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Multiplex Platforms to Assess Indicators of Micronutrient Status, Inflammation and Infectious Disease

Gates Foundation – Grand Challenges

The Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges programme is inviting proposals to develop improved, low-cost multiplex platforms for assessing micronutrient status, inflammation and infectious disease. Funding is available through two tracks: up to US$200,000 for minimum-scope projects and up to US$800,000 for more ambitious projects. Eligible applicants include legally recognised nonprofit organisations, companies, international organisations, government agencies and academic institutions worldwide, with LMIC participation particularly encouraged.

Who can apply

  • Nonprofit organisations
  • For-profit companies
  • International organisations
  • Government agencies
  • Academic institutions
  • Legally recognised corporate entities worldwide
  • Women-led organisations and projects involving women researchers are particularly encouraged
  • Institutions based in low- and middle-income countries or collaborating with LMIC institutions are particularly encouraged

Focus areas

  • Multiplex diagnostic and analytical platforms
  • Micronutrient-status assessment
  • Inflammation and infection biomarkers
  • Vitamin B1, B2, B9 and B12 assessment
  • Iron and anemia-related biomarkers
  • Low-cost population nutrition surveillance
  • Improved sensitivity, specificity and analytical range
  • Small-volume plasma and serum testing
  • Affordable diagnostic technologies for low- and middle-income countries
  • Local and regional laboratory capacity for micronutrient surveillance

Requirements

  • Applicant must apply through a legally recognised corporate entity
  • Proposal must clearly identify Alternative A or Alternative B
  • Proposed work must address the technical objectives and analytes within the official RFP
  • The approach should demonstrate scientific and technical innovation rather than incremental improvement
  • Applicants should demonstrate appropriate expertise and organisational capacity
  • Collaboration among groups with expertise in human metabolism, biomolecule characterisation and immunology is strongly encouraged
  • Solutions should have a credible pathway to affordable use in low- and middle-income reference laboratories
  • The complete technical proposal must not exceed three pages
  • A one-page budget table and narrative must also be submitted
  • Applicants should not include confidential or proprietary information they are unwilling to have shared during review

Application steps

  • Review the full RFP, Rules and Guidelines, FAQs and technical requirements
  • Decide whether the proposal will address Alternative A or Alternative B
  • Create or log into an account on the Gates Foundation application portal
  • Prepare the maximum three-page technical proposal and one-page budget table and narrative
  • Complete the applicant profile and upload the required proposal and budget documents
  • Submit through the official portal before 8 September 2026 at 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This is a highly specialised research and diagnostics opportunity, not a general health-project grant. Applicants need credible scientific, laboratory or diagnostic-development capacity and should carefully match their proposal to the technical targets in the RFP. The US$800,000 ceiling applies only to the more ambitious Alternative B scope; Alternative A is capped at US$200,000. African universities, research institutions, health-technology companies and specialised nonprofits may be competitive, particularly where they combine complementary expertise through partnerships. LMIC-led participation is encouraged, but applicants should not rely on geographic priority alone. Scientific innovation, technical capability, realistic costs and a clear pathway to affordable use in LMIC laboratories will be central to competitiveness.

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