Gates Foundation: Global Grand Challenges

Sponsor’s Website

Visit the Gates Foundation website for more information on Global Grand Challenges.

Internal Contacts

Katie Harriman: katie.harriman@carleton.ca
Heloise Emdon: HeloiseEmdon@cunet.carleton.ca

Potential applicants are also encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.

Deadlines

Dates are anticipated and subject to change.

Overview

Grand Challenges is seeking innovative approaches to improve multiplex assays that can simultaneously measure biomarkers of micronutrient status, infection and inflammation. The objective is to support the development of affordable, scalable and accurate technologies that can strengthen population-level nutrition and health surveillance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Micronutrient deficiencies continue to contribute to poor health outcomes worldwide, particularly among women of reproductive age, young children and older adults. While progress has been made in addressing deficiencies such as iodine and vitamin A, challenges remain in accurately assessing multiple micronutrients alongside indicators of infection and inflammation. Grand Challenges is seeking solutions that advance multiplex testing platforms and support improved monitoring of nutritional status across populations.

Proposed projects should aim to:

• Simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers of micronutrient status, infection and inflammation.
• Improve assay performance, including sensitivity, specificity, precision and accuracy.
• Reduce costs and sample volume requirements.
• Support scalable implementation for population health surveillance.
• Expand assessment of micronutrients that are currently difficult or costly to measure.

Value and Duration

Applicants may propose one of two project scopes:

• Alternative A (Minimum Scope): Up to $200,000 USD for projects of up to 12 months.
• Alternative B (Optimistic Scope): Up to $800,000 USD for projects of up to 24 months.

Indirect costs should be included in the budget, up to a maximum of 15%.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Academic institutions
• Non-profit organizations
• For-profit companies
• Government agencies
• International organizations

Proposals that fall outside the thematic focus of the call, offer only incremental improvements, are solely commercialization-focused, constitute basic research without translational relevance, or target excluded geographies or populations will not be considered for funding.

Information Session

Grand Challenges will host an applicant webinar to provide an overview of the funding opportunity and answer questions.

Date: August 11, 2026
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.

To attend, applicants must register and are encouraged to submit questions in advance. A recording will be posted on the Challenge webpage following the event for those unable to attend live.

Submitting Your Application

1. Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch. Consult the user’s manual for guidance.
2. Submit an external application to the Gates Foundation through their online portal.