Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Grant Opportunity

[Virtual Post Bioclues]

------ 

Dear Colleague, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda are currently responding to the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in recorded history, which the World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus, an Orthoebolavirus species for which no licensed vaccine, approved therapeutic, or validated rapid diagnostic test currently exists. In response, Grand Challenges is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP), "Innovations in Decentralized Pan-Orthoebolavirus Diagnostics". This RFP seeks specific solutions to the diagnostic gaps driving ongoing transmission in this outbreak and limiting readiness for the next. Current diagnostics for Orthoebolaviruses are highly complex. This Grand Challenge is seeking solutions that can be successfully deployed without complex laboratory infrastructure, cold chain, reliable electricity, or highly specialized laboratory technicians. We seek proposals that achieve one of the objectives below and can be deployed in settings like Ituri Province: Find signals that make tests more sensitive or more clinically useful Make testing safer and easier Deliver tests that can be used where patients first present Detect outbreaks earlier Make decentralized testing reliable, safe, and trusted Please click here for more details on this request for proposals. Given the urgency of this public health issue, applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the final submissions being accepted no later than July 31, 2026, 11:30 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time. We encourage you to share this announcement with colleagues who have relevant expertise and networks in the Orthoebolavirus or high-consequence pathogen diagnostics community who may be interested in submitting a proposal. The Grand Challenges community exists to develop solutions to urgent problems like this. Thank you for being a part of it. Sincerely, The Global Partnerships & Grand Challenges Team   Visit our Grand Challenges website gcgh.grandchallenges.org Privacy Policy www.gatesfoundation.org/privacy-policy