A smiling farmer in a red shawl holds freshly picked greens, framed by the FIF arrow

Adaptation from the South. For the World.

Innovation Challenge Fellowship

Hosted by BRACSince 2013
Frugal Innovation Forum9th edition · 2027/2028
FocusClimate Information Services (CIS)

The three components

Each component has its own purpose and personality — while clearly belonging to the same FIF ecosystem.

University students test a prototype together at FIF

Frugal Innovation Challenge

A youth-facing pathway that identifies and develops emerging innovators.

For University students & emerging youth innovators

A Frugal Innovation Fellow in a green field

FIF Fellowship

Brings visibility to innovators from the Global South and their work.

For Innovators from across the Global South

A panel discussion on the FIF 2025 stage

FIF Conference

The larger knowledge, practice and exchange platform.

For Practitioners, development actors & the wider ecosystem

Communities living closest to complex social and climate challenges often develop practical and adaptable ways of responding. FIF exists to:

Discover ideas
Strengthen them
Connect people
Amplify learning and impact

What is FIF?

A Global South platform that brings together innovators, practitioners, development actors and other stakeholders to exchange practical, evidence-based approaches and solutions.

The 9th edition of Frugal Innovation Forum (FIF) focuses on Climate Adaptation through the lens of Climate Information Services (CIS), building on the focus of FIF 2025: climate adaptation in agriculture, food security and livelihoods. The wider FIF ecosystem will also showcase emerging youth innovators through the Innovation Challenge and Frugal Innovation Fellows.

Learn More

Participants at a Frugal Innovation Forum session — **9th edition**2027/2028

2013BRAC has hosted FIF every year since

9thEdition of the Frugal Innovation Forum, in 2027/2028

3Components: the Innovation Challenge, the Fellowship and the Conference

2027/2028 focus: Climate Information Services (CIS)

FIF 2028 will centre on Climate Information Services (CIS) for climate adaptation across sectors such as agriculture & livelihoods, insurance, health, and water security, positioning it as a driver of informed decision-making.

FIF 2025 · 8th edition

Climate Adaptation in Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihoods

Conference

FIF 2027/2028 · 9th edition

Climate Adaptation through the lens of Climate Information Services (CIS)

Innovation Challenge

01

Climate adaption for Agriculture & Livelihoods
e.g., unpredictable harvest-time rain, heat-stressed crops and livestock, general forecasts that do not support local decisions, crop or livestock losses.
02

Urban Life & Work
e.g., waterlogged streets, unsafe heat for outdoor workers, lack of localised weather alerts, disrupted transport, lost daily wages.
03

Climate adaptive financial protection
e.g., crop or livestock losses, lost income from extreme weather, distress selling of assets, emergency expenses, lack of timely financial support.
04

Water Resource Management
e.g., seasonal water shortages, salinity in water sources, flood-contaminated water, drying ponds, poorly managed shared water sources.
05

Health & Resilience
e.g., heat-related illness, waterborne and vector-borne diseases, unsafe water, disrupted access to healthcare, interrupted treatment.

What is Climate Information Services (CIS)? Problem Areas

The road ahead

From the launch on 25 October 2026 to the final pitch in February 2027.

0125 October 2026
Launch
The Innovation Challenge opens.
02November 2026
Apply
Teams submit an initial concept. Deadline 25 November 2026.
03Shortlisted teams
Develop
Detailed proposal, mentorship and a field visit.
046 February 2027 (Tentative)
Pitch
Residential bootcamp and final pitch.

Developing practical solutions to real-world challenges

A youth-facing pathway that identifies and develops emerging innovators.

For University students & emerging youth innovators

Innovation Challenge Who can apply?

Young participants work together around a table at FIF

3rd year to Master’s
Bangladeshi university students
Teams of 3–5
Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged
Free to apply
Participation is completely free

Building and testing field-ready solutions

Brings visibility to innovators from the Global South and their work.

1Scopes to connect the 40 applicants with BRAC were initiated to mainstream innovations from the Global South.
2An onboarding framework was established through a due diligence process.
3Collaboration between BRAC International and BRAC Bangladesh was initiated to design solutions for the communities where the fellows are working.

For Innovators from across the Global South

Fellowship

The larger knowledge, practice and exchange platform

Practitioners, development actors and the wider ecosystem come together each year. The latest edition, FIF 2025, was the 8th.

FIF 2025 Agenda

Participants working together at FIF 2025 — **8th**edition · FIF 2025

A panel discussion at FIF 2025 — **8th**edition · FIF 2025

2-dayResidential conference at BRAC CDM, Savar

25–26 July2025, with field visits on 23rd and 24th July

Speakers and moderators For practitioners, development actors & the wider ecosystem All speakers

FIF through the years

BRAC has been hosting the Frugal Innovation Forum every year, bringing together development practitioners, researchers, entrepreneurs, funding agencies and key stakeholders of the Global South.