The Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative is focused on discovering and developing new ideas to fight major global health challenges as identified by experts worldwide. By engaging creative minds across scientific disciplines, Grand Challenges in Global Health promotes deliverable solutions that could lead to breakthrough advances for those in the developing world.

$30 Million in Grants Now Available for New Diagnostics for the Developing World

Lack of convenient and accurate diagnostics in the developing world means that many people with significant health risks and illnesses are not properly diagnosed or they receive inappropriate treatment.

The Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative is seeking innovative ideas for diagnostics in the developing world. $30 million in funding is available for the creation of technologies and components that can be used to assess patients at the point of care in a variety of settings.

Letters of inquiry will be accepted December 1, 2009 through February 16, 2010.

The goal of this new grant initiative is to develop common features and standards that will result in diagnostic devices that are lower cost, easier to use, more thoroughly disseminated and more appropriate for health care applications in resource-poor settings. The ability to assess multiple pathogens and health conditions at the point-of-care will result in a significant increase in access to needed health care and hence better outcomes for those in the developing world.