The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Challenge is inviting startups and innovators from around the world to apply with solutions that address hunger, humanitarian assistance, and supply chain resilience. This open call, known as Relief & Resilience, is part of WFP’s broader Innovation Accelerator efforts to support high-impact innovations that can strengthen relief efforts, improve food security, and build resilient systems.
👉 Apply here: https://innovation.wfp.org/relief-and-resilience
Focus & Value
The Relief & Resilience challenge focuses on innovations that help improve humanitarian operations and make food systems more robust against shocks like conflict, climate stress, and economic instability. Teams with solutions across three priority tracks are encouraged to apply:
- Preparedness & Prevention: Improve risk assessment, early planning, and crisis readiness.
- Effective Relief Assistance: Develop tools for efficient coordination, dignity-focused aid delivery, and targeted support.
- Supply Chain Resilience: Strengthen the ability of supply chains to withstand and recover from disruptions.
The challenge accepts applications on a rolling basis, meaning ideas can be considered throughout the year and may be reviewed for current or future accelerator cycles.
Benefits for Selected Innovators
💰 Equity-Free Funding
Teams may receive up to USD $100,000 in non-dilutive funding during the sprint or acceleration phases, with additional support linked to progress and targets.
🌍 Access to WFP’s Global Network
Selected innovations gain opportunities to collaborate with WFP field operations across 120+ countries, helping pilots scale in real-world humanitarian contexts.
🧠 Mentorship & Bootcamp Support
Participants typically join a WFP Innovation Bootcamp — a multi-day intensive workshop that refines solutions with expert facilitation and coaching.
🎤 Pitch & Exposure
Finalists may be invited to exclusive pitch events, where they present to partners, potential investors, and impact ecosystem stakeholders.
🤝 Networking & Partnerships
Joining the programme opens doors to partnerships with governments, NGOs, corporate partners, and humanitarian networks working toward SDG 2: Zero Hunger and disaster resilience outcomes.
Who Should Apply (Eligibility)
Startups & Companies
✔ Must be incorporated (for-profit or not-for-profit)
✔ Innovation must be at Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage or beyond
✔ Should show proof of concept or early traction
✔ Must demonstrate financial and operational viability
✔ Proposal should explain how working with WFP aligns with long-term goals and impact vision
WFP Employees
✔ WFP innovators with support from a Country Office and management buy-in are welcome to apply, including those collaborating with NGOs or government partners.
Applications are open to all countries and sectors that address the defined challenge themes.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official challenge page:
👉 https://innovation.wfp.org/relief-and-resilience - Review the innovation priorities and eligibility criteria.
- Prepare your application:
- Describe your innovation or solution
- Highlight what stage it’s at (MVP, prototype, pilot, etc.)
- Illustrate how it addresses one of the focus areas (preparedness, relief, or supply chain resilience)
- Submit your application online.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time and be considered for upcoming bootcamps and acceleration cycles. - Monitor communication: Only successful applicants are contacted with next steps.
