are adapted to different contexts, when insights from research catalyze change in policy and practice, and when innovation inspires further success.

International

Program Goal: Improve access to local, sustainable, nutritious food using collaborative research and knowledge-sharing with smallholder farmers, research institutions, and development organizations.

The Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) works to ensure a world where all have access to nutritious food that is sustainably produced by local people. They do this through collaborative agroecological systems research and knowledge-sharing that strengthen the capacities of smallholder farmers, research institutes, and development organizations. They take a holistic, ecosystem approach to agriculture, supporting research and partnerships that lead to increased crop productivity, improved livelihoods, better nutrition, and increased equity.

They focus their support in three communities of practice in 10 countries located in the high Andes and Africa.

Learn more about CCRP’s work.

Please note: CCRP has a closed application process with occasional targeted calls for concept notes. Requests for funding are accepted only from organizations that have been invited to apply or in response to a targeted call.

The McKnight Foundation’s Strategic Framework informs the work of all their program areas, including the International Program. It guides how they do their grantmaking, their perspective and role, and their relationships. The Strategic Framework, which is adapted regularly, describes the Foundation’s mission, values, commitments, and ways of working.

Criteria

For CCRP, grants are selected based on criteria that include alignment with program and regional priorities and strategies, quality, innovation, and awareness of local context. In reviewing proposals, they consider the following:

• Are the project approach and focus aligned with the CCRP theory of change?
• Does the project contribute to advancements in agroecological intensification or AEI?
• Is the focus on improving key aspect(s) of smallholder agriculture within regional food systems and in ways that improve the food security, income, nutrition, and equity outcomes of smallholder farmer households?
• Does the project demonstrate a systems perspective, including consideration of factors such as crop improvement and seed access; pest/disease management; soil and water management; strengthening of farmer organizations; enhancing market access; Intended systems changes may include sustainable production, consumption and/or rural social infrastructure and markets. Entry points may include crop improvement and seed access; pest/disease management; soil health; strengthening of farmer organizations; enhancing market access; and/or nutrition research and education?
• Is the project designed appropriately for addressing the problems identified in food and agriculture systems?
• Does the project design show a likelihood of positive impact for smallholder farming families?
• Is there authentic collaboration and partnership that involve research, development, community- based organizations, farmers, and the private sector as appropriate and necessary, and also innovative approaches as relevant?
• Does the project demonstrate cultural and gender sensitivity?
• What is the project’s ability to contribute improved “public goods” knowledge and practice beyond its specific sites, contexts, and objectives?

For details of grantees, visit their website here

For FAQ's visit their website here