RISK Award 2027 (Munich Re Foundation)
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Quick Answer
Up to €100,000 (about ₹1.09 crore) from the Munich Re Foundation for a non-profit's climate-resilience project in informal settlements in a low- or middle-income country. Phase I closed.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Munich Re Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 31 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Munich Re Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
Phase I of the 2027 RISK Award is closed. It ran from 1 June to 12:00 noon CET on 31 July 2026, and the official page says no further applications will be accepted. Phase II is by invitation only. The award is biennial with a new topic each time, so the next open call would be for a later edition; no date or topic is announced.
The RISK Award is run by the Munich Re Foundation with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It funds an operational project in disaster risk reduction. The 2027 topic was "Climate resilience for informal settlements". It is for non-profit organisations, not startups or individuals, and an Indian non-profit could apply if its project is based in a qualifying country. The award ceremony is planned for May or June 2027. This page helps non-profits prepare for the next edition.
What the award offers
The winning project receives funding of up to €100,000 (about ₹1.09 crore), which must be used to carry out the proposed project. Each awardee signs an individual funding agreement fitted to the project. The award covers only part of larger projects: the total project budget, including your own and other funding, must not exceed €1,000,000, and the project budget should be at least €50,000. If your project is larger than the award, you must say what it costs in total, where the rest comes from and what the award money will pay for. The RISK Award contribution must have a visible impact within the project. The project should run between 12 months and two years.
Who can apply
Only non-profit organisations: local entities, or international organisations with a regional or local office in the project region. Individuals cannot apply. The project must be in a low- or middle-income country by World Bank classification; check the current World Bank list for your project country. It must include real implementation work, because a research-only proposal is not enough. The risks must come from climate change and natural hazards; risks only from war, social turmoil, chemical disasters or political crises are out of scope. Business development is not supported. Multi-stakeholder projects need one clearly named lead organisation. People-centred and community-based approaches are welcomed.
This suits an Indian NGO already working with an informal settlement on flooding, heat, water or housing risk, with a delivery plan. It does not suit a for-profit company or a pure research group.
How to apply
Register on the online portal, add a new submission and complete the form in English. In Phase I you download the concept template, fill it in and upload it as a PDF. Late submissions or additions are not accepted. Applicants hear within two months of the Phase I deadline whether they are invited to Phase II. In Phase II you complete the online form and upload four documents as PDFs: a detailed description, a milestone plan, an impact framework and a budget. Applications by post or email are not considered.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Phase II proposals are evaluated on five indicators: potential for impact, equity, scalability, viability and sustainability, and institutional capacity. The organisers advise showing how your project contributes to each. A jury of internationally respected disaster risk reduction experts, including politicians, scientists and practitioners, makes the final decision. The timetable was Phase I review in August and September 2026, Phase II applications from 1 October to 30 November 2026, Phase II review until 31 March 2027, and notification in April 2027, with final status no later than May 2027. No interim updates are given.
About the Munich Re Foundation and UNDRR
The Munich Re Foundation and UNDRR are the project partners of the award. The award was set up to help improve risk reduction and disaster management by supporting projects dedicated to these issues, and it draws on the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
Things to check before you apply
- Funding gap. You must explain how any budget above the award will be funded.
- Lead organisation. Partnerships need one named focal point.
- Foreign funds. Indian NGOs receiving foreign money should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser.
- A practical tip: structure your concept around the five indicators from the start.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The award is endowed with €100,000 (about ₹1.09 crore), the maximum the RISK Award will contribute to one project. The money must be spent on carrying out the proposed project, under an individual funding agreement with the awardee. Larger projects are welcome as long as the total budget stays at or below €1,000,000 and the proposal shows where the rest of the money comes from and what the award pays for. The proposed budget should not be less than €50,000.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Phase I concepts are reviewed and the best are invited to Phase II. Proposals are scored on five indicators: potential for impact, equity, scalability, viability and sustainability, and institutional capacity. A jury of international disaster risk reduction experts makes the final decision.
Application Process
- 1
Phase I concept
Submit the online form and concept template.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the RISK Award?
Non-profit organisations: local entities, or international organisations with a regional or local office in the project region. Individuals cannot apply and business development is not supported.
Can an Indian NGO apply for the RISK Award?
Yes, if it is a non-profit and the project is based in a country the World Bank classes as low or middle income. The official page points to the World Bank list, so check the current classification for your project country.
How much funding is available?
Up to €100,000 (about ₹1.09 crore) for the winning project. The total project budget, including other funding, must not exceed €1,000,000.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is project funding for a non-profit, set out in an individual funding agreement with each awardee. The page does not mention equity.
What was the deadline and what if it has passed?
Phase I closed at 12:00 noon CET on 31 July 2026. Phase II is by invitation only. The award is biennial with a new topic each time, and no next call is announced.
What must the project include?
Real implementation work, not just research, linked to risks from climate change and natural hazards. It should run 12 months to 2 years.
What documents are needed?
Phase I needs the online form and a concept template uploaded as a PDF, in English. Phase II needs a detailed description, a milestone plan, an impact framework and a budget, each as a PDF.
Is it free to apply and do I have to travel?
The pages reviewed mention no application fee. They also do not describe travel, other than saying the award ceremony is planned for May or June 2027.
When are results announced?
Applicants are notified individually in April 2027 and told their final status no later than May 2027. The organisers do not give interim updates.
How are proposals judged?
On five indicators: potential for impact, equity, scalability, viability and sustainability, and institutional capacity. A jury of international disaster risk reduction experts decides.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
