The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) invites NGOs in low- and middle-income countries to apply for the Food Policy Rapid Response Fund (RRF). Grants up to $200,000 available — deadline 10 Nov 2025.
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) has launched its latest Food Policy Rapid Response Fund (RRF), inviting civil society organizations across low- and middle-income countries to apply for funding to drive transformative food policy advocacy. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for local organizations to shape nutrition and health outcomes by influencing national policy environments.
Applications close on 10 November 2025, and successful applicants may receive grants of up to $200,000 USD for a maximum duration of 12 months.
Driving Change in Global Food Policy
The GHAI Rapid Response Fund is designed to empower advocacy organizations to respond swiftly to emerging food policy challenges or opportunities. By providing flexible, time-sensitive grants, GHAI aims to strengthen public health movements and protect progress toward healthier food systems.
The fund supports evidence-informed advocacy campaigns targeting:
- Reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages
- Increasing access to nutritious, affordable, and healthy foods
- Protecting existing health-driven food policies under threat
- Blocking harmful legislation or corporate interference in food systems
Each selected project must demonstrate a clear plan to achieve measurable impact within a 12-month period, leveraging advocacy, communications, and policy engagement strategies.
Funding Scope and Priorities
The Rapid Response Fund is tailored to address urgent, high-impact policy moments — such as pending legislation, public consultations, or regulatory reforms. Grants can be used to:
- Mobilize public support for pro-nutrition policies
- Build coalitions or strengthen advocacy networks
- Conduct policy analysis and evidence dissemination
- Counteract disinformation campaigns that undermine food regulations
- Influence government and media narratives around healthy food environments
With grants reaching up to $200,000 USD, organizations have the capacity to launch robust advocacy campaigns that make an immediate difference in their national or regional contexts.
About the Global Health Advocacy Incubator
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), an initiative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. It partners with organizations around the world to drive policy change that improves public health.
Through its Food Policy Program, GHAI works to prevent diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by promoting fiscal, regulatory, and marketing policies that encourage healthy food choices. The Rapid Response Fund complements this mission by offering agile financial support to respond to time-sensitive opportunities and threats.
This funding mechanism enables civil society to play a critical watchdog and advocacy role, ensuring that policy decisions are informed by science — not corporate interests.
Why This Fund Matters
As countries grapple with the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, unhealthy diets driven by ultra-processed food consumption remain a central concern.
The Rapid Response Fund represents a strategic investment in local advocacy power, allowing African and other LMIC-based organizations to:
- Influence government decisions at pivotal moments
- Protect public health gains against industry pushback
- Champion food environments that support healthy living
- Foster community awareness and stakeholder collaboration
By strengthening advocacy at the national and regional levels, GHAI and its partners are amplifying the voice of civil society in shaping policies that protect people’s health for generations to come.
Who Can Apply
The GHAI Food Policy Rapid Response Fund is open to:
- Non-governmental and civil society organizations working in low- and middle-income countries
- Groups with demonstrated experience in food policy, health advocacy, or nutrition
- Coalitions or networks that can show collaborative, evidence-based approaches
- Organizations capable of delivering concrete advocacy results within 12 months
Proposals should clearly outline the policy opportunity or threat, describe the advocacy strategy, and demonstrate capacity to implement rapid actions effectively.
Application Timeline
- Call Opens: October 30, 2025
- Deadline: November 10, 2025 (midnight, applicant’s local time)
- Grant Amount: Up to $200,000 USD
- Project Duration: Up to 12 months
Applicants are encouraged to submit early, ensuring all required documentation and narrative components are complete. Late submissions will not be considered.
How to Apply
Interested organizations can apply directly through GHAI’s official website and funding portal. The process requires applicants to outline their proposed advocacy campaign, expected outcomes, and monitoring plans.
Call to Action:
Apply Now for the GHAI Rapid Response Fund
Strategic Collaboration and Global Impact
This initiative is a key component of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Food Policy Program, which works in partnership with GHAI and other global health advocates to:
- Develop healthy food policy frameworks
- Reduce diet-related health inequities
- Strengthen civil society capacity to influence policymaking
Through the Rapid Response Fund, GHAI reaffirms its commitment to empowering local advocates to respond swiftly to policy opportunities — ensuring progress toward healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food systems.
A Call to African NGOs and Civil Society Leaders
African organizations, in particular, are strongly encouraged to apply. The continent faces rapidly evolving food system challenges, from aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods to limited access to affordable, nutritious options.
By supporting local advocacy and coalition-building, GHAI seeks to catalyze durable policy change that protects public health and fosters food sovereignty.
Join the Movement
Organizations ready to act at the intersection of health, nutrition, and policy change are invited to step forward. The Rapid Response Fund offers both financial support and strategic guidance to help advocates drive meaningful progress within a year.
