GFI2026: International Conference on Grassroots & Frugal Innovation in Emerging Economies Birla Global University Bhubaneswar, India, March 12-14, 2026

Conference website	https://gfi.bgu.ac.in/
Submission link	https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=gfi2026
Poster	download
Abstract registration deadline	January 16, 2026
Submission deadline	February 15, 2026

GFI2026

International Conference on Grassroots & Frugal Innovation in Emerging Economies

12­­­­—14 March 2026

Organized jointly by

B-HIVE—Birla Hub for Innovation, Venturing, and Entrepreneurship, Birla School of Management, Birla Global University, India; Earl V. Snyder Innovation Management Center, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University, USA; and Mid-West University, Surkhet, Nepal

About the Conference

Grassroots and frugal innovation represent two complementary pathways toward sustainable development—one arising from community ingenuity and local problem-solving, and the other from systematic efforts to “do more with less.” Together, they offer transformative potential for addressing persistent challenges in health, education, agriculture, energy, water, mobility, and livelihoods across emerging economies. These innovations redefine affordability, resilience, and inclusivity by blending indigenous wisdom with frontier technologies, bridging gaps between informal creativity and structured enterprise systems.

Yet, scaling these innovations remains a complex challenge. Translating promising prototypes into viable solutions demands an enabling ecosystem—strong policy support, public digital infrastructure, inclusive and pragmatic financing mechanisms, and robust market linkages that ensure last-mile access. When these components align, innovation becomes not only affordable but also accountable, measurable, and worth investing—creating shared value for communities, enterprises, and governments alike.

In this context, emerging economies serve as the ideal base for such convergence. Rapid urbanization, fast changing demographic profiles, and growing Tier-2/3/4 markets represent fresh avenues for cost-effective and climate-smart solutions. India’s advance in the Global Innovation Index (from 81st in 2015 to 39th in 2024) shows how grassroots ingenuity and institutional innovation can intersect to drive inclusive growth. Regions endowed with rich artisanal heritage, agrobiodiversity, and cooperative enterprise networks—such as Eastern and Northeastern India—can serve as demonstration hubs for frugal innovations adaptable across other emerging economies.

This international conference will endeavour to bring together academia, policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, financiers, and development practitioners to explore how grassroots and frugal innovation can catalyze sustainable transitions. The forum aims to enable dialogue across multiple sectors, find scalable models, and explore actionable frameworks through scholarly presentations, keynotes, panels, workshops, and innovation showcases. The outcome will be consolidated into an SDG-aligned post-conference action note, outlining pathways for investment, policy recommendations, and collaboration across borders.

 

Call for Submissions on Thematic Tracks

We welcome original contributions from scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders in the disciplines represented across the conference tracks, as well as from associated business functions related to these domains—including marketing, human resources, finance, operations, IT, strategy, and governance.

• Inclusive Innovation: Affordable solutions and business models in healthcare, education, water, energy, mobility, and other social infrastructure.

• Digital Infrastructure for Public Value: Innovation in public digital infrastructure, AI/GenAI, IoT, blockchain, FinTech, and digital aggregators.

• Climate-Smart Agroeconom: Research and practices in agrotech, post-harvest systems, market access, nutrition security, regenerative farming, fisheries, timber, and non-timber forest produce (NTFPs), and bioeconomy solutions.

• Creative & Cluster—Based Enterprises: Initiatives for cluster upgradation, artisan ecosystem strengthening, manufacturing modernization, export readiness, and value-added innovation through cooperatives, FPOs, SHGs, social enterprises, and community-based producer networks.

• Sustainable Infrastructure: Solutions in affordable housing, WASH (water, sanitation & hygiene), energy production and distribution, mobility, waste-to-value systems, and resilient city—village linkages promoting circular and inclusive development.

• Policies & Partnerships: Deliberations on policy design, public procurement & delivery standards, regulations, catalytic/blended finance, impact measurement, cross-border collaborations, and cross-border partnerships.

Submission Categories and Guidelines

Easychair submission page: When you make a submission on the Easychair submission page, please ensure that all the fields in the information page are filled correctly. This would include Title of the paper; Keywords; Topic/Subject area; Abstract (200 words); Details of Author/Co-Authors which include first name, last name, email, phone number, affiliation, and country. Details of the authors’ names and affiliation should not appear in the main manuscript. Only extended abstract submissions will be considered. Papers should be submitted to https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=gfi2026  in the prescribed format.

