Frontier technology refers to globally new or emerging capabilities like machine learning, drones, blockchain 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 (although this would potentially achieve the highest score against this particular criterion). 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 FT 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. 

Applicants are advised to clearly highlight why they believe their pilot proposal includes a technology application that is truly frontier. If you are unclear on whether a technology application would be considered frontier, contact the FT Hub for advice by booking a ​​coaching call or emailing ftlenquiries@dt-global.com.

Applications will be assessed against the following criterion:

1. Clear problem statement

2. Proposed solution ​​  

3. Genuinely frontier 

4. Clear demand for the solution, which is contextually appropriate   

5. Strategic alignment with FCDO priorities

6. Sustainability and scalability

7. Quality and feasibility of learning plan

8. Commitment and motivation of the proposer

All applications will be assessed against all criterion at the first, sift stage. Reviewers will complete a rubric and indicate whether they think the application is well suited to Pilot, Discovery Phase, or neither. The Dragon’s Den is an opportunity to dig deeper into each criterion.

Applications are not expected to be assessed as ‘strong’ against all criteria.  Nascent ideas are welcomed however these ideas are more likely to be awarded discovery phase support, in the first instance.  You can find further information about the difference between discovery phase projects and pilots in FAQ 3.

The evaluators will select, from the highest scoring applications, a cohort of pilots and discovery projects that complement the existing portfolio, and add to the existing learning and evidence.

You can find our further details on our evaluation criteria here. 

All you need to apply is an idea! Not all ideas are ready for real world testing; an idea may be too nascent and may require more thorough desk-top research and stakeholder engagement to determine if the idea has potential for impact. There might be an obvious risky-assumption which would need to be tested before the FT Hub can commit more resources and funds. If this is the case your idea will be awarded discovery phase support.  This is a pre pilot phase than enables FCDO to validate elements of an idea through exploration or experimentation, following which the idea may graduate to become a pilot.  The Hub supports FCDO to explore and develop emerging ideas through discovery and will do most of the heavy lifting and work in this phase.

Click here to see a diagram

Pilot – real world testing of your idea using lean and agile methodologies 

Discovery exploration - “research” and stakeholder engagement focused on generating more information around your idea to validate its potential for impact.

Discovery experiment – real world testing of a key critical assumption (potential barrier) to validate the assumption (the barrier can be overcome) before investing further in developing the solution.

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 and/or partners 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 a blog post per sprint and the Pilot Report at the end of the pilot (written by the implementing partner and the FT Hub respectively).

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;

Co-proposers, who should also be FCDO staff, 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 may not submit new applications this year but are encouraged 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 that are currently, or have previously been, pioneers may not submit new applications this year but are encouraged to support colleagues to apply by acting as co-proposers.

FCDO staff members are limited to one application as lead proposer. FCDO staff who are currently or have previously been pioneers not to submit new applications this year, but encourage you to support colleagues to apply by acting as co-proposers.

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.

Applications can be made with an implementing partner proposed on the application form, but this is certainly not a requirement.  Please refer to FAQs 10, 11 and 12.

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.

There are no limitations on the number or types of partners that can be engaged as part of an application. A credible team structure will be considered a strength, with each individual or organisation providing a clear skillset or contribution. However, having partners defined in advance is not required.  Where multiple partners are engaged on a pilot, the FT Hub’s preference is to have a lead partner that can engage subcontractors. That said, partners may not all be identified at the same time, nor all engaged for the full duration of the pilot, and the FT Hub can work with you to agree a structure that is suitable for your pilot.

We consider applications at different stages, all you need to apply is an idea.

The FT Hub will support you to explore the problem you want to tackle, and to find the right partner for the job. Your idea doesn’t need to be fully formed and you don’t need to have identified an implementing partner to apply. 

During the assessment process, any proposed implementing partners are permitted to collaborate with the FCDO proposer(s) to develop applications and be listed on applications. The proposed partner(s) would be allowed to join the FCDO staff member in the Dragon’s Den as part of the second round of assessment if the pilot advances past the initial sift phase, however the FCDO proposer will be required to lead the pitch.

If a pilot is approved, the FT Hub will work with FCDO to confirm if the supplier is best-suited to deliver the engagement or, if there are potential reasonable alternative suppliers, determine if it is in the best interest of the FT Hub and FCDO that the pilot be sole-sourced to the implementing partner on the application, or whether to put out a competitive tender. It is therefore possible that an implementing partner proposed on an application may not be selected for the implementation of the programme, even if they were involved in writing the application.   

​​​Once selected, implementing partners are expected to carry out the work defined in the Discovery Scope of Works and / or Pilot sprint plans. Where, in the view of the FT Hub, external expertise is required, an Independent Technical Expert (ITE) may be appointed by the FT Hub to support the implementing partner.   

Implementing partners will need to:

Work in accordance with the FT programme’s methodology: Pilots will need to work under the programme’s pilot approach, which borrows from lean and agile methodology. These are proven ways of successfully piloting innovations;

Generate and share learning: Implementing partners will be required to share their experiences and learning generated regularly through programme and FCDO networks.  This will include blog posts, case studies and pilot stories and reports as well as contributing to portfolio level learning through workshops, light touch surveys and interviews during and after the pilot.

In addition to this, all pilots will need to adhere to the FT programme’s and FCDO’s governance procedures.

Funding provided by the FT programme can be used as the pilot team wishes within the usual rules about the use of FCDO funds. However, note that the programme requires an in-field pilot and therefore only a portion of the award may be used on the development of the technology in question. The plan and budget for each sprint will need to be approved by the FCDO pioneer and FT Hub.

Payments are disbursed in arrears on completion of sprint and sharing of agreed deliverables. 

Please also note that all expenses related to technical assistance provided by experts outside the core FT Hub team – such as an ITE to assess the supplier market - will be counted as part of the total award. 

The programme covers all-inclusive rates for for-profit organisations and so encourage these grantees to include these costs proportionally in their rates (proposed rates will be reviewed based on seniority, role on the pilot, etc. and more evidence may be requested). Non-profit organisations may include overheads following FCDOs ‘full-cost recovery’ principles – further guidance for implementing partners is available upon request. 

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.

Yes, this is one of the criteria. Call 9 applications will be assessed on the extent to which they align with FCDO priorities and future programming objectives. Please consult any national level strategies and policies, or reference such as the International Technology Strategy, International Development Strategy, or the 2023 Integrated Review Refresh when preparing your application.

 We welcome applications focused on any technology or sector.

However, as the programme has supported 75 pilots across 30 countries, the FT Hub is interested in supporting projects which build on learning generated to date, and in supporting applications exploring outstanding problems and research gaps that have not been explored by previous pilots to generate new learnings.

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 or discovery phase. 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 and discovery projects 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.

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.