Frugal Innovation Challenge
A youth-facing pathway that identifies and develops emerging innovators.
For University students & emerging youth innovators
- 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.
FIF Fellowship
Brings visibility to innovators from the Global South and their work.
For Innovators from across the Global South
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.
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)
The 2027/2028 focus is climate adaptation through the lens of climate information. It carries the climate adaptation work of FIF 2025 forward, and looks at five fields.
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.
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
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
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.
2-dayResidential conference at BRAC CDM, Savar
25–26 July2025, with field visits on 23rd and 24th July
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.
2025Frugal Innovation Forum 2025
25-26 July
2022Frugal Innovation Forum 2022
11-13 October
2022Runway to Frugal Innovation 2022
17-19 May
2019Frugal Innovation Forum 2019
2-4 March
2017Frugal Innovation Forum 2017
9-11 November
2016Frugal Innovation Forum 2016
22-24 March
2015Frugal Innovation Forum 2015
23-24 March
- Next
2027/2028
9th edition · Climate Information Services (CIS)
Adaptation on the ground
In the south, where salty water has taken over the land, people are learning to adapt. Read and watch their stories.