 

Submission Guidelines

• The extended abstract of 1000—2,000 words (excluding references, figures, and tables) should be uploaded on the Easychair submission page using the Submission tab. This document should not contain author names and author details. The paper should be uploaded as a pdf file.IN case of published article (category 2 as mentined below), the author need to upload the entire paper with abstract.
• The extended abstract submission should contain the title of the paper, the 200-word abstract, the keywords, and clearly outlined literature, methodology and results sections.
• The extended abstract inclusive of tables, figures, references, should be submitted as a single document and should be between 1000-2000 words.
• References should be in APA style (The following link can be used for guidelines - http://www.bibme.org/citation-guide/apa/  )
• The paper must be formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font with double line spacing and 1” margin on all sides.
• Modifications to authorship, author order or affiliations are not permitted after submission.
• All submissions will be put through an originality/plagiarism check.

Submissions in the following categories are invited for all tracks mention above. 

Submission Categories

Category 1: Unpublished Manuscripts 

Original, unpublished research (empirical studies, field experiments, case/practice notes, value-driven decision frameworks, patents, policy ideas, and promising prototypes.

Category 2: Published Articles

Participants may submit a PDF version of a previously published article under this category. These submissions are intended for knowledge sharing and best-practice dissemination to encourage high-quality scholarly publishing. Only a select number of papers will be chosen for presentation within the designated tracks at the conference. Please note that these papers will not be part of the official conference proceedings.

Category 3: Poster

Who Can Submit: Early-stage researchers, students, innovators, and practitioners working on ideation, prototypes, field experiments, conceptual models, or design-led solutions aligned with the conference theme.

Category 4: High-Fidelity Prototype / Product Demonstration (As entries for B-HIVE Grassroots & Frugal Innovation Awards)

Who Can Participate: Innovators, startups, incubators, student teams, research labs, and enterprises developing high-fidelity prototypes, minimum viable products (MVPs), or market-ready solutions aligned with the conference theme and sub-themes.

Demonstration Format

• Accepted teams/entries will be invited for on-site demonstration sessions during the conference.
• Each team/ entry will have 12–15 minutes for live demonstration and interaction.
• Kiosk space will be provided, equipped with one table, two chairs, and provision for a display.
• Basic infrastructure support, including power supply and internet access, will also be made available.

Evaluation Criteria: Demonstrations will be assessed on novelty, functionality, user impact, frugality and sustainability, design quality, and potential for scalability and commercialization.

For detailed submission guidelines, please visit: https://gfi.bgu.ac.in/

Awards & Recognitions

Sl. No.	Award & Recognition	Submission Category	Description
1	Best Paper Awards	Unpublished Manuscripts	One outstanding paper will be selected for this award in each track. The award recognizes exceptional research quality, originality, and relevance to the conference theme and the subthemes. Winners will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a cash prize of ₹15,000.
2	Scholarly Impact Showcase	Published Articles	The award highlights previously published research that advances understanding in innovation, sustainability, and development. Outstanding presenters will receive a Certificate of Special Appreciation and a cash prize of Rs. 5000.
3	Best Poster Awards	Poster Presentation	Two outstanding posters will be selected based on creativity, research relevance, visual presentation, and clarity of communication. The awardees will receive Certificates of Appreciation along with the following prizes: Best Poster (Overall): ₹8,000 Runner-Up Poster: ₹4,000

4. B-HIVE Grassroots & Frugal Innovation Awards
Award Categories	Who Can Apply	Recognition & Opportunities
Best Innovation Award	Startups & early-stage ventures Students (UG/PG/PhD) MSMEs & industry innovators Social enterprises & NGOs Grassroots/community innovators Incubated ventures & TBIs (technology Business Incubators)	Recognition during the conference. Evaluation by distinguished jury (industry leaders, investors, domain experts) Opportunities for mentorship & incubation Shortlisting for pilot collaboration Potential investors connect (seed/angel) Feature in conference highlights
Emerging Innovator Award
Grassroots Innovator Award
Women Innovator Award
Social Impact Innovation Award
Frugal Tech Excellence Award
Sustainability & Circular Innovation Award

Note:

• The B-HIVE Grassroots & Frugal Innovation Awards are open exclusively to registered Innovation Showcase Exhibitors who submit their nominations during the registration process.
• Participants may nominate their innovation for up to two award categories at no additional registration fees. The jury’s decision will be final and binding.

