Innovations in Cost-Disruptive Tools for Diagnosis and Screening

The "Innovations in Cost-Disruptive Tools for Diagnosis and Screening" grant opportunity is part of the Grand Challenges initiative funded and administered by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This initiative responds to critical global health barriers, particularly the lack of accessible, affordable, and scalable diagnostic solutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nearly half of the world’s population lacks access to essential diagnostic testing, and in the poorest regions, this figure approaches 81%. The consequences are severe—missed or delayed disease detection undermines both clinical care and public health responses. To address these systemic gaps, this challenge supports technological innovations that disrupt current cost and infrastructure models and meet operational constraints in resource-limited settings. The program targets novel diagnostic and screening technologies that can operate in decentralized, low-resource environments. Proposals must demonstrate transformative potential—defined as the ability to materially reset cost curves or radically simplify diagnostics through AI-enabled software, novel sensing mechanisms, or platform-based devices that minimize consumables. The Gates Foundation specifically encourages solutions that achieve high-throughput testing with near-zero per-test costs. These devices should be robust to heat, dust, and power interruptions, eliminate cold-chain dependency, and be operable by minimally trained personnel. The goal is to identify scalable innovations that align with the WHO’s ASSURED principles while exceeding conventional deployment limits in LMIC contexts. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that clearly identify a disease use case or priority area from the challenge’s comprehensive list, which includes tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and newborn health, anemia, enteric diseases, nutrition surveillance, and neglected tropical diseases. Proposals need not have existing disease-specific validation data but must include a feasible, milestone-based plan to adapt and validate the technology in relevant contexts. Cross-sector applications and solutions originating from non-health domains are also welcomed, as long as their adaptability pathway is clearly articulated. The award structure is tiered based on technology maturity. Proof-of-concept projects may receive up to $300,000 over 24 months, while mid-stage validations may be eligible for up to $500,000. Mature platforms may qualify for up to $1,000,000 over 36 months. The number of awards at each level is capped, and actual amounts and durations depend on proposal quality and alignment with the Foundation’s priorities. All awards must include milestone-driven plans and may cover indirect costs according to the Foundation’s cost policy. Eligible applicants include research institutes, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, academic institutions, international organizations, and government agencies. However, individuals or entities classified as individuals under U.S. tax law are not eligible. Proposals from or in collaboration with women-led teams or LMIC-based researchers are especially encouraged. All participants must adhere to the Gates Foundation’s open-access policies, participate in third-party evaluations, and demonstrate readiness to share data, reagents, and prototypes where needed. Applications open on March 17, 2026, and close on April 28, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time. A webinar will be held on March 30 to offer applicants guidance and respond to questions. While attendance is not mandatory, it is encouraged. Applications must be submitted via the official challenge page linked from the Grand Challenges website. Interested parties are advised to review all terms, FAQs, and guidelines before submission to ensure full compliance with program requirements.

Clearly justify funding level with feasible path to <$1 per test; platform-based economics and LMIC deployment are key.