Solving global health and development problems for those most in need

Two new Grand Challenges (GC) requests for proposals (RFPs):

Accelerating the Development of Innovative, Exceptionally Low-Cost Maternal and Child Nutrient Ingredients and Products. Despite decades of evidence demonstrating the importance of nutrition interventions, many solutions are inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries due to high costs. We invite innovators from nutrition, biotechnology, food technology, pharmaceuticals, and beyond to submit proposals to reduce the cost of calcium, choline, or DHA by at least half or develop low-cost and/or advanced micronutrient supplement products.

Accelerating Innovation in Vaginal Formulations in Support of Women's Health. Local delivery of drugs into the vagina offers several clear potential advantages over other delivery methods, but it remains underutilized. Through this RFP, the partners seek applications that either contribute to the development of vaginal formulations that promote optimal drug delivery or identify the specific features of a vaginally administered product that would most appeal to women. This challenge is a collaboration among members of global Grand Challenges network, including the Gates Foundation, GC-Africa (managed by the Science for Africa Foundation), GC-Brazil (Ministry of Health), GC-India (Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology), and GC-South Africa (South African Medical Research Council).

Applications for both RFPs are due no later than December 16, 2025.

Webinars provide more information and answer questions about both RFPs. You can sign up for the sessions here:

Accelerating the Development of Innovative, Exceptionally Low-Cost Maternal and Child Nutrient Ingredients and Products: November 12, 2025, 07:00-8:00 AM Pacific Time - webinar link / submit a question

Accelerating Innovation in Vaginal Formulations in Support of Women's Health:

November 20, 2025, 06:00-7:00 AM Pacific Time - webinar link / submit a question

Like all Grand Challenges projects over 20-plus years, the newly announced RFPs will foster innovation to address urgent global priorities. 

Summaries of selected Grand Challenges grants, explore an interactive world map of projects across the Grand Challenges network, and if you haven't, sign up on the Grand Challenges website to receive email updates like this one.

03.11.2025