Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Grand Challenges
Event details
| Date | 28.04.2026 |
| Category | Call for proposal |
Aim: The Grand Challenges is a family of initiatives launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation with a goal of fostering innovation to address key global health and development priorities. This spring, they have released 5 new challenges open to academic institutions:
How to Apply: Application instructions can be found within each RFP page linked above. Each submission should include a proposal as well as a budget table and budget narrative. Budgets should include 15% indirect costs. No confidential or propriety material should be included in the submission. Upon registration, applicants may be asked to provide information about the tax status of their organization; please contact the Research Office for assistance.
Deadline: 28 April 2026 (11:30 am PT)
Further information
- Innovations in Cost-Disruptive Tools for Diagnosis and Screening: Develop sub-$1 scalable diagnostics suitable for low-resource settings. Funding tiers: $300K (24 m) or $500K (24 m) or $1M (36 m). Proposals led by or collaborating with women and/or researchers at institutions based in LMICs encouraged.
- Novel Interventions Targeting Placental and Gut Inflammation: Develop interventions targeting gut–placenta inflammation and oxidative stress. Funding tiers: $400K (18 m) or $750K (24 m) or $1M (30 m). Collaboration with Global South institutions strongly encouraged.
- Addressing Physiological Barriers to Micronutrient Absorption: Overcome biological constraints limiting micronutrient absorption Funding of $250K over 18 m. Multi stakeholder collaborations are encouraged.
- Cost-Disrupting Innovations to Reduce the Cost of RUTF: Achieve ≥30% reduction in ex-factory RUTF cost in SSA & South Asia. Funding tiers: $500K (18 m) or $1.5M (36 m). LMIC-led or LMIC-inclusive consortia strongly encouraged.
- Breakthrough Innovations to Reduce SAM Treatment Cost: Achieve 20–30%+ reduction in SAM treatment cost per child. Funding tiers: $500K (18 m) or $1.5M (36 m)LMIC-led or LMIC-inclusive consortia strongly encouraged.
How to Apply: Application instructions can be found within each RFP page linked above. Each submission should include a proposal as well as a budget table and budget narrative. Budgets should include 15% indirect costs. No confidential or propriety material should be included in the submission. Upon registration, applicants may be asked to provide information about the tax status of their organization; please contact the Research Office for assistance.
Deadline: 28 April 2026 (11:30 am PT)
Further information
- More information about the programs is available here
- For any other questions, please contact the Research Office
Practical information
- General public
- Free