Call for Grant Applications -Bridging Narratives Grant Program
Application Deadline:
26 October 2025
About Organisation
SBI Foundation is the philanthropic arm of India’s largest bank, established to channel and coordinate the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The Foundation focuses on sustainable, large-scale social impact in areas such as education, livelihoods, health, environment, and rural development. By leveraging the banking group’s vast network, the Foundation supports programmes that address systemic challenges and benefit marginalized communities across India. With a commitment to innovation, strategic partnerships, and measurable outcomes, the Foundation seeks to catalyse transformation in underserved regions, aligning with national development goals and global sustainability frameworks.
About the Grant
The SBIF CONSERW: Waste No More initiative invites proposals under the broader CONSERW (Conservation through Sustainable Engagements, Restoration and Wildlife Protection) programme, with a specific focus on solid-waste management and related environmental interventions. The funding window supports two- to three-year projects starting from FY 2025–26, aimed at strengthening India’s wastemanagement systems, safeguarding ecosystems, and advancing sustainable urban and rural environments. Project budgets must be in the range of INR 20 million to INR 40 million, and activities must align with themes such as plastic waste reduction, material-recovery facility establishment, faecal-sludge treatment, community behavioural change, and partnerships with municipal bodies. The programme emphasises scalability, replicability, and alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sanitation, sustainable cities, climate action, and life on land.
Who can Apply?
Eligible applicants for this grant are registered, non-profit organisations (NGOs) operating in India, with a minimum track record of three years in CSR or environmental interventions, particularly in the waste-management sector. Applicants must have managed or established at least one operational Material Recovery Facility (MRF) or Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), and processed a minimum of 1,000 tons of waste. Organisations should demonstrate an organisational structure with defined teams, existing recycling or off-take partnerships, and presence in the proposed operating state. Only one proposal per organisation is permitted; multiple submissions will be disqualified. Projects must be owned and implemented by the NGO directly—sub-contracting or outsourcing core activities is not allowed. Further eligibility criteria include audited financials for the past three years, tax-exempt status, and no history of blacklisting or linkage to political or religious groups. Projects must be located in Indian states, preferably tier-2 or tier-3 cities, and must align with the Foundation’s waste-management framework.
How to Apply?
Applicants must complete the online Request for Proposal (RFP) submission process on the Foundation’s website, uploading the signed RFP document, detailed project proposal, log frame, budget work-sheet, audited financial statements, registration certificates (12A/80G/FCRA), and all requisite annexures. Only soft-copy submissions are accepted by the deadline; proposals must be complete and compliant with all instructions.
Application Deadline
All proposals for this call must be submitted by 26 October 2025.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
