Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Global Call to Action
Goals & Objectives
The Grand Challenges Global Call to Action by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aims to drive innovation to solve pressing global health and development issues, with a focus on empowering local innovators and institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative seeks to address inequities by supporting research that can lead to breakthroughs in areas like infectious diseases, women's health, and climate resilience.
Focused Areas & Countries
The initiative targets a global scale, with a special emphasis on LMICs. Key areas include global health, such as infectious disease prevention and treatment, women's health, and the ethical use of AI in development.
Strategy
The strategy includes issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) to engage a wide range of innovators. This involves fostering locally led R&D and building a global network of researchers and institutions. The initiative promotes collaboration across sectors and geographies to maximize the impact of funded projects.
Funding Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include researchers, institutions, and organizations from both high-income and low- and middle-income countries, with a strong focus on local leadership in LMICs.
Co-Funding Requirements
While the specifics on matching funds requirements are not explicitly mentioned, partnerships and co-funding are often part of the collaborative approach encouraged by the foundation.
Specialized Eligibility Requirements
Proposals are encouraged to address equity and ethical considerations, particularly in the use of emerging technologies like AI. The foundation emphasizes projects that are led by or involve significant input from local communities.
Call for Proposals Requirements
Proposals must align with the specific focus areas identified in each RFP. They should demonstrate innovation, potential impact, and scalability. The foundation seeks proposals that incorporate local knowledge and expertise, ensuring that solutions are culturally and contextually appropriate.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with the initiative's goals, the innovative nature of the proposed solution, feasibility, and potential for impact. Special attention is given to the inclusion of ethical considerations and equitable benefits.
Other Requirements
The Gates Foundation emphasizes the importance of ethical and responsible research practices, especially concerning the use of AI and data. Applicants may need to demonstrate compliance with these ethical standards in their proposals.
Listed Initiatives & Application Open Dates
Current initiatives include calls for proposals in AI for health, women's health, and other critical global health issues. Specific application deadlines and details are announced periodically through the foundation's platforms.
Past Awarded Projects
Over the past two decades, the Grand Challenges initiative has funded a wide array of projects, supporting innovations in fields such as infectious disease control, maternal and child health, and climate resilience. Specific projects have included the development of new health technologies, AI platforms for LMICs, and local vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
Project Examples
The initiative has supported projects on vaccine development, gene editing for malaria control, and AI applications in healthcare. Notable projects include the development of mRNA vaccine technology in Senegal and South Africa, and AI platforms in LMICs.
Awardees
Institutions like the University of Cape Town, the University of Toronto, and organizations such as the African Academy of Sciences have received funding.
Contact Information
Specific contacts for project leaders can be accessed through the Grand Challenges website or the associated institutions’ research offices​