{"id":67024,"date":"2025-11-18T15:50:51","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opportunitiesforyouth.org\/?p=67024"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:50:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:50:51","slug":"apply-now-gates-foundation-low-cost-nutrients-challenge-grand-challenges-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/?p=67024","title":{"rendered":"Apply Now: Gates Foundation Low-Cost Nutrients Challenge \u2013 Grand Challenges 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"352\" data-end=\"630\">The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, through the <strong data-start=\"401\" data-end=\"432\">Grand Challenges Initiative<\/strong>, invites innovators, organizations, and institutions worldwide to apply for a new funding opportunity aimed at transforming maternal and child nutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"632\" data-end=\"896\">This call seeks bold, scalable innovations that will dramatically reduce the cost of essential nutrient ingredients and prenatal supplements\u2014ensuring that every mother and child, regardless of where they live, can access the nutrients needed to survive and thrive.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"1203\">Malnutrition remains one of the most severe threats to maternal and child health in LMICs. Nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy and the first 1,000 days of life can lead to irreversible developmental challenges, higher mortality, reduced productivity, and long-term health issues.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1205\" data-end=\"1421\">Although proven nutrition interventions exist, high production costs and limited manufacturing capacity make many nutrient products unaffordable in vulnerable regions. The nutrients prioritized in this challenge are:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1497\">\n<li data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1438\">\n<p data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1438\"><strong data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1436\">Calcium<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1454\">\n<p data-start=\"1441\" data-end=\"1454\"><strong data-start=\"1441\" data-end=\"1452\">Choline<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1497\">\n<p data-start=\"1457\" data-end=\"1497\"><strong data-start=\"1457\" data-end=\"1495\">Omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"1677\">Despite strong global recommendations from WHO, EFSA, AAP, and other authorities, many pregnant women worldwide are unable to meet recommended intake levels due to cost barriers.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1679\" data-end=\"1682\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1729\"><strong data-start=\"1687\" data-end=\"1729\">About the Low-Cost Nutrients Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1730\" data-end=\"2008\">This initiative calls for <strong data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1784\">transformative solutions<\/strong>\u2014not incremental changes. Applicants are expected to propose innovations that reduce nutrient ingredient or product costs by <strong data-start=\"1909\" data-end=\"1925\">at least 50%<\/strong> while maintaining high standards of safety, stability, and consumer acceptability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2010\" data-end=\"2046\">Projects may target improvements in:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2183\">\n<li data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2072\">\n<p data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2072\">Raw material science<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2073\" data-end=\"2107\">\n<p data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2107\">Biotechnology and fermentation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2135\">\n<p data-start=\"2110\" data-end=\"2135\">Manufacturing processes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2136\" data-end=\"2149\">\n<p data-start=\"2138\" data-end=\"2149\">Packaging<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2150\" data-end=\"2183\">\n<p data-start=\"2152\" data-end=\"2183\">End-to-end product innovation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2282\">The goal is to create sustainable, affordable nutrition solutions suited for LMIC health systems.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2284\" data-end=\"2287\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2332\"><strong data-start=\"2292\" data-end=\"2332\">Focus Areas (Apply Under One Option)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"2334\" data-end=\"2395\"><strong data-start=\"2338\" data-end=\"2395\">Option A: Exceptionally Low-Cost Nutrient Ingredients<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2396\" data-end=\"2482\">Develop low-cost versions of calcium, choline, or DHA ingredients.<br data-start=\"2462\" data-end=\"2465\" \/><strong data-start=\"2465\" data-end=\"2482\">Requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"2666\">\n<li data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"2540\">\n<p data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2540\">\u226550% cost reduction from current lowest market prices<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2541\" data-end=\"2586\">\n<p data-start=\"2543\" data-end=\"2586\">Meet pharmacopeial standards &amp; ICH Q7 GMP<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2587\" data-end=\"2666\">\n<p data-start=\"2589\" data-end=\"2666\">Stable, allergen-free, and culturally inclusive (halal, kosher, vegetarian)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2734\"><strong data-start=\"2672\" data-end=\"2734\">Option B: Low-Cost Prenatal Supplement (UNIMMAP + Calcium)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2735\" data-end=\"2832\">Develop a prenatal supplement costing <strong data-start=\"2773\" data-end=\"2811\">less than US$2 per 180-day regimen<\/strong>.