How to Apply for a Grant

A complete, step-by-step guide to the MDF grant application process — from registration to fund disbursement.

Before you start, check you have:

✓ Valid email address ✓ Organisation registration documents ✓ Principal applicant's identity document ✓ Company profile or project description ✓ 30–60 minutes to complete registration

Application Stages

The Complete Application Journey

Follow these five stages carefully. Each stage unlocks the next.

Account Registration & Email Verification

Estimated time: 5 minutes

Visit the Meridian Development Fund Portal and click "Create Account." You'll need to provide your full name, email address, phone number, organisation name, country, and sector. Choose a strong password.

After registering, a 6-digit OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your email address. Enter it in the portal to verify and activate your account. The OTP expires after 10 minutes.

💡 Tip: Use an official organisational email address (not a personal Gmail). This helps with verification and builds credibility in your application.

Create Your Account →

Download & Complete the Application Form

Estimated time: 2–5 hours

Once logged in, your dashboard will display a banner to download the official MDF Grant Application Form. Download this PDF document and complete all sections carefully.

The form covers: organisation details, project description, budget breakdown, expected impact, implementation timeline, and key personnel. All sections are mandatory.

⚠ Important: Do not use outdated versions of the form. Always download the latest version from your dashboard — the admin may update it periodically.

→ Type directly into the PDF (do not handwrite if possible)
→ Ensure the authorised signatory signs the declaration page
→ Save and name the file: "MDF_YourOrgName_2026.pdf"

Upload Documents & Answer Pre-Screening Questions

Estimated time: 20–40 minutes

In the "Start Application" section of your portal, you will first answer 6 pre-screening eligibility questions. These help us understand your organisation and project at a high level. Then upload all required documents:

📋

Completed Grant Application Form

The official Meridian form, fully completed and signed.

Required

🏛

Certificate of Registration / Incorporation

Official legal registration from national/state authority.

Required

🪪

Identity Document — Principal Applicant

Valid passport or national ID of the primary contact.

Required

📊

Company / Organisation Profile

Background, structure, track record, and key personnel.

Required

📑

Financial Statements

Audited accounts or bank statements (last 1–2 years).

Recommended

📎

Supporting Documents

Letters of support, needs assessments, feasibility studies, etc.

Optional

📁 File Requirements: PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC or DOCX format. Maximum 10MB per file. Scanned copies of originals are acceptable — ensure they are clear and legible.

Review Stage & Decision

Typical duration: 10–15 business days

Once submitted, your application enters our review queue. The MDF grants evaluation team assesses eligibility, impact potential, financial viability, and organisational capacity.

You can track your application status in real time on your portal dashboard. Email notifications will be sent at key milestones.

Review Criteria

• Development impact and relevance to sector priorities

• Organisational legal standing and governance

• Feasibility and clarity of project plan

• Financial accountability and budget realism

• Completeness of application documents

✅ If Approved: You will receive your unique MDF Grant Reference Number (format: MDF-YYYY-GR-XXXXXX) and be notified of your approved grant amount via the portal and email.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MDF grant a loan or a non-repayable grant? +

Meridian Development Fund grants are non-repayable. They are funded by the German Federal Government's development cooperation budget and are not loans. You are not required to repay the grant amount if you comply with the grant agreement terms and conditions.

Who can apply for a MDF grant? +

Eligible applicants include NGOs, non-profit organisations, registered companies, cooperatives, public institutions, universities, and research institutes operating in MDF partner countries. Individual applicants are not eligible. Your organisation must be legally registered for at least 6–12 months (program-dependent).

How long does the application review take? +

The standard review period is 10–15 business days from the date of complete submission. Complex applications or those requiring additional documentation may take up to 30 days. You will receive status updates via email and your portal dashboard throughout the process.

What is the ATIAA accreditation and why is it required? +

ATIAA Trade and Investment Accreditation Authority is an independent international compliance body. MDF requires all approved grant recipients to obtain ATIAA accreditation as part of our anti-fraud, anti-money-laundering, and accountability framework. The accreditation verifies your organisation's governance integrity. Contact ATIAA directly at registry@atiaa.co, quoting your MDF grant reference number.

Can I apply for multiple grant programs simultaneously? +

No. Each organisation may submit one active application at a time. If your application is rejected, you may reapply in a subsequent grant window after a 6-month cooling-off period. If your application is approved, you may apply for a second grant only after completing your first grant project and submitting a final impact report.

What currencies can I receive my grant in? +

Grants are denominated in Euros (EUR) but can be disbursed and withdrawn in multiple currencies including EUR, USD and GBP. Transfers are processed via SWIFT to your designated bank account. Exchange rates applied are the prevailing interbank rates at the time of transfer.

How long after ATIAA accreditation submission will I receive my funds? +

Once your ATIAA certificate has been submitted and verified by Meridian (typically 3–5 business days), your grant wallet is activated. You may then submit withdrawal requests at any time. Approved withdrawals are processed within 2–5 business days via SWIFT international transfer to your bank.

What if my application is rejected? +

You will receive a notification with the reason for rejection. Common reasons include incomplete documents, ineligible project activities, insufficient organisational track record, or funding limits being reached. You may contact our grants team at registry@atiaa.co for detailed feedback and to discuss reapplication options.

Is there a matching fund requirement? +

A matching contribution (co-financing) of at least 10% of the total project budget is strongly encouraged but not mandatory for most programs. Projects that demonstrate co-financing commitments score higher in the evaluation. The matching contribution can be in cash, in-kind contributions, or partner funding.

Still Have Questions?

Our grants support team is available Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00 CET. We're happy to guide you through the application process.

Contact Grants Team → Go to