Have an idea that could overcome a global health challenge? Send a proposal to The Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative!

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its funding partners in the Grand Challenges family of grant programs invite you to apply for four new grant opportunities:

1) Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to encourage innovative and unconventional global health and development solutions, is now accepting grant proposals for its latest application round. Applicants can be at any experience level; in any discipline; and from any organization, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies.

Proposals are being accepted online until November 12, 2013 on the following topics:

• Innovations in Feedback & Accountability Systems for Agricultural Development
• Inciting Healthy Behaviors: nudge, leapfrog, disrupt, reach
• Novel Enabling Tools and Models Supporting the Development of Interventions for Severe Diarrhea and Enteric Dysfunction
• Develop the Next Generation of Condom
• The "One Health" Concept: Bringing Together Human and Animal Health

Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million. Full descriptions of the new topics and application instructions are available at: www.grandchallenges.org/explorations.

2) Achieving Healthy Growth through Agriculture and Nutrition, the first program launched through the Grand Challenges India partnership, is now accepting applications. This program joins others within the Grand Challenges family of grant programs supported by the Gates Foundation and its partners. It seeks a comprehensive set of approaches - spanning innovation in  nutrition and agriculture and social innovation - to 1) reduce the high incidence of low birth weight, early stunting, and wasting in Indian children less than 2 years of age and 2) prevent undernutrition in women of reproductive age and in children from 0-2 years of age.

The application deadline is October 31, 2013. Details on how to apply for a grant can be found at http://www.grandchallenges.org/GrantOpportunities/Pages/GCIndia_healthygrowth.aspx.

3) Records for Life: A Design Contest that can Save Lives. This new grant opportunity seeks individuals or teams to re-examine the current child health record and design new ways to accurately track vaccine doses, increase ease of interpretation and use, and incite behavior change to make the record a valued asset for health professionals and families alike.

The application deadline is October 31, 2013. Details on how to apply for a grant can be found at http://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/General-Information/Grant-Opportunities/Records-for-Life-RFP.

4) This October researchers are invited to attend Advancing Vaccines in the Genomic Era, a meeting held as part of the Keystone Symposia Global Health Series supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The meeting will be held October 31 - November 4, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More information can be found at http://www.keystonesymposia.org/13T1.

The Grand Challenges team looks forward to receiving innovative ideas from around the world and from all disciplines, so if you have a great idea, please apply. And if you know someone else who may have a great idea, share the message!

Thank you for your commitment to solving the world's greatest health and development challenges.

~The Grand Challenges Team

DTRA Request for Proposals: Disease Surveillance

The following information is taken from a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The full text can be found here: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DTRA/DTRA01/HDTRA1-14-CHEM-BIO-BAA/listing.html. For a list of proposal topics, visit the link above and scroll to Attachment 9 on the right hand side of the page. Please note that this call ends on Wednesday, March 20th.

Synopsis:

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION
The purpose of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is to solicit proposals for the Chemical and Biological Technologies Department Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-FY2016 Program Build

Scope:

This solicitation is an extramural endeavor focused on seeking optimum approaches to meet technology objectives within the following areas: Diagnostics, Detection, and Disease Surveillance, Physical Science and Technology, Translational Medical, Advanced and Emerging Threats, and Information Systems Capability.

Purpose:

The purpose of this BAA is to solicit research proposals for Chemical and Biological Defense Program, DTRA requirements for the Chemical / Biological Technologies Department BAA for the FY2014-2016 program.

The Chemical / Biological Technologies Department (CB), in its continuing mission, seeking new and innovative ideas for experimental and theoretical development of technologies to fill DoD requirements for chemical and biological defense. The goal is to identify and select science and technology projects that can be transitioned to joint acquisition programs. Proposals may only address the current topics presented in Attachment 9 of this solicitation.

Solicitation Approach and Overview:

This BAA remains effective for proposal selection for three years from the initial date of issuance with the ability to award contracts for four years. Multiple calls for proposals may occur in conjunction with this BAA. The topics and milestones (Attachment 9) published in the initial issuance are firm. In the future, ongoing, new or emerging requirements may necessitate amendment of the BAA to include new or different topics. At any time when new topics are added, Attachment 9 will be amended to incorporate new topics and milestones associated the time period for submissions. These amendments are expected periodically throughout the effect date of the BAA.

Proposals will be accepted and considered that combine Basic Research with Applied Research, Applied Research, and/or Advanced Technology Development as specified in each topic. This BAA will not consider Advanced Component Development and Prototypes under Section 819 of Public Law 111-84. However, offerors may propose efforts necessary to evaluate integrated advanced development to expedite technology transition from the laboratory to operational use under a final option and limited to a period of one year while a new competitive effort can be awarded. Depending on the nature of requirements and/or available funding, each of these research categories may or may not be included in the most current List of Topics. Attachment 9 may be amended to add new topics throughout the requirement period. Each subsequent amended Attachment 9 requesting submissions for new topics will incorporate new milestones specific to those topics.

The Government encourages proposals that span a wide spectrum of possible technical and business solutions in response to the specific technology topics stated in Attachment 9. The Government reserves the right to award any combination of approaches which offer the best overall value to the Government, and to oversee any and all processes and approaches once ongoing.

A full range of flexible acquisition related statutory authority arrangements available to DTRA are possible results from this announcement, including but not limited to, Contracts, Task Orders, and Other Transaction Agreements (OTA). The Government does not intend to award grants or Cooperative agreements under this solicitation. Each of these procurement instruments offers different advantages, liabilities and responsibilities for the Government. Except for OTAs, the Government actions under this BAA shall adhere to the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).

All questions (administrative or technical) related to this BAA must be e-mailed to CB-FY14-16BAA@dtra.mil.

