Frontier technology refers to globally new or emerging capabilities like machine learning, blockchain, artificial biosensors, and the internet of things. But it’s also a term the programme uses for established technologies when they’re being applied in novel ways or to new contexts. For example, our PAYG Bicycles Pilot qualifies as frontier technology because its business model is novel to the geography - there were no other pay-as-you-go bicycle platforms in Zambia. There are certain technology areas where the panel would need strong evidence that a proposed pilot would be adequately frontier, such as mobile apps, where there are already many innovations in place operating across a range of sectors and contexts.

So, to qualify as a frontier technology for this programme, the technology itself does not necessarily have to be globally new or emerging. Applications are also encouraged for innovative applications of existing technologies - for example, where the technology is being applied in a new country or sector, or using a novel configuration or business model. Ultimately, the Frontier Tech Hub is looking for ideas with the potential to deliver impact at scale and support the delivery of FCDO priorities. Frontier technologies might be smarter, more digital, data-driven, cleaner, more distributed, more people-centred, more efficient or disruptive to current approaches and systems.

Frontier Technologies which we have worked with so far include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Alternate Internet Connectivity, collaborative economy, nature-based solutions, and clean energy technologies.  Read more about the evidence generated to date on our website.

All applications will be assessed against all criteria at the first, sift stage. Reviewers will complete a rubric and indicate whether they think the application is well suited to proceed to the next stage. Applications are not expected to be assessed as ‘strong’ against all criteria.  Nascent ideas are welcome.  

The purpose of these criteria is to test whether applicants have thought about their solutions holistically (i.e. from a range of perspectives) and have identified a solution that appears to be a strong fit for the selected problem. At this stage, we expect many applications to have ‘gaps’ in the level of certainty they have about different aspects of the problem or solution. Applications will not be assessed negatively if there are gaps or areas of uncertainty but will be expected to effectively identify outstanding areas of uncertainty, and identify learning questions for exploring these issues via the pilot.

Application Criteria:
1. Clear problem statement 
2. The Solution (a) is clear, (b) the value Proposition of the solution, and (c) the potential Impact of the Solution
3. Strength of Learning Questions 
4. Strategic alignment with FCDO priorities, policies and programmes

To review the detailed criteria, click here.

If your application successfully passes Dragon's Den stage, you will be invited to submit a second-stage application form.

The same Evaluation Criteria will be used in the second stage of the application process; however, you will be prompted at this stage to provide more in-depth information about:

1. How you might expect the solution to be scaled and sustained in the longer term.

2. The key risks that might result from the solution in the longer term (i.e. beyond the lifetime of the pilot), whereby the solution could perpetuate exclusion, or could lead to other unsafe impacts and cause harm. The mitigations that may be required to address these risks, as well as the wider opportunities the solution could offer in tackling issues such as inequity or exclusion.

3. The goals, scope and activities for a potential pilot.

Additional criteria relating to these considerations will be shared to all those invited to the next stage of the application process, however, where you feel relevant within the first phase application form, please share any thinking about each of these considerations.

The lead proposer is the member of FCDO staff who is considered the formal pilot applicant and will serve as the primary point of contact during the application process. As part of the application process, they will be required to pitch during the Dragon’s Den event, although they may choose to involve the co-proposers to support them in the Dragon’s Den.

The lead proposer is considered the lead FCDO ‘pioneer’ if the pilot is ultimately approved, and during pilot implementation they would join regular pilot calls as the custodian of the idea. They will be consulted regarding key decisions and as a minimum should expect to:

1. Provide a rationale to the programme’s SRO to single-source any tech or implementation partners and/or reviewing applications for potential partners sourced through a tender.

2. Join a fortnightly 1-hour coaching call throughout the duration of the pilot.

3. Participate in workshops to reflect on activities, surface learning and share it through the programme and FCDO’s networks and channels.

4. Participate in around 2 hours of sprint planning and review sessions at the end of each sprint (the number of sprints in a pilot varies, around 3-5 is typical).

5. Review partner deliverables and learnings at the end of each sprint.

6. Join around 3 hours of workshops at the inception of the pilot to define the pilot goals and learning questions, and a 1.5 hour review session at the closure of the pilot.

7. Approve the engagement of technical experts selected by the programme to provide technical assistance;

In the past, co-proposers have always been FCDO staff, but for this Call, staff from other HMG departments can be co-proposers. However, the lead proposer MUST be an FCDO staff member. The co-proposer will also be considered a ‘pioneer’ if the pilot is approved and may support lead pioneers by bringing particular technical skills, or through an in-country presence, etc. They may also undertake the duties of the lead pioneer if they can come to a mutual agreement to do so (e.g. if the lead pioneer is on leave, changes jobs during the pilot, etc.).

FCDO staff that are currently, or have previously been, pioneers are encouraged to submit new applications this year and are welcome to support colleagues to apply by acting as co-proposers.

No, pilots can also be proposed by any member of staff regardless of location. However, proposals would be strengthened by having co-proposers based in the relevant country teams, and/or a signal of support and approval from the relevant team or office. Acknowledgement and, at minimum, non-objection of the pilot by the relevant office would be required prior to contracting implementing partners, even if not possible to secure at the concept stage. 

Yes. All FCDO staff (UK teams and in-country teams) are welcome to apply. FCDO staff who are currently, or have previously been, pioneers are encouraged to submit new applications this year and to support colleagues to apply by acting as co-proposers.

No. And FCDO staff who are currently or have previously been pioneers are encouraged to submit new applications this year.

FCDO staff may discuss ideas in their networks and may get in touch with potential implementing partners to develop ideas. We are not prescriptive about where ideas come from or who you talk to.

