A Steering Committee of senior IFRC and ICRC staff is responsible for its overall direction and funding decisions. And a Stakeholder Advisory Group of National Society and external experts advises the Steering Committee how to improve the fund.

When a National Society is selected for funding, a senior IFRC or ICRC staff member in the closest country office will fulfil a liaison role to provide advice and help with contracting, monitoring and reporting.

How are funding decisions made?

Funding rounds are announced periodically with specific criteria and are guided by an overall investment strategy. The NSIA focuses on National Societies operating in fragile contexts and protracted crises and the Steering Committee decides which National Societies to fund in each round based on:

• Risk environment of a National Society
• Quality of application, plan and budget
• Likely impact and return on investment
• Amount of funding available through the NSIA and other channels

If a National Society is receiving accelerator funding, an annual review is conducted with oversight from the NSIA Office. Results from the previous year’s investment are used to inform the approval of further funding on an annual basis.

Decisions of the Steering Committee are shared publicly to ensure full transparency and accountability.

For more information contact the NSIA Office on [email protected] 

With the support of our partners, we can grow and maintain strong National Societies that can support the world's most vulnerable communities long into the future.

What is the applicant profile and eligibility criteria?

We give priority to:

• National Societies operating in medium, high and very high risk contexts, currently as defined by the independent INFORM index.
• National Societies whose leaders demonstrate the ambition to undertake real change and take their organizations to the next level of humanitarian impact

Strict eligibility and selection criteria apply. We only fund National Societies that show the highest commitment to our Fundamental Principles and operate with a high level of integrity.

What are the expected outcomes and impacts?

Investment through the NSIA:

• Enables National Societies to improve and sustain their capacity for delivering rapid and effective humanitarian services at the local and national levels
• Builds resilient communities
• Increases institutional learning, knowledge-sharing and coordination among Movement partners and the wider humanitarian sector

How does the NSIA report to donors?

We provide regular reports to donors and publish an annual report of overall fund activities. The annual report includes key results and achievements, risk management, lessons learned and a financial report.

You can find the latest NSIA annual report by scrolling down this page.

Financing rules apply

The NSIA operates in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards in a transparent way with clearly defined accountabilities.

Specific financing rules cover the use of funds, eligible expenses and financial capacity review and risk assessment requirements prior to investment.

These rules align with IFRC and ICRC requirements to ensure the proper management of funds from both financial and risk management perspectives.

The NSIA has the right to perform or commission audits or financial reviews of the investments.

For more information, contact the NSIA Office on [email protected] or your existing partner contacts in the IFRC or ICRC.

The NSIA can help improve your National Society's capacity to deliver relevant and effective humanitarian services that support the world's most vulnerable communities.

Can my National Society apply?

The NSIA currently focuses on National Societies operating in medium, high and very high-risk contexts as defined by the independent INFORM index, and the fund priorities will have a greater chance of receiving support.

We also look to fund National Societies whose leaders demonstrate the ambition to undertake real change to take their organizations to the next level of humanitarian impact.

Investments are demand-driven. This means National Societies decide the investment objectives and their support needs. National Society leaders are responsible for developing and submitting proposals for funding.

We only fund National Societies that show the highest commitment to our Fundamental Principles and operate with a high level of integrity. A National Society will not qualify for funding if it is an 'integrity case' being addressed by the IFRC's Compliance and Mediation Committee.

Eligibility and selection criteria

We look for the following detail in NSIA applications:

• Can you demonstrate a proven humanitarian or development need where investment can add value?
• Is your National Society's leadership clear about the change it seeks and is it strongly committed to reform?
• Can you provide i) evidence-based analysis of your organization and its context ii) relevant financial information and financial management capacity and iii) viable and realistic development and investment plan with a clear link to humanitarian impact
• Does your National Society have the capacity to implement the proposed changes, or plans to develop the capacity needed?
• Can you show how you will sustain the impacts of the investment? Do you have clear measures of success?

If your National Society is not quite able to answer the above questions you may be able to apply for a bridge grant. Bridge grants are designed to help your National Society develop a plan and prepare for future investment. To discuss an idea prior to application, please contact the NSIA office on [email protected] 

Expected outcomes and reporting requirements

National Societies are expected to clearly demonstrate the impact of investments, as well as their learning from organizational development. Biannual narrative reports on changes, results, learning and finances will be required.