What are replication grants?
Replication grants are one of the project types you can fund through ChangeX. They’re for community members who want to launch a proven idea, that is a project idea that’s already been developed, tested, and packaged by a Social Innovator and ChangeX so that others can replicate it locally.
Because the project model, funding amount, and step-by-step guide are already in place, replication applications move through a faster, lighter-touch review process than open grants.
Replication applications are typically allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead of waiting for the fund to close before reviewing all applications side by side, replications are funded as they come in as long as the applicant meets eligibility criteria and completes their initial requirements within 30 days.
This works because the proven idea has already been validated and therefore the question we are looking to answer is whether the applicant is motivated and able to deliver it locally. Learn more about how this is done here.
Note: Some funds use a scored hybrid model where replications are reviewed alongside open grants after the fund closes. This is common for higher-value proven ideas (e.g. solar installations). See the section on scored hybrid funds below.
The stages of a replication application
Each replication application moves through a series of stages in your fund dashboard. The tabs across the top of the Applications page reflect the stage of each application.
1. Replications inbox — new application submitted
When a community member applies to replicate a proven idea, their application lands in the Replications inbox tab.
The grantee now has 30 days to complete their initial requirements, a set of steps on their project page that differ based on the type of project but typically include a touch point with our team and sharing a team photo and project plan.
2. Allocated — funding is provisionally reserved
As the applicant takes action, the application automatically moves to the Allocated tab. At this point the funding amount is reserved from your fund’s budget, but no money has been paid yet.
3. Succeeded — initial requirements complete
When the grantee completes their initial requirements within 30 days, the application moves to the Succeeded tab.
If they don’t complete the steps within 30 days, the application is automatically moved to the Failed tab (under More). The reserved funding is released back into your available budget.
4. Approved — grantee is awarded their funding
Once an application moves to succeeded, our team conducts an eligibility and due diligence review to confirm the applicant fits the fund’s criteria and that the initial requirements were completed successfully. We also check that they have provided bank account details matching the application information.
Once our team has confirmed that the project is ready for payment, we move the application to the Approved tab, where it’s ready for payment.
Note: In a self serve fund, you will complete this and subsequent steps yourself.
5. Paid seed — first payment goes out
Once approved, the first payment is sent (typically 70% of the total grant). The application moves to the Paid seed tab.
6. Impact — grantee reports back
Once the grantee has run their project and submitted their impact survey and impact summary post, the application moves to the Impact tab. You can review their impact submission directly on their project page or in the Impact section of your dashboard.
7. Paid impact — final payment and completion
After we confirm the impact report is complete, the final payment (typically 30%) is released. The grant is now fully paid out and the project is considered completed on ChangeX.
A note on scored hybrid funds
Some funds, typically those funding higher-value proven ideas, use a scored hybrid model. In a scored hybrid fund:
All replication applications stay in the inbox until the fund closes, instead of being allocated on a rolling basis.
Once the fund closes, all applications are reviewed against consistent criteria.
You then decide which projects to fund based on the scores, either using our recommendations or scoring alongside us.
If your fund uses this model, see Review and score applications for the step-by-step process.