Conference Registration Fee

For Individual

Category	India	Abroad	Coverage
Presenters from Industry / Corporate / Startup / Govt / PSU	₹ 5,000	$ 200	Access to all sessions, including the pre-conference workshop Presentation slot (paper or poster, as applicable) Conference kit, certificates, and complimentary lunches, dinner, and tea/coffee Complimentary Chilika Lake / Puri visit
Presenters from NGO, Incubatee	₹ 3,000	$ 100
Faculty & Post-Doctoral Researchers – Presenter	Early bird: ₹ 3,000 Regular: ₹ 4,000	$ 100
Research Scholars & Students – Presenter	Early bird: ₹ 1,500 Regular: ₹ 2,000	$ 100
Poster Presentation (Limited Slots available)	Early bird: ₹ 1,500 Regular: ₹ 2,000	$ 100	Poster slot; access to all sessions; conference kit; lunches, dinner, tea/coffee; and certificates.
Participation (no presentation)	₹1,500	$ 100	Access to all sessions; conference kit; lunches, dinner, tea/coffee; and certificates.

 

For Innovation Showcase Exhibitors (Individual/ Group/ Institutional)

Scope: Prototype Demonstration (High-Fidelity); Products Demonstrating Grassroots and Frugal Innovations in practice etc.  Exhibitors in this category may apply for the B-HIVE Innovation Awards.

Who Can participate	Registration Fees	Coverage
Startups & Early-Stage Entrepreneurs; Incubated Ventures & TBIs (Technology Business Incubators); MSMEs & Industry Innovators; Social Enterprises & Impact Innovators Student Innovators & Research Teams Grassroots Innovators & Community-Based Solution Developers	Type 1: India Early Bird: ₹10,000 Regular: ₹15,000 Abroad Early Bird: $300 Regular: $350	Registration-cum-Conference Kit (Maximum two per registration) Kiosks (8’X 8’) with one table, chair and banner provision Complimentary Chilika Lake / Puri visit
Startups & Early-Stage Entrepreneurs; Incubated Ventures Student Innovators & Research Teams Grassroots Innovators & Community-Based Solution Developers	Type 2: India Early Bird: ₹3,000 Regular: ₹5,000 Abroad Early Bird: $150 Regular: $200	Registration-cum-Conference Kit (Maximum two per registration) Table, chair and banner provision Complimentary Chilika Lake / Puri visit

The registration fee includes 18% GST and provides participation on all days of the conference. Birla Global University will facilitate lodging arrangements for all the conference participants on a payment basis during the conference dates in select hotels in Bhubaneswar if a request is received.

Committees

Program Committee

Chief Patrons

• Prof. Kulbhushan Balooni, Vice Chancellor, Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, India
• Prof. S. P. Raj, Center Director – Earl V. Snyder Innovation Management Center, Syracuse University, USA
• Prof. Dhruba Kumar Gautam, Vice Chancellor, Mid-West University, Surkhet, Nepal

Patrons

• Prof. B. K. Das, Registrar, Birla Global University
• Prof. Shobhakhar Kandel, Registrar, Mid-West University
• Prof P. Nayak, Dean, Birla School of Management, Birla Global University
• Prof. Archana Choudhary, Dean R&D, Birla Global University
• Dr. Sanjay Kr Kuanar, Dean, Birla School of Engineering & Technology, Birla Global University
• Yadu Prasad Gyawali, Executive Director, Directorate of International Relations, Mid-West University, Nepal

 

Organizing committee

Conference Chair: 

• Dr. Suvendu Kr Pratihari, Birla Global University

Conference Conveners

• Dr. Vivek Mishra, Birla Global University
• Dr.  Indrajeet Kumar, Birla Global University
• Dr. Parimal Kumar, Birla Global University
• Dr. Purnendu Kumar Patra, Birla Global University
• Dr. Piyush Gupta, Birla Global University
• Dr. Tasneem Ahmad, Birla Global University

Invited Speakers

Refer to the Conference Website: 

• Grassroots & Frugal Innovation in Emerging Economies

Publication

Refer to the Conference Website for Preconference Proceeding Updates and Opportunities for Publishing reputed Journals from Emerald, Springer, Taylor & Francis

Grassroots & Frugal Innovation in Emerging Economies

Venue

Venue: Birla Global University, IDCO Plot No. 02, Institutional Area, Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar, PIN: 751030, Odisha, India

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to ...

intl.conference@bgu.ac.in/ suvendu.pratihari@bgu.ac.in

Tel: +91 674-7103001-10; https://gfi.bgu.ac.in/

Sponsors

Refer to the Conference Website for Updates...