SheConnects Digital Accelerator India 2026 (Round 2)

The SheConnects Digital Accelerator is an initiative established by Reliance Foundation and Gates Foundation, with GSMA Foundation providing management oversight. Its focus is on advancing digital inclusion for women in India through the expansion of proven, high-impact solutions. Reliance Foundation leads the grant funding component within India.

The programme targets obstacles that restrict women and girls from full participation in the digital sphere, including access, affordability, digital literacy, relevant content, online safety, and social norms. It works to broaden digital access, strengthen skills, ensure security, and open economic pathways for women nationwide.

At the heart of SheConnects Digital Accelerator India 2026 is grant support for organisations with validated solutions prepared for scaling. These solutions must either enable first-time internet access for women or enhance the benefits existing users derive from digital services. The programme also supports innovation, evidence generation, and South-to-South learning to build inclusive digital ecosystems. Selected projects are expected to contribute insights into effective approaches, spur further innovation, and support a more equitable digital environment that improves women's lives and livelihoods.

• Stage 1 – Pitch Submission: Applicants start by filling out a brief online Pitch form. This first step requires details about the organisation, the proposed solution, and how the project meets the programme’s funding criteria. All responses must be written in English.
• Stage 2 – Proposal: Those who advance from the Pitch stage are asked to submit a fuller Proposal. This document should cover the project plan, anticipated impact, and scalability in greater detail.
• Stage 3 – Fund Panel Assessment: The Fund Panel, made up of specialists from the organising foundations and their partners, reviews each submitted Proposal thoroughly.
• Stage 4 – Contracting: Candidates who succeed move to the contracting phase, where the grant agreement and project terms are finalised.
• Stage 5 – Project Launch: Once contracting is complete, the project formally begins its implementation phase. Every application must be sent through the official online portal and must be in English only.

Applications are reviewed through a staged evaluation aimed at identifying solutions with strong impact potential and room to grow. Following the initial Pitch submission, the programme’s selection committee—comprising representatives from Reliance Foundation, Gates Foundation, and GSMA Foundation—conducts a detailed screening. Organisations that pass this stage are asked to submit a fuller proposal.

These detailed submissions are then assessed by a Fund Panel made up of subject matter experts and programme partners. The panel reviews each proposal against the programme’s objectives, likely impact, scalability, and the applicant’s organisational capacity. Final decisions rest on the panel’s recommendations, with the goal of supporting the most promising efforts to advance women’s digital inclusion.