Grand Challenges Canada

Published purpose

This project aims to improve the health of people in developing countries by supporting the introduction of health and financial innovations in developing countries. The project supports eligible researchers and scientists from Canada and the developing world to implement their proven innovations where people suffer disproportionately from poor health. The project aims to implement low-tech, low-cost innovations that have the potential to be disseminated widely and successfully, and that use novel approaches to increase the delivery and demand of local health services. The project also aims to explore, test, and validate new financial mechanisms to encourage greater innovation and improved health outcomes. Innovative financing mechanisms include approaches whereby recipient countries or organizations receive financial support based on the fulfillment of specific conditions, such as the improvement of the health of mothers and children. Project activities include: (1) launching a call for proposals to Canadian and developing-country researchers and scientists for the scale-up of health innovations in low- and middle-income countries; (2) selecting proposals to scale-up eligible and proven health innovations; and, (3) launching a call for proposals to international organizations with expertise in innovative financing mechanisms to present concrete models with potential for successful implementation in low- and middle-income countries for testing and validation. Grand Challenges Canada is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit organization launched in 2010 that supports the implementation of the Government of Canada's Development Innovation Fund. The Fund was established to support innovators in Canada and the developing world to address and solve difficult challenges faced in health across the world.