ACE Innovate: Call for Proposals - Expression of Interest (EoI)

ACE Innovate is a regional platform designed to strengthen the connection between advanced skills, applied research, innovation, and workforce training in priority economic sectors. Building on the experience of the Africa Centers of Excellence programme, ACE Innovate supports sector-focused institutional capacity that responds to employer demand, national development priorities, and regional skills needs. This Call for Proposals invites eligible institutions in Batch A countries, The Gambia and Guinea, to submit an Expression of Interest for consideration under Phase 1 of ACE Innovate. Cote d’Ivoire is included in Phase 1 Batch B and will follow the timing communicated separately through the programme process. The preferred model is a joint application between one Africa Center of Excellence or eligible Emerging Center and one Regional Flagship Training Institute (RFTI). The partnership should be anchored in a priority sector and should demonstrate how the institutions will work together across the skills ladder, from postgraduate training and applied research to technician and mid-level skills aligned with employer and value-chain needs. In exceptional cases, a standalone ACE or Emerging Center, or a independent RFTI, may submit an EoI only where prior written clearance has been obtained through the agreed programme process. Applicants should use the application form that matches their approved application scenario. For the full programme rationale, applicants should consult ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions, Section 1: About ACE Innovate. Scope of the call Two-stage selection process ACE Innovate uses a two-stage competitive process. Stage 1 is the Expression of Interest (EoI) stage. The EoI is a structured concept submission focused on the essentials: sector alignment, institutional track record and readiness, programme design, partnership rationale, and expected results. Stage 2 is the Full Proposal stage. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a Full Proposal with more detailed programme, financial, procurement, sustainability, and monitoring information. Where to read more See Section 2 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions for the full explanation of the two-stage process. Application scenarios Applicants must select the application scenario that applies to them. Scenario 1 - Joint ACE/Emerging Center + RFTI application. Use the Joint Executive Summary ACE & RFTI application form. This is the standard and preferred submission route. Scenario 2 - Standalone ACE/Emerging Center application. Use the Independent ACE/Emerging Center application form. This scenario applies only where the applicant has received prior clearance to submit without an RFTI partner. Scenario 3 - Standalone RFTI application. Use the Independent RFTI application form. This scenario applies only where the applicant has received prior clearance to submit without an ACE/Emerging Center partner. Eligible countries and sectors For Phase 1 (Batch A), eligible proposals must come from institutions based in The Gambia or Guinea. Proposals must align with the country-level priority sector communicated through the relevant national government. Applicants should not submit proposals outside the approved country priority sector. Solution platforms and priority-sector alignment Applicants should situate their proposal within the relevant priority sector and where applicable, the solution platforms listed in the call guidance. The solution platforms help applicants identify the sector niches, value-chain needs, research areas, training needs and innovation pathways that the EoI may address. Where to read more See Section 4 of the  ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions  for country, sector, ACE/Emerging Center, and RFTI eligibility. See Annex 4 for the detailed Solution Platforms by sector. Financing parameters Each selected ACE-RFTI partnership will budget two separate grants, one for each institution. The indicative financing envelope can be accessed separately through country-specific guidance. Civil works and construction, including renovation, rehabilitation and new construction, are capped at 25 percent of the total grant per institution. Applicants should prioritize investments in programs, people, research, innovation, and industry engagement. Civil works should be justified as necessary for program delivery and proportionate to the overall proposal. For details, applicants should consult ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions , Section 5: Financing Parameters. Evaluation Focus The technical review will assess the quality, relevance, ambition, and feasibility of the EoI. Applicants should ensure that the application clearly addresses the following areas: Sector alignment and demand-side credibility, including evidence of employer and value-chain demand. Institutional excellence, track record, and readiness, with expectations calibrated to ACE, Emerging Center, or RFTI status. Scale and ambition, including credible targets that reflect the available financing and institutional capacity. Research, innovation, and practical application, including technology transfer or applied innovation where relevant. Jobs agenda and graduate outcomes, including pathways to employment, work-based learning, and graduate tracking. Partnership quality for joint submissions, especially complementarity across the skills ladder and research-to-application pipeline. Feasibility and risk awareness, including realistic implementation assumptions and proportionate mitigation measures. See Section 6 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions for the full description of what reviewers will look for. See Annex 1 for reference outputs achieved under ACE Impact and Annex 2 for illustrative research-to-innovation pathways. Queries and clarifications Applicants should direct questions on eligibility, submission requirements, Sector Engagement Panel requirements, or use of the application forms to the official contact indicated on the portal. Queries should be submitted by 19 June 2026 to allow enough time for responses before the submission deadline. General Guidance For the purpose of ACE Innovate Read Section 1 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For the two-stage process Read Section 2 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For the joint application requirement and exceptional standalone cases Read Section 3 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For country, sector, ACE/Emerging Center, and RFTI eligibility Read Section 4 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For the Sector Engagement Panel requirement Read Section 4 and Annex 3 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For financing parameters and the civil works ceiling Read Section 5 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For review criteria and what the reviewers will look for Read Section 6 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For submission format, file naming, deadline, and query deadline Read Section 7 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For reference outputs from ACE Impact Read Annex 1 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For examples of research-to-innovation pathways Read Annex 2 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For Sector Engagement Panel composition, engagement, and validation statement requirements Read Annex 3 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions. For Solution Platforms in Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Tourism Read Annex 4 of the ACE Innovate CfP Guidance Instructions.