Donor Funding

**Important note**: This request for proposals (RFP) is jointly launched by several Grand Challenges funding partners, including Grand Challenges Africa (Science for Africa Foundation), Grand Challenges Brazil (Brazilian Ministry of Health and the National Council on Research), Grand Challenges India (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), and Grand Challenges South Africa (South African Medical Research Council). Each RFP may differ in its geographic focus, topic areas, and funding levels. Please review the eligibility criteria and specific requirements for each of the following RFP carefully: South Africa, (Other) African Countries, Brazil, India.

Generally speaking, this RFP addresses the following challenge:

“We are soliciting applications that contribute to development of vaginal formulations that promote optimal drug delivery within the vaginal compartment while positively supporting the vaginal milieu, and that also possess beneficial effects, even if unrelated to the API intended effect, that a user might consider desirable, such as enhancement of sexual pleasure. We anticipate identifying product-agnostic features that promote vaginal health and that broadly appeal to women to advance product development and formulations for women’s health. We welcome innovations at any stage of development that meet the scope of this call.

Applicants may apply to address one or more of the following objectives of this challenge:

1. Leverage biology for vaginally administered products: In this objective, we seek: 1) innovative formulations and delivery approaches that leverage the biology of the vaginal microenvironment to support development of novel delivery technologies and that have high potential for scalable, low-cost manufacturing options; and 2) novel components that could be incorporated into and improve existing formulations (e.g. films, tablets/inserts) that would promote maintenance of or transition to an optimal vaginal microbiome and/or promote other benefit to the vaginal mucosal epithelium. Specifically, we seek to assess and de-risk novel approaches to vaginal delivery that can leverage and support features of the vaginal milieu including mucus, host cells and microbes for drug delivery and as such we anticipate proposals including evaluation of the impact of these novel approaches or components on changes in the microbiome and vaginal host components (cells/cytokines, mucins, glycans,
lectins, etc.).

2. Define characteristics of an ideal vaginal product: In this objective, we seek to support qualitative studies aimed at identifying and understanding specific features of a vaginally administered product that would most appeal to women such that many women, especially those of reproductive age in LMICs, would seek to use such a product (for example, ‘what would you hope to achieve when using this product in your vagina?’). We are particularly interested in defining ancillary benefits (such as odor control, sexual enhancement, etc.) that could be derived from a vaginally delivered product that would likely not be supported by other routes of administration, as well as identifying major hurdles that may prevent a woman from seeking out or preferring a vaginal product. We acknowledge that there may be regional, cultural, demographic or other preference differences, and are seeking to identify desires or barriers that are commonly expressed by women across these demographic differences. Applicants may propose methods to prioritize preferences such that the vaginal product developed can benefit as many women as possible. In sum, we aim to gather insights into preferred and achievable characteristics that would transform vaginal products from ‘tolerable’ to ‘desirable’.”

In India, the RFP is being managed through Grand Challenges India – Biotechnology Industry Research (GCI-BIRAC).

To apply, there are various portals, depending on your organization’s geographic location:

African researchers located in South Africa should apply through the corresponding country-specific Grand Challenges portal; African researchers located in all other African countries should apply through the Grand Challenges Africa portal; Brazilian researchers located in Brazilian organizations should apply through the Grand Challenges Brazil portal; and Indian researchers located in Indian organizations should apply through the Grand Challenges India portal. Researchers outside of these geographies should apply through the Gates Foundation Grand Challenges portal.

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Check out more on the Grand Challenges initiatives here: Grand Challenges website. For any questions/inquiry pertaining to your application, contact: grandchallenges@gatesfoundation.org. See the latest FAQ related to this RFP, available here.

If you are planning to apply to this RFP, Gates will be hosting a dedicated webinar on November 20, from 6:00 to 7:00 AM Pacific Time. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the RFP technical details and an opportunity to have your questions answered. To participate in the webinar, please register and submit your questions in advance. If you cannot attend live, the webinar will be recorded and available on this challenge page after the session.

Note on budgeting your project: “Exploratory projects with shorter durations/lower budgets that focus on high-risk, innovative areas are strongly encouraged and will be given priority. Budgets should be commensurate with the scope of work proposed and in line with allowable costs of the targeted funding organization for which the applicant is eligible. Indirect costs should be included in the budget and should not exceed 10-15% of the total award (subject to the Gates Foundation’s indirect cost policy).”

Projects are estimated to start by September 2026, with successful applicants being notified of decisions by May 2026.

General Eligibility Overview:

“This initiative is open to research institutes, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, international organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions. Please note that all applicants will be expected to comply with the Foundation’s global access clause. We encourage groups to build upon existing and/or complimentary projects/studies/trials and to collaborate with other institutions. We particularly encourage applications from projects led by women and/or researchers at institutions based in LMICs and/or involving collaboration with women-led or LMIC-based organizations. Only individuals who are applying through a legally recognized corporate entity are eligible.”

N.B.: “Upon registration applicants must provide information about the tax status of their organization as different terms and conditions may apply. You should confirm your organization’s tax status with the appropriate advisor or entity within your organization such as your grants or contracts department, finance, or office of sponsored research. The foundation may request additional information regarding your tax status.” 

It is suggested to review the Gates Foundation’s Standard RFP Terms and Conditions to confirm your organization’s eligibility.

Country/Geography-specific eligibility consideration/conditions:

Brazil: Grand Challenges Brazil will review proposals submitted by Brazilian organizations through the link on this webpage. Proposals selected to receive financial support from the Brazilian Ministry of Health / GC Brazil must be led by researchers linked to non-profit Science, Technology and Innovation Institutions (Instituição Científica, Tecnológica e de Inovação – ICT), registered in Brazil.