Got a Great Idea? Submit Yours to Grand Challenges Explorations | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that it is accepting applications for Round 9 of its Grand Challenges Explorations initiative, a USD$100 million grant initiative encouraging innovation in global health and development research. Anyone – students, scientists, entrepreneurs - with a transformative idea is invited to submit an easy, online, two-page application. Proposals are being accepted at www.grandchallenges.org/explorations through May 15, 2012.  

Grand Challenges Explorations is excited to announce a new kind of topic this round, which challenges people to find new ways to tell the story of development aid and the powerful impact it can have around the world. Because we know that aid works, Grand Challenges Explorations is partnering with Cannes Lions to uncover new ways to find and distribute stories that will inspire people to support development aid.

Topics for Grand Challenges Explorations Round 9:

  • Aid is Working. Tell the World (new!) – in partnership with Cannes Lions
  • New Approaches for the Interrogation of Anti-malarial Compounds (new!)
  • Protect Crop Plants From Biotic Stresses From Field to Market
  • Design New Approaches to Optimize Immunization Systems
  • Explore New Solutions for Global Health Priority Areas
“We are on the hunt for dynamic, transformative ideas that address our greatest health and development challenges, including protecting crops from pests and pathogens and discovering anti-malarial compounds for the development of next generation malaria drugs,” said Chris Wilson, Director of Global Health Discovery at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “This type of bold innovation has the potential to make a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of people living in the world’s poorest countries.”

The Gates Foundation and an independent group of reviewers will select the most innovative proposals, and grants will be awarded within approximately four months from the proposal submission deadline. Initial grants will be USD$100,000 each. Projects demonstrating potential will have the opportunity to receive additional funding up to USD$1 million.