We do however request that the application is not shared in a network without a FCDO staff member looking to propose. We are not able to accept applications not proposed by a FCDO staff member.

You may name a potential partner in your application. However, please note:

• You (the FCDO applicant) must draft and submit the application yourself.

• Identified potential partners cannot attend the Dragon’s Den or present on your behalf.

• Potential partners named in an application will not automatically be selected to deliver the pilot. Delivery partner selection will only happen after FCDO applicants and their pilot ideas are chosen.

After the FCDO applicant is successful, partner selection will follow one of two routes:

1. Sole source – where the pioneer and the Hub agree that the partner is best placed to deliver the pilot, and the partner strongly and convincingly meets the FCDO and Hub’s sole source criteria. This requires FCDO approval (i.e. the FT hub programme SRO) in line with procurement best practice.

2. Open competition i.e. Hub running a tender – where the Hub runs a transparent, competitive tender to identify the best delivery partner for the scope of work agreed between the Hub and the pioneer.

This ensures the process remains fair, transparent, and flexible, while delivering best Value for Money for the FCDO. Potential partners may be a source of inspiration for your application, but the focus of this Call is on selecting FCDO pioneers and their ideas. Partner selection comes later as per described process. Please keep this in mind if you have conversations with potential partners, so that their expectations are managed effectively.
Finally, your application will be assessed based on the strength and potential of your idea, not on the partners you propose. This means that naming a potential partner in your application does not give you an advantage.

The FT programme will support ideas in any country where FCDO operates. We are offering ODA and non-ODA funding, so it is open to the whole FCDO network.

Ideas in any of FCDO technical areas of operation are eligible for support. Ideas from FCDO staff relating to any theme or sector are welcome provided the focus is on generating impact across FCDO priority areas.

Alignment with FCDO priorities and programming is one of the criteria we will be assessing ideas against (see evaluation criteria here). We will be assessing applications on the extent to which an innovation could connect with FCDO’s priorities and programming, now or in the future. This might mean showing how your idea links to FCDO’s wider objectives (at team, country, directorate, or HMG level). It can also mean showing how your pilot would connect with the work you (or your team) are already doing or planning. For example, could the solution developed be adopted within a programme you are working on, or could learning from the pilot shape future policies or programmes?

 We welcome applications focused on any technology or sector.

This year, we're particularly excited by the potential of 'Underhyped Technologies' and Robotics following our recent explorations into these areas

If you’re considering an application for an idea which has a focus on any of the following technologies, consider looking into the FT Hub’s current pilot portfolio for that technology which can be found through the links below:

1. Machine Learning/AI

2. Blockchain

3. Internet of Things

4. 3D Printing

5. Geospatial Data

6. Sensors

7. Web3

8. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

We employ an approach to supporting pilots that blends a series of innovation methodologies. We take a lot of inspiration from Lean Impact. This method helps us focus on what to test by bringing to the surface sets of underlying assumptions about the proposed idea and quickly testing the most critical and uncertain through experiments. This helps us to learn meaningfully about what works (and what doesn’t, too). 

To plan and deliver these experiments, we favour agile – a popular methodology that involves working on lightweight, time-boxed phases of work tasks known as sprints. These let us test, learn and adapt ideas quickly so we remain flexible in complex, changing environments.  

To support these methods, our project management approach disburses funds based on the insights and evidence gathered from experiments, rather than pre-defined milestones, or success related to the technology or business model. This allows us to move more quickly, affordably, and flexibly, with the emphasis being on actionable insights. 

The FT Hub is flexible to pioneers’ needs – though our experience shows that the more engaged the pioneer, the more they get out of the pilot. A pioneer should be prepared to join a fortnightly call with the pilot team, provide links to relevant networks from their work, and have the support of their unit. The FT Hub will undertake all work surrounding contract management and fund dispersal, as well as leading the team through the innovation methodology, including sprints and experiments.  

Please also note that the Heads of Profession group supports the FT Hub and encourages all staff to participate in action learning and piloting of new technologies.  

The FT programme also supports a pioneer community. For current pioneers, events and opportunities enable you to: 

1. Deepen your understanding of technologies, testing and scaling

2. Connect you with what it means to be a pioneer, and experience this process alongside others

3. Introduce you to pioneers at different stages of the journey to explore further pathways.

In this case, the FT Hub will work with the relevant FCDO team or office to find a replacement. If this is not possible, but the pilot is judged to merit continuation, it may be overseen centrally by the programme SRO. Otherwise, it may be discontinued.

While the FT Hub has had numerous successes, like any innovation portfolio, our programme has also seen its fair share of pilots that we and our partners had hoped would turn out differently. An experimental approach designed to explore the most emergent tech comes with obvious risks, and will, on occasion, result in projects closing early.

The FT programme reserves the right to exit pilots early, before the total grant fund has been spent, if we or the pioneer determines there has been lack of progress and discontinuing is the best course of action OR a sprint or experiment has shown that the technology or innovation is unlikely to work or create impact

Lack of progress is likely to be evident from a combination of limited number of assumptions tested, limited generation and sharing of learning about what works and what doesn't, aligned with learning goals set at the outset, limited engagement with the FT programme’s methodology and key principles, pivoting significantly from goals or approach or the pilot’s direction no longer meeting the criteria for FT programme funding.

The FT Hub will regularly review progress with the pioneer and implementing team, will discuss any concerns about lack of progress and support teams to take corrective actions before any decision is taken.

Should pilot progress be completely non-existent, the FT Hub does have the option to exit the pilot completely. This eventuality is very rare and only something which happens under the most extreme circumstances.