OPEN / ROLLING — no fixed deadline published. Does your established organization improve access to effective micronutrient fortification, biofortification or supplementation in lower-income settings? The Waterloo Foundation’s World Development Nutrition Main Grants normally offer up to £100,000 in total over two to three years. The donor states that its World Development main-grant applications are accepted all year round.
Who can seek a Nutrition Main Grant?
- Funding: normally up to £100,000 across two or three years.
- Applicants: established UK or overseas organizations meeting the Main Grant eligibility criteria, generally with annual income of at least £300,000.
- Geography: development work addressing micronutrient deficiencies in low- and middle-income contexts; the donor prioritizes UK-based charities but can consider overseas organizations.
- Non-UK requirement: a qualifying, unaffiliated UK-linked referee able to assess the organization’s work.
- Deadline: rolling/no specific submission date listed in the current Nutrition Main Grant FAQ.
- Route: email an initial concept note to applications@waterloofoundation.org.uk.
What does the Foundation want to achieve?
The Nutrition programme targets scalable, proven micronutrient interventions that have not yet achieved the reach or use required to deliver their full impact. Relevant interventions include fortification, biofortification and supplements for at-risk communities. An applicant must explain barriers to effective reach and demonstrate that the delivery approach can realistically improve sustained coverage.
The donor’s published priorities include strategies for scaling proven approaches, improving access and uptake. The strongest concept will show how the proposed model can be tested, measured and extended in the real delivery setting. A generic nutrition-awareness campaign without a clear link to the donor’s targeted interventions may not align.
What should the two-page concept note cover?
Follow the official Nutrition Main Grant application guidelines. The first-stage concept is limited to two sides of A4, with required identity, income, registration, contact, project-title and referee information at the top. The main text should describe the organization’s comparative advantage, target population, evidence of the micronutrient challenge, relevant partners, proposed approach, credible budget scale and sustainability.
Risks that applicants should resolve early
- Clarify whether the intervention is a proven fortification or supplementation approach, rather than an untested general nutrition idea.
- For an overseas applicant, secure a qualified referee before submitting; the donor says only applications with appropriate references can be considered.
- Do not assume that a previous rejection can be followed by an immediate new submission; the programme requires a 24-month wait after an unsuccessful Main Grant application.
- Build a feasible evaluation plan for sustained coverage, not merely the number of materials distributed.
The Africads Grant Funding Toolkit can help review evidence, costs and institutional readiness; however, the donor’s own criteria remain decisive.
Five FAQs
Is this call still accepting applications?
The current official Nutrition Main Grant FAQ states applications are accepted all year round without a fixed deadline.
Can an NGO outside the UK apply?
Potentially, with the required qualifying independent reference and a strong fit to the programme priorities.
How much is available?
The usual maximum is £100,000 in total spread over two to three years.
Is a detailed full proposal needed immediately?
No. The initial application is a concise two-page concept note; the donor may request a fuller proposal later.
Can smaller charities seek this Main Grant?
The Main Grant criteria generally expect annual organizational income of at least £300,000. Check the donor’s separate Small Grant rules for smaller UK applicants.
Conclusion
Organizations with credible micronutrient intervention experience and the required eligibility evidence can use the rolling window to prepare a clear, focused concept. Read the official Nutrition programme priorities and application guidelines before sending. Subscribe to Africads Grant News for additional verified calls. Verified 10 October 2026.