Full text can be found here: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DTRA/DTRA01/HDTRA1-14-CHEM-BIO-BAA/listing.html

BioSense 2.0 FOA - Update!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced important amendments to the BioSense 2.0 funding opportunity, "BioSense 2.0: Building State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Surveillance Capacity to Enhance Regional and National All-Hazards Public Health Situation Awareness"on June 14, 2012. Thanks to newly available funds, the funding capacity of the FOA has increased. Please find a detailed description of the changes below.


The amendment involved three main issues: 
1. Increased funding - approximate current fiscal year funding: $7,000,000
2. Increased number of grantees - approximate number of awards: up to 35
3. Changed anticipated award date - September 1, 2012


These changes have not had any effect on the application deadline date which remains June 26, 2012 at 5:00 PM EDT. 


Learn more about this funding opportunity by downloading the updated appellation package found here: http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/packages/oppCDC-RFA-OE12-1202-cfda93.283-cidOSELS-NR.pdf

The instructions for applying for this grant opportunity have also changed.  You can download the new instructions here: http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/oppCDC-RFA-OE12-1202-cfda93.283-cidOSELS-NR-instructions.doc

Grant Opportunity: BioSense 2.0 Situation Awareness and Syndromic Surveillance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a funding opportunity entitled "BioSense 2.0: Building State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Surveillance Capacity to Enhance Regional and National All-Hazards Public Health Situation Awareness" on May 11, 2012. Eligible applicants include state governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations.

The purpose of this program is to assist state, local, tribal and territorial health authorities to implement public health situation awareness and syndromic surveillance utilizing BioSense 2.0. Some specific goals include promoting timely exchange of health-related information between providers and public health authorities; facilitating timely information sharing among state, local, tribal, and territorial levels; and promoting improvement of the science, analytic and workforce practice for public health surveillance at the state, local, tribal, and territorial levels.

Through this grant, the CDC will award $100,000 - $300,000 up to 25 recipients. The anticipated award date is August 1, 2012.

The application deadline for this grant opportunity is June 26, 2012 5:00 PM U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

For more information about this funding opportunity and for the full announcements and application, visit http://www.grants.gov/search/synopsis.do;jsessionid=XpfBPyyNs1h8jnrQK4y9LGlyVRv1WnyY6KtLTNyySb8H57S3zfxP!884034953.

BioSense Program Challenge Grant LOI Due 1/13/12

The deadline to submit letters of intent (LOI) for the BioSense Program Challenge Grant is this Friday, January 13th. You may find more information about this project, eligibility, and specific requirements for the LOI by reading the information below taken form the BioSense Community Forum or by reading the pdf document BioSense 2.0: Challenge Grant Opportunity Announcement and Call for Letters of Intent.

The announcement and call for LOI outlines the instructions for the letters of intent as well as the letter template. Using the template provided, the letters should be 1 to 2 pages and include the following information:

1. Barrier or challenge being addressed; 

2. Desired outcomes; 

3. Project approach; 

4. Estimated amount of funding requested; and

5. Period of time required to complete project.

Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your syndromic surveillance capabilities!

The following is the December 22, 2011 BioSense Community Forum posting found here. 

Last week, the BioSense Redesign team announced a new Challenge Grant opportunity for the public health community.  In this section, we will share information about the application and review process, and provide updates on an ongoing basis.  

Letter of Intent review and evaluation

The first step in the application process is to submit a Letter of Intent.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)will evaluate the letters of intent to ensure alignment with BioSense Program priorities.  Notification will be provided to all sites and jurisdictions that submit letters of intent. 

Applicants will receive 1 of 3 types of notification:

1)      Invitation to submit a full grant application

2)      Invitation to submit a full grant application with additional guidance to refine project

3)      Rejection notice

Full grant application review and evaluation

Only those applicants who receive an invitation to submit a full grant application are eligible to apply.  Each grant application will be reviewed by 2 independent reviewers and scored against the evaluation criteria provided in the grant application instructions.

Significant differences between scores will be discussed and reconciled at a review meeting.

Final adjusted scores will be produced and award decisions will be made.

TIMELINE

• Challenge Grant Opportunity Announcement and Call for Letters of Intent posted: December 14, 2011
• Letters of Intent due: January 13, 2012
• Letter of Intent review period: January 13, 2012 - February 3, 2012
• Notifications sent to all sites and jurisdictions submitting Letters of Intent: February 6, 2012
• Period for full Grant Applications closes: March 2, 2012
• Grant award decisions: March 30, 2012
• Grant project period ends: no later than March 30, 2013.

More Information

More information about the BioSense Program and BioSense 2.0 is available at: www.biosenseredesign.org or submit questions to info@biosen.se

BioSense 2.0: Challenge Grant Opportunity

On behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RTI has released an announcement detailing the BioSense Challenge Grant Opportunity. 

The BioSense Program plans to award 10 grants ranging in value from $5,000 to $25,000 through RTI International. RTI has a contract with CDC (contract number GS10F0097L) to facilitate the redesign of the BioSense application and will administer the Challenge Grant award process.

You may find more information about this opportunity by viewing the BioSense 2.0: Challenge Grant Opportunity and Call for Letters of Intent PDF document. 

Estimated Key Dates

·         Challenge Grant Opportunity Announcement and Call for Letters of Intent posted: December 14, 2011

·         Period for submitting Letters of Intent: December 14, 2011 - January 13, 2012

·         Letter of Intent review period: January 13, 2012 - February 3, 2012

·         Period for full Grant Applications closes: March 2, 2012

·         Grant award decisions: March 30, 2012

·         Grant project period ends: no later than March 30, 2013.

More Information

More information about the BioSense Program and BioSense 2.0 is available at: www.biosenseredesign.org or submit questions to info@biosen.se