Grand Challenges Canada, a not-for-profit organization recently announced the “Canadian Rising Stars in Global Health” Request for Proposals (RFP) Round Two. The mission is to tap into the creativity, knowledge and skills of Canadian scientists, entrepreneurs, and social innovators to solve some of the most persistent health challenges in the developing world through integrated innovations and to support the implementation and commercialization of the solutions.
Round Two provides $100,000 in seed grants for up to 20 successful proposals. The proposals will be reviewed if the ideas are found to be robust, effective, and proven, innovators will be selected and be eligible for additional grants of up to $1 million for each proposal. A minimum of 30 percent of the scale-up budget must be spent in low and middle income countries.
There will be three rounds of “Canadian Rising Stars” for a total of $20 million. Of this amount approximately $14 million will be available for scale-up grants. Eligible applicants can include non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, and other recognized institutions. For-profits are encouraged to secure co-funding.
The deadline for proposals is September 19, 2011 and proposals must include a two minute video segment outlining the health problem and the proposed solution. For more information, email canadianrisingstars@grandchallenges.ca or go to www.grandchallenges.ca.
On July 21st, “Grand Challenges Canada” announced $20 million available in funding for proposals to tackle mental health issues in low and middle income developing countries. One of the objectives is to develop mobile and IT technologies such as telemedicine to increase access to evidence-based care.
Research proposals need to address screening services, improve the supply of effective medications, provide affordable community-based care and rehabilitation, and develop effective mental health treatments for use by non-specialists.
The award value will vary depending on the project and the $20 million will be awarded over 3 years to fund approximately 15-25 proposals. Non-profit and for-profit companies are eligible to apply and are encouraged to form multidisciplinary cross-sector teams.
Applicants can apply through a Letter of Intent (LOI) and later may be invited to support development of a full proposal. The LOI is due October 4, 2011 with the full proposal due April 11, 2012.
Go to www.grandchallenges.ca/grand-challenges/gc4-non-communicable-diseases/mentalhealth for more information, or email info@grandchallenges.ca or call (416) 673-6567.
