Request for Proposals Announcement

Grand Challenges Canada announces Stars in Global Health Request for Proposals. This unique program enables innovators in low- and lower-middle-income countries and Canada to develop their bold idea with big impact to improve global health conditions.

Awards are initially valued at $100,000 CAD for up to 12-18 months to demonstrate proof of concept of the idea.  Upon successful review of proposals at 12-18 months after the initial award is granted, scale-up grants of up to $1 million CAD with potential linkages to private sector investments may be awarded.

The deadline for proposals is September 5, 2012 3:00 p.m. EDT. 

Previous examples have included:

•A low-cost prosthetic knee that has the potential to be mass-produced and distributed to amputees in the developing world.
•An inexpensive water filter made from the modified protein (keratin) in poultry feathers to remove arsenic from drinking water in India.
•A $1000 digital X-ray detector to cost-effectively, accurately and rapidly detect tuberculosis (TB) in underserved populations.

Proposals must include a two-minute video explaining the target global health problem, the proposed solution, and why it is a creative, bold and innovative approach.  The purpose of the video is to engage the public in global health and demonstrate the creativity of innovators.  These videos will be posted on the Grand Challenges Canada website for public viewing and comment. 

For more information about the Stars in Global Health Request for Proposals and eligibility criteria, please click HERE

Grand Challenges Canada is a unique and independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people in developing countries by integrating scientific, technological, business and social innovation. Grand Challenges Canada is funded by the Government of Canada through the Development Innovation Fund announced in the 2008 Federal Budget. Grand Challenges Canada works with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and other global health foundations and organizations to find sustainable long-term solutions to the most pressing health challenges. Grand Challenges Canada is hosted at the Sandra Rotman Centre.

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For further information, please visit our website at www.grandchallenges.ca.