The Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund was launched in November 2018 and aims to accelerate innovation in off-grid and weak grid appliance technologies.

Efficiency for Access, is investing funding into research and development (R&D) projects with the aim to accelerate the availability, affordability, efficiency and performance of a range of low energy inclusive appliances that are particularly suited to developing country contexts and promote social inclusion.

Enabling Technologies Call

The Enabling Technologies call was open to projects developing enabling technologies or products for off-grid and weak grid areas, with a particular focus on inclusivity or interoperability.

The Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund has awarded 20 organisations a total of £2.9 million in funding for innovative, solar-powered appliance technology projects that will help to level the playing field whilst addressing the climate emergency.

Access the Enabling Technologies web page here.

First Call Results

The first call was an open call launched in November 2018. Applicants were asked to submit projects developing innovative off- and weak-grid appliance technologies or products with a strong potential to benefit end-users and promote social inclusion.

In early 2019, Efficiency for Access supported eight projects totalling over £1m in funding. Six projects developing cooking appliances were awarded funding totalling approximately £750,000 from the MECS programme.

Find the winning organisations on our Open Call web page and read our project spotlights report which gives an insight to each organisation and the projects that are being funded.

Cooling Call Results

The second call saw 13 organisations selected to receive funding to the value of £1.67 million from UK aid and the IKEA Foundation.

Efficiency for Access invited funding applications for R&D projects developing innovative appliance technologies or products focused on cooling for off- and weak-grid settings with a particular focus on fans, refrigeration and cold chain. Find the winning projects on our Cooling Call web page.