CFI Digital Public Infrastructure Research Grant Program 2025 ( Up to $40,000 USD) - NAIJA STICK

CFI Digital Public Infrastructure Research Grant Program 2025 ( Up to $40,000 USD)

The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) has launched the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Research Grant Program.

Through this initiative, they will

Support new research: To researchers and institutions exploring how DPI is being implemented, governed, and adapted in different contexts.

Connect perspectives: Bring together a learning network of academics, policymakers, technologists, civil society, and private actors to examine the long-term viability and societal impact of DPI.

• Extract insights: Synthesize research into timely, actionable guidance for decision-makers shaping the next generation of infrastructure.

Organize consultative gatherings: Through convenings and consultative gatherings, that they curate and contribute to through industry participation and engagement.

They are especially interested in research that

Examines consumer/end user outcomes through use of services delivered on DPI rails, focusing on themes like accountability, consumer protection, public private partnerships, innovation, fair competition, value creation, and trust.

• Explores how DPI systems can move beyond pilots and donor dependency to become financially sustainable, while maintaining openness, transparency, and public value.
• Explores avenues for fair competition, levels the playing field for all stakeholders, creates avenues for public-private partnerships and evaluates value creation through private sector engagement.
• Analyzes emerging governance models — particularly in systems with deep private sector involvement — and how they affect accountability, sustainability, innovation interoperability, and public trust.
• Surfaces innovations in building strong consumer protection measures, maintaining user-centricity, including feedback loops, grievance mechanisms, and tools to measure and improve outcomes.

Investigates how DPI influences the delivery of financial and non-financial services, and the resulting implications for consumer protection, competition, inclusion, and market dynamics.

Uncovers learnings through comparative analyses of countries that have implemented DPI and are at advanced stages- such as India and Brazil.

Understands the impact DPI systems drive beyond access to financial services.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to independent researchers, research organizations, and those affiliated with universities, think tanks, or research institutions (they are open to exploring joint proposals)

• Partnerships between institutions and individuals are encouraged

Projects must focus on one or more countries, with a strong preference for proposals that include:

• Country-level research in low- and middle-income countries (researchers based in low- and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply)
• Original fieldwork, institutional analysis, or comparative case studies
• Locally grounded perspectives and policy relevance

Note: Regional or multi-country studies will be considered where they bring clear value and comparative insight.

Benefits

They offer:

• Opportunities to share findings with practitioners and policymakers
• A platform for collaborative inquiry
• Funding Information
• Grant amounts: up to $40,000 USD, depending on scope and approach.

Duration

• Research must be completed within six months of award.

How to Apply 

Interested applicant can apply via this link:

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