<br data-start=\"2812\" data-end=\"2815\" \/><strong data-start=\"2815\" data-end=\"2832\">Requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2833\" data-end=\"2973\">\n<li data-start=\"2833\" data-end=\"2866\">\n<p data-start=\"2835\" data-end=\"2866\">Informed by consumer research<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2867\" data-end=\"2940\">\n<p data-start=\"2869\" data-end=\"2940\">3-month real-time and 6-month accelerated stability (ICH Q1 Zone IVb)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2941\" data-end=\"2973\">\n<p data-start=\"2943\" data-end=\"2973\">Preferably WHO-GMP compliant<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"3031\"><strong data-start=\"2979\" data-end=\"3031\">Option C: Advanced Prenatal Supplement (MMSplus)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3086\">Formulate an advanced prenatal supplement including:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3087\" data-end=\"3318\">\n<li data-start=\"3087\" data-end=\"3102\">\n<p data-start=\"3089\" data-end=\"3102\">UNIMMAP MMS<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3103\" data-end=\"3121\">\n<p data-start=\"3105\" data-end=\"3121\">500 mg calcium<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3122\" data-end=\"3145\">\n<p data-start=\"3124\" data-end=\"3145\">100 mg nicotinamide<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3146\" data-end=\"3164\">\n<p data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3164\">450 mg choline<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3199\">\n<p data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3199\">200 mg DHA<br data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3180\" \/><strong data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3197\">Requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3200\" data-end=\"3227\">\n<p data-start=\"3202\" data-end=\"3227\">Flexible dosage formats<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3228\" data-end=\"3269\">\n<p data-start=\"3230\" data-end=\"3269\">Consumer-informed product development<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3270\" data-end=\"3318\">\n<p data-start=\"3272\" data-end=\"3318\">Stability demonstrated under ICH Q1 Zone IVb<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3323\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3325\" data-end=\"3346\"><strong data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3346\">Funding Levels<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_1rjym_1\">\n<div class=\"group _tableWrapper_1rjym_13 flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3740\">\n<thead data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3394\">\n<tr data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3394\">\n<th data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3356\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Option<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"3356\" data-end=\"3372\" data-col-size=\"md\">Project Scope<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3382\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Funding<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"3382\" data-end=\"3394\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Duration<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3740\">\n<tr data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3558\">\n<td data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3451\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3445\" data-end=\"3450\">A<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"3451\" data-end=\"3497\">Exceptionally low-cost nutrient ingredients<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"3497\" data-end=\"3535\">Up to <strong data-start=\"3505\" data-end=\"3519\">US$500,000<\/strong> per ingredient<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"3535\" data-end=\"3558\">Up to <strong data-start=\"3543\" data-end=\"3556\">18 months<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3644\">\n<td data-start=\"3559\" data-end=\"3567\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3561\" data-end=\"3566\">B<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"3567\" data-end=\"3598\">Low-cost prenatal supplement<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"3598\" data-end=\"3621\">Up to <strong data-start=\"3606\" data-end=\"3620\">US$200,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"3621\" data-end=\"3644\">Up to <strong data-start=\"3629\" data-end=\"3642\">12 months<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"3645\" data-end=\"3740\">\n<td data-start=\"3645\" data-end=\"3653\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><strong data-start=\"3647\" data-end=\"3652\">C<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"md\" data-start=\"3653\" data-end=\"3694\">Advanced prenatal supplement (MMSplus)<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"3694\" data-end=\"3717\">Up to <strong data-start=\"3702\" data-end=\"3716\">US$400,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"3717\" data-end=\"3740\">Up to <strong data-start=\"3725\" data-end=\"3738\">12 months<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"3742\" data-end=\"3806\">Indirect costs should not exceed <strong data-start=\"3775\" data-end=\"3785\">10\u201315%<\/strong> of the total budget.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3808\" data-end=\"3811\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3813\" data-end=\"3831\"><strong data-start=\"3816\" data-end=\"3831\">Eligibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3832\" data-end=\"3866\">The challenge is open globally to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3868\" data-end=\"4019\">\n<li data-start=\"3868\" data-end=\"3895\">\n<p data-start=\"3870\" data-end=\"3895\">Nonprofit organizations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3896\" data-end=\"3920\">\n<p data-start=\"3898\" data-end=\"3920\">For-profit companies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3921\" data-end=\"3944\">\n<p data-start=\"3923\" data-end=\"3944\">Government agencies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"3976\">\n<p data-start=\"3947\" data-end=\"3976\">International organizations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3977\" data-end=\"4019\">\n<p data-start=\"3979\" data-end=\"4019\">Universities and research institutions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4021\" data-end=\"4146\">Applicants must apply through a legally recognized corporate entity. Collaboration with LMIC partners is strongly encouraged.