CFPs: Leveraging IFAD’s Rural Sector Performance Assessment for Policy and Investment

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a global Call for Proposals to select an organization or consortium to implement the “Leveraging IFAD’s Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) for Policy and Investment” initiative. The selected organization can receive up to US$1.2 million to improve the RSPA methodology, produce country assessments for approximately 80 countries, and strengthen rural development policy and investment worldwide.

IFAD Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) Initiative

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is seeking an experienced organization or consortium to implement a major research and policy initiative aimed at improving its Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) framework.

The project will modernize the RSPA methodology, strengthen evidence-based policy analysis, improve rural investment decision-making, and generate high-quality knowledge products that support sustainable rural transformation across developing countries.

Program Overview

Program Name: Leveraging IFAD’s Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) for Policy and Investment

Funding Organization: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Program Type: Global Call for Proposals

Maximum Grant: Up to US$1.2 million

Geographic Scope: International

Implementation Model: Organization or Consortium

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Strengthen rural sector policy assessment.
• Improve the policy environment for rural development.
• Enhance evidence-based investment decisions.
• Simplify and modernize the Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) methodology.
• Improve qualitative and quantitative assessment indicators.
• Expand the use of reliable public data sources.
• Produce consistent country-level rural sector assessments.
• Generate knowledge products that support IFAD and its partners.
• Promote sustainable rural transformation.

What is the Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA)?

The Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) is IFAD’s analytical framework used to assess how effectively countries support rural development through policies, institutions, governance, and investment environments.

The assessment helps identify strengths and gaps in rural policy systems and provides evidence that informs IFAD’s investment strategies, country engagement, and policy dialogue.

Focus Areas

The project supports activities related to:

• Rural development policy.
• Agricultural policy analysis.
• Rural investment.
• Policy reform.
• Performance assessment.
• Statistical analysis.
• Public data systems.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Knowledge management.
• Rural transformation.
• Evidence-based policymaking.
• Institutional strengthening.

Key Activities

The selected organization will be responsible for:

Reviewing the RSPA Methodology

Activities include:

• Reviewing the current assessment framework.
• Simplifying the methodology while maintaining effectiveness.
• Improving qualitative and quantitative indicators.
• Identifying reliable public data sources.
• Recommending alternative indicators where appropriate.

Pilot Testing

The project will include:

• Testing revised indicators in selected pilot countries.
• Consulting with IFAD experts.
• Incorporating external technical feedback.
• Refining the methodology based on testing results.

Producing Country Assessments

The selected organization will prepare the IFAD15 Rural Sector Performance Assessment for approximately 80 countries by:

• Collecting qualitative and quantitative information.
• Conducting statistical analysis.
• Ensuring consistency across country assessments.
• Preparing analytical country reports.
• Documenting all data sources used.

Knowledge Products

The project also includes:

• Developing updated methodological guidance.
• Producing learning materials.
• Sharing lessons learned.
• Supporting policy engagement.
• Strengthening RSPA as a global knowledge product.

Funding Details

Successful applicants may receive:

• Maximum Grant: Up to US$1.2 million

Applicants must also provide counterpart contributions.

Counterpart Contribution Requirements

Applicants must contribute:

• At least 20% of the IFAD grant amount for eligible organizations.
• At least 25% for private sector institutions.

Eligible counterpart contributions may include:

• Financial contributions.
• Approved in-kind contributions.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-profit organizations.
• Private sector companies.
• Universities.
• Think tanks.
• Research institutes.
• Eligible consortia.

Organizations should demonstrate substantial experience in rural development, policy analysis, research, and international programme implementation.

Proposal Requirements

Applications should include:

• Project proposal.
• Indicative project budget.
• Eligibility self-certification.
• Institutional profile.
• Evidence of relevant technical expertise and experience.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:

• Technical capacity.
• Institutional experience.
• Quality of the proposed methodology.
• Experience in policy analysis and rural development.
• Ability to manage large international research assignments.
• Financial and operational capacity.
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed implementation approach.

Why This Initiative Matters

Strong rural policies are essential for reducing poverty, improving food security, and supporting sustainable agricultural development.

By modernizing the Rural Sector Performance Assessment, IFAD aims to provide governments, development partners, and investors with better evidence to guide rural investments, improve policy decisions, and strengthen agricultural transformation across multiple countries.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps:

1. Confirm organizational eligibility.
2. Review the project objectives and technical requirements.
3. Prepare a comprehensive implementation proposal.
4. Develop a detailed budget, including counterpart contributions.
5. Complete the eligibility self-certification.
6. Prepare an institutional profile highlighting relevant experience.
7. Submit the complete proposal before the official deadline.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

To improve your application:

• Demonstrate expertise in rural policy analysis.
• Show experience with international research programmes.
• Present a practical methodology for improving the RSPA.
• Include a strong statistical analysis approach.
• Highlight previous work with international development organizations.
• Provide a realistic implementation schedule.
• Clearly explain your counterpart contribution.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Omitting the required counterpart contribution.
• Providing an incomplete institutional profile.
• Failing to explain the proposed methodology.
• Presenting unrealistic timelines.
• Ignoring data quality and consistency requirements.
• Submitting incomplete proposal documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this IFAD Call for Proposals?

It is a global funding opportunity to select an organization or consortium that will strengthen IFAD’s Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA) methodology and produce country assessments.

How much funding is available?

The selected organization may receive up to US$1.2 million.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, universities, research institutes, think tanks, private sector companies, and eligible consortia.

What is the Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA)?

RSPA is IFAD’s analytical framework for evaluating rural sector policies, institutional performance, and investment environments across countries.

Is counterpart funding required?

Yes. Most applicants must contribute at least 20% of the IFAD grant amount, while private sector institutions must contribute at least 25%. Approved in-kind contributions may also be accepted.

How many countries will be assessed?

The selected organization will prepare the IFAD15 Rural Sector Performance Assessment for approximately 80 countries.

What documents must be submitted?

Applicants must submit a project proposal, indicative budget, eligibility self-certification, and an institutional profile demonstrating relevant experience.

Conclusion

The IFAD Call for Proposals offers a significant opportunity for experienced organizations to strengthen global rural development through the modernization of the Rural Sector Performance Assessment (RSPA). With grants of up to US$1.2 million, the initiative will improve policy analysis, enhance investment decision-making, generate high-quality knowledge products, and support sustainable rural transformation across approximately 80 countries.

For more information, visit IFAD.