The clock is ticking, and we are just days away from the closing of the call for applications for rural digital innovation projects! We know that preparing your application can raise some questions. That is why we have compiled the most frequently asked questions we have received through our social media and WhatsApp communities. Our goal is to help you submit the best possible proposal.
Read carefully and get ready to transform the countryside with rural digital innovation projects.
Team and Age Requirements
Can I apply if I am 36 years old or older?
Not individually, but you can be part of an associative team. The only condition is that the project must be led by a person who is between 18 and 35 years old.
Do the team members also have to be between 18 and 35 years old?
No, there is no age limit for the other team members. Only the project leader needs to fall within that age range.
Types of Projects and Allowed Applications
Does my technological solution have to be strictly linked to agriculture?
Not necessarily. Your initiative can be linked to tourism, livestock, aquaculture, or any other activity directly related to rural development or production.
Can my project be a prototype or an idea?
It can be a prototype, but not an abstract idea, since we need evidence for you to participate. The call accepts 3 levels of “maturity” in the proposals. The most basic category includes those initiatives that already use existing and available digital tools to reorganize or improve processes at any level within agricultural activities.
Can I submit more than one solution?
Individually, you cannot submit more than one project. However, you are allowed to do so if you join a different team with an entirely new proposal.
Dynamics of Training, Mentorships, and Results
When will the winners’ results be published?
The results will be announced through our official channels between late September and early October.
Are the training courses and mentorships in person?
The main dynamic of the trainings and mentorships is virtual. However, depending on each specific case, some sessions may be arranged in person upon direct agreement with the mentor.
Are these training opportunities exclusive to the representative or for the whole team?
The training opportunities are open to the entire team!
Does the Award cover the expenses of the whole team in case of in-person training?
All information regarding logistics and expense coverage will be detailed through our official channels exactly at the time the winning initiatives are announced.
About the Application Video and the Awards Ceremony
Does the application video need to include subtitles?
It is not mandatory, but we highly recommend including them. Subtitles make it much easier for the jury to fully understand your initiative.
Is it mandatory for the representative to appear speaking in the video or for the whole team to be in it?
It is not strictly necessary for the representative’s face to appear, nor is it mandatory for the whole team to be in it. What is truly important is that the video explains with total clarity what the project is about and its impact.
Does the entire team travel to the awards ceremony with all expenses paid?
No, only one project representative will have their expenses covered to attend the awards ceremony.
Is the funding provided by the Award non-refundable (equity-free)?
That is correct, the Award funding is strictly non-refundable.
It is time to make things happen! The countryside needs new ideas, and you have the tools to connect it to the future. Fill out your form today and secure your place in the new generation of digital leaders in agriculture.
The agricultural ecosystem doesn’t need rescuing; it needs young people like you to connect it to the future. You have the vision; we provide the financial and technical support.
Looking for inspiration? Discover how other young people are already transforming their territories in our Success Stories section.
Start your application today at: https://nexusrural.org/en/application/
The Nexus Rural 2026 Award is a joint initiative that seeks to empower rural youth through innovation and technology. This effort is led and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized United Nations agency, in collaboration with Procasur, a global organization dedicated to scaling innovative solutions in rural areas and territorial development.