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4148\" data-end=\"4151\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4153\" data-end=\"4204\"><strong data-start=\"4156\" data-end=\"4204\">What Successful Proposals Should Demonstrate<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4205\" data-end=\"4237\">Successful proposals will demonstrate bold thinking, technical rigor, and a pathway to scale. Specifically, we are seeking proposals that will:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4239\" data-end=\"4582\">\n<li data-start=\"4239\" data-end=\"4290\">\n<p data-start=\"4241\" data-end=\"4290\">Transformative cost-reduction strategies (\u226550%)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4291\" data-end=\"4334\">\n<p data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4334\">Clear technical roadmap and feasibility<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4335\" data-end=\"4417\">\n<p data-start=\"4337\" data-end=\"4417\">Scalable solutions supported by cost modelling (e.g., 3 million regimens\/year)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4418\" data-end=\"4443\">\n<p data-start=\"4420\" data-end=\"4443\">Strong team expertise<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4444\" data-end=\"4509\">\n<p data-start=\"4446\" data-end=\"4509\">Consideration for LMIC manufacturing and cultural inclusivity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4510\" data-end=\"4546\">\n<p data-start=\"4512\" data-end=\"4546\">Consumer-informed product design<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4547\" data-end=\"4582\">\n<p data-start=\"4549\" data-end=\"4582\">Realistic and justified budgets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4584\" data-end=\"4668\">We encourage applicants to identify and build collaborations with organizations that bring complementary expertise. Where appropriate, the Foundation may facilitate connections among applicants working on related challenges<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4670\" data-end=\"4673\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4675\" data-end=\"4705\"><strong data-start=\"4678\" data-end=\"4705\">What Will Not Be Funded<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4706\" data-end=\"4732\">Proposals based on the following will not be funded:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4913\">\n<li data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4779\">\n<p data-start=\"4736\" data-end=\"4779\">Procurement or bulk purchasing strategies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4780\" data-end=\"4815\">\n<p data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"4815\">Minor, incremental improvements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4816\" data-end=\"4862\">\n<p data-start=\"4818\" data-end=\"4862\">Delivery models without product innovation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4863\" data-end=\"4913\">\n<p data-start=\"4865\" data-end=\"4913\">Nutrients\/products outside the specified scope<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"4915\" data-end=\"4918\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"4993\"><strong data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"4959\">Open Date:<\/strong> October 27, 2025<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4996\" data-end=\"5056\"><strong data-start=\"4996\" data-end=\"5021\">Application Deadline:<\/strong> December 16, 2025<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5444\" data-end=\"5447\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"5449\" data-end=\"5468\"><strong data-start=\"5452\" data-end=\"5468\">How to Apply<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5469\" data-end=\"5573\">Apply through this\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/submit.gatesfoundation.org\/prog\/accelerating_development_of_innovative_exceptionally_low-cost_maternal_and_child_nutrient_ingredients_products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">LINK<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5469\" data-end=\"5573\">For more information about the application, click\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/gcgh.grandchallenges.org\/challenge\/accelerating-development-innovative-exceptionally-low-cost-maternal-and-child-nutrient\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">HERE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, through the Grand Challenges Initiative, invites innovators, organizations, and institutions worldwide to apply for a new funding opportunity aimed at transforming maternal and child nutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This call seeks bold, scalable innovations that will dramatically reduce the cost of essential nutrient ingredients and prenatal&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67027,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,23,28,29,31,33,45,34,26,36,35],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-67024","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-africa","8":"category-america","9":"category-asia","10":"category-australia-and-oceania","11":"category-continent","12":"category-europe","13":"category-grants","14":"category-latin-america-and-the-caribbean","15":"category-middle-east","16":"category-proposal-writing","17":"category-south-america","18":"article","19":"","21":"has-excerpt","22":"has-avatar","23":"has-author","24":"has-nickname","25":"has-date","26":"has-comment-count","27":"has-category-meta","28":"has-read-more","29":"has-title","30":"has-post-media","31":"thumbnail-","32":"has-tfm-share-icons"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67024","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=67024"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67024\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=67024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=67024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opportunitiesconnect.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=67024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}