Applicants complete an online application to ‘pitch’ their proposal, which details the planned project and its potential impact. Call for applications are typically open for 8 weeks, twice every year. The GSMA aims to assess and confirm the shortlisted applicants 4-5 weeks after the deadline. On average, we receive between 300 and 600 applications per round.

The short-listed pitches are invited to develop a proposal setting out the full business case for the project. Applicants will receive guidance from the GSMA in developing their proposal. In addition, the GSMA will conduct an on-site project due diligence as well as a company due diligence, including an assessment of operational, fiduciary and reputational risks.

An independent panel of experts evaluates the proposals and awards grants to the winning applicants. These are then contracted, including definition of milestone payments and refinement of the budget. 

The grantees are provided with direct funding, through milestone-based payments. In addition, the GSMA Innovation Fund offers bespoke technical assistance, partnership facilitation with mobile network operators and other digital players, networking opportunities and capacity building through regional bootcamps and profiling at world class GSMA events such as Mobile World Congress.

Finally, the GSMA Innovation Fund will support grantees to monitor and evaluate their socio-economic (or climate) project impact. Where possible, the GSMA may hire a consultant to conduct surveys of a grantee’s end-users and/or environmental impact for a deeper evaluation at the end of the funded project.​

The GSMA Innovation Fund continues to promote alumni achievements and provides targeted post-grant support (e.g., connections with investors and MNOs where relevant). The fund also tracks the growth of the alumni for two years following the grant period.