World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant
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Quick Answer
Project funding from the World Diabetes Foundation for diabetes care, prevention and advocacy in low- and middle-income countries, India included. Concept notes accepted all year.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- World Diabetes Foundation
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- International
About this grant
The World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant is funding from the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), an independent foundation based in Gentofte, Denmark. It supports diabetes prevention and care projects in low- and middle-income countries, and applications are open all year through a short concept note. The amount is not stated on the listing, and there is no fixed deadline.
What the program offers
WDF funds project partnerships, which means money for projects run with local organisations rather than a prize or a fixed-size award. The page the listing is based on does not give a grant size, a range or a maximum, and the official how-to-apply page does not either, so check with WDF before you plan a budget. The listing's earlier text says WDF focuses on diabetes care, primary prevention and advocacy, and that administration overhead cannot exceed 7% of the budget subtotal. That text also lists things WDF does not fund, such as basic laboratory research, conference travel grants, long-term training grants, heavy equipment and core running costs like permanent staff salaries. The official page we re-read does not repeat these points; it points to a separate "What we fund" section.
Who can apply
The official page says only that all applicants must submit a brief concept note for the proposed project partnership. The earlier listing text adds that projects should be locally anchored in a country on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients, which includes India, and must target poor or marginalised people. It also says the applicant should be a registered legal entity able to sign a contract with a foreign donor, with a record in diabetes care and prevention or partners who have one.
For an Indian applicant this means a registered organisation, usually an NGO, hospital, health-service provider or similar body, with a clear diabetes project aimed at underserved communities. The listing says WDF's pages do not limit applicants to non-profits, but confirm with WDF if you are a company. It does not suit individuals, pure research ideas or general health projects with no diabetes link.
How to apply
- Download the standard concept note format from the WDF website, which is a Word document.
- Complete it with your project idea, applicant details, budget and other information the template asks for. The official page does not list the sections, so follow the template.
- Submit the concept note through WDF's online platform, Submittable, at any time of year.
- Wait for the WDF Secretariat to review it.
- If the review is positive, you may be invited to send a full application.
A practical tip: the page says applicants can contact their WDF focal point or the WDF team with questions, so use that route before you write, to check that your idea fits.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The Secretariat first reviews each concept note. If the review is positive, you may be invited to submit a full application, which the WDF Board of Directors considers. The official page gives no deadlines, review periods or decision timelines, so do not assume a fixed turnaround.
About the World Diabetes Foundation
WDF is an independent foundation set up by Novo Nordisk in 2002, according to the earlier listing text, and it is based in Gentofte, Denmark. It works through partnerships with local organisations in low- and middle-income countries. Its website also covers its impact, annual reports, the Global Diabetes Walk and a scam alert page.
Things to check before you apply
- No grant size is stated, so ask WDF what scale of project it usually supports.
- The earlier listing text says co-funding, where used, must be in cash, realistic and committed. Confirm this against the current template.
- The listing says the grant needs a separate bank account that can be externally audited, so check your organisation can do this.
- WDF's own scam alert page is a reminder to use only its official website and platform when applying.
- Foreign funding for Indian organisations carries its own rules, so take advice from an adviser on FCRA and tax treatment before applying.
Eligibility
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Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
WDF funds the activities of a diabetes care, prevention or advocacy project. It expects most of the budget to go to activities rather than salaries and overheads: project staff should be kept to a minimum, and administration costs can be at most 7% of the budget subtotal. You state the amount you need and any cash co-funding in your concept note.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The WDF Secretariat reviews each concept note. If the review is positive, WDF may invite the applicant to send a full application, which the WDF Board of Directors considers. The source gives no deadlines or decision times.
Application Process
- 1
Concept note
Send a short concept note in WDF's format at any time.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
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 World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant?
Every applicant starts with a brief concept note for a project partnership. The earlier listing text says the applicant should be a registered legal entity with a record in diabetes care and prevention, or with partners who have one. The projects must target poor or marginalised people.
Can Indian organisations apply to the World Diabetes Foundation?
Yes, according to the earlier listing text, which says India is on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients that WDF uses. The organisation must be a registered legal entity that can sign a contract with a foreign donor. Take advice on rules for receiving foreign funds.
How much funding does the World Diabetes Foundation give?
The source does not state a grant amount or limit. Ask your WDF focal point or the WDF team before you build a budget. The earlier listing text only says administration overhead cannot exceed 7% of the budget subtotal.
How is the WDF grant paid?
The source does not describe payment terms. The earlier listing text says the grantee needs a separate bank account that can be externally audited.
What is the deadline for the WDF Project Grant, and what if it has passed?
There is no deadline. The official page says concept notes may be submitted at any time during the year, so you can apply whenever your project is ready.
Is the WDF Project Grant a grant or equity?
It is a grant for project partnerships, and the source describes no equity being taken. The earlier listing text says any co-funding must be in cash.
What documents do I need to apply to WDF?
You need the completed concept note in WDF's standard Word format, submitted online through Submittable. The official page does not list its sections, so follow the template. If invited, you then prepare a full application.
Do I have to travel to apply for the WDF grant?
The source does not mention any travel requirement. Applications are made online.
Is it free to apply to the World Diabetes Foundation?
The source does not mention any application fee. The WDF site has a scam alert page, so apply only through its official website and platform.
When will I hear back from WDF after submitting a concept note?
The source gives no review period or decision date. The Secretariat reviews the concept note first, and a positive review may lead to an invitation to send a full application to the Board.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
