Grand Challenges Canada, which is funded by the Government of Canada,
has developed the Stars in Global Health program to support Bold Ideas with Big Impact
from the best and brightest talent, both in low- and middle-income
countries and in Canada, to use scientific/technical, social and
business innovation to address some of the most pressing global health
challenges.
Grand Challenges Canada seeks
bold ideas aligned with innovative social entrepreneurial approaches
that could be easily implemented in developing countries to save and
improve lives. These bold ideas could come from non-profit organizations
and for-profit organizations, as well as other recognized institutions.
The ideas may encompass development/ deployment of products and/or
services in any spectrum of global health, including drug discovery,
vaccine development, diagnostics, health and medical education, maternal
and child health, non-communicable diseases (including cancer and
mental health), health-related water and sanitation, and health-related
agriculture and nutrition.
The focus of this call is not on the organization itself, but on the
concept of social entrepreneurship in the proposal. The concept must be novel, bold, innovative, transformational and ‘outside-the-box’. Existing social entrepreneurial ideas are welcomed so long as there is a clear innovative (novel) component being introduced.
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 Grand Challenges Canada’s website for
public viewing and comment.
Awards are initially valued at $100,000 CAD for up to 12–18 months to demonstrate proof of concept of the idea.
Phase I grantees who complete a minimum of nine months of their Grand
Challenges Canada grant, complete their proof-of-concept projects and
have solutions that are ready to transition to scale will be invited to
submit Phase II – Transition to Scale proposals. The Phase II –
Transition to Scale program will require 50% matching of funds through
partnerships to be eligible for Grand Challenges Canada funding.
