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| What is the relationship between Grand Challenges Explorations and the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative? How are they different? |
Grand Challenges Explorations is an extension of the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. Both initiatives focus on encouraging innovation in global health research, although the Explorations grants will target smaller projects that are at an earlier stage of discovery. The $100 million, five-year initiative is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and will support hundreds of early-stage research projects. |
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| Will Explorations grants fit under the 14 Grand Challenges? |
The Explorations topics address many of the same challenges defined in the original 14 Grand Challenges, in addition to new areas. |
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| How much are the Grand Challenges Explorations grants? |
Phase I grants will be for $100,000 USD. Phase I projects that show promise in the first year will be eligible for follow-on funding. |
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| How many awards will be funded? |
We anticipate funding approximately sixty awards each round although this number is dependent on the quality of proposals received. Promising first-year projects will be eligible for additional follow-on funding. |
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| What is the anticipated schedule for awards? |
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| When is the next round scheduled? |
We will announce another round later in 2008. Please sign up to receive updates Sign Up here. |
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| What topics will the initiative address? |
The current Grand Challenges Explorations topics can be viewed on the Topic Descriptions page. Future rounds of Explorations may address different topics. Please sign up to receive updates Sign Up here. |
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| Whom can I contact if I have a question about a particular topic? |
Please submit your topic-related questions through the FAQ submission form. Questions will be routed to the appropriate foundation staff and answers will be posted regularly. Due to the volume of requests we will not be able to respond to individual questions. |
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| Can I submit multiple proposals for the same topic? |
At this time only one proposal can be submitted per applicant so please submit your best idea. |
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| Can I recommend a topic for a future round? |
Although we currently do not have a way of accepting suggestions for future topics we do plan to add a feature that will allow this. |
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| Where I can find a list of the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation’s disease priorities? |
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| Can you please clarify if the existing topics are the only ones under consideration at this time? |
The topics for this round are listed here. These are the only topics under consideration at this time. Future rounds of GCE may repeat topics or have new topics available. |
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| Will you provide guidance on an application before I submit it? |
No, we will not be providing individual guidance on ideas either before or after submission. An applicant should decide if it is worth submitting their idea under one of the available topics. |
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| When is the registration period? |
The registration period will open March 31, 2008 and close on May 15, 2008. |
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| I have registered and selected a topic but not yet submitted a proposal. Since the deadline for submitting the proposal (May 30, 2008) is separate from registration (May 15, 2008) is there any way to check that I am successfully registered prior to finalizing the proposal? |
Please submit a draft proposal (even just a title), if you can successfully upload your proposal, it means that your registration was successful. |
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| When is the submission deadline for the first round? |
Applications will be accepted until May 30, 2008 |
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| Do I have to register? |
You must be registered for an Explorations topic to be able to submit an application. |
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| Is there a specific format for the application? |
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| Am I able to edit our registration information and proposal once submitted? |
Yes, you may edit proposal content at any time prior to submission closure. |
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| When will the notification of awards be made? |
We expect proposals to be reviewed rapidly and awards announced within three months of the submission deadline. |
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| What feedback can I expect if my proposal is not selected? |
We will not be able to provide feedback specific to the technical content of each proposal, however we will communicate with applicants once a decision has been reached. |
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| Will the awarded grantees be announced publicly, if so where and when? |
This has not yet been determined. |
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| Do I have to submit my proposal using the Online Application Tool? |
Yes, all applications must be submitted through the Online Application Tool. Under exceptional circumstances, we will consider accepting submissions from those unable to use the online tool. Please read the Rules & Guidelines for further details. |
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| Do you allow multiple submissions from the same institution? |
Yes, multiple submissions from an institution are allowed. |
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| Do you allow multiple submissions from a single laboratory? |
Yes, multiple submissions from a single laboratory are allowed. However each submission must be associated with a different primary contact and propose a different idea or experiment. |
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| Is it possible to have multiple applicants on a proposal? |
Teaming and collaboration are welcome within a single application. However, applicants need to elect one primary contact per team. |
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| I submitted my proposal but did not receive a confirmation. How would I know if my proposal went through? |
Our system automatically sends an email when you submit your proposal. Please check your junk mail folder. |
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| What are the criteria for selection? |
Reviewers will be encouraged to champion proposals according to the following criteria:
• Topic Responsiveness – How does the proposal address the problems described in the topic? (Please note the types of research that will not be funded are listed in each topic description.)
• Innovative Approach – How does the idea offer an unconventional or creative approach to the problem outlined in the topic? What specific characteristics of your project idea demonstrate that you are applying a new or pioneering approach? Describe how your idea varies from current approaches, what new premises or hypotheses you will test, and the rational basis for expecting success. |
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| What is the review process? |
The review process will be done in three steps:
1. An initial screening for responsiveness to the problem described in the topic
2. Evaluation by two groups of reviewers -- one with significant expertise in program management specific to each topic, and another of individuals with a history of identifying creative solutions to difficult scientific problems. In each case, reviewers will be encouraged to champion a small number of ideas they consider to be both uniquely innovative and testable.
3. A series of due diligence activities to ensure a legal and financial capacity to perform work described in the proposal. |
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| How will you ensure due diligence in reviewing proposals on a “fast-track” basis? |
Although we will be using a rapid-review process, we will closely review grant proposals to ensure that the applicant can be a legitimate recipient of charitable contributions.
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| Will my idea be treated as confidential during the review process? |
We value the confidentiality of your proposal and require that all reviewers treat any and all information and materials given by applicants as confidential. In addition all copies of such information acquired or created during the course of performing a review will be destroyed or turned over to the Foundation. Despite these assurances, we invite applicants to take appropriate measures to protect intellectual property associated with their proposal. |
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| Am I eligible to apply if I work for the private sector? |
Yes, we are accepting applications from individuals at both private and public organizations. |
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| What is the process once selected for potential award? |
Once selected for potential award, proposals must be reviewed by our grants manager and pass some minor due diligence criteria. Details can be found in the Rules and Guidelines. |
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| Who will own the rights to technologies created by the grants? What is being done to ensure access for developing countries? |
In general, the investigators will own the rights to any technologies they invent. They are required to use these rights to help ensure that any tools or knowledge created will be made available and affordable in the developing world. Agreement to this principle is a condition of receiving a grant. |
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| Who signs the grant agreement? |
Your organization must authorize the acceptance of funds if awarded. It is up to you to identify the person and return the countersigned grant agreement in a timely manner. |
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| How is intellectual property handled? |
We respect the intellectual property of our grantees, but we ask them to structure their IP in a way that allows the developing world to access their drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, or any other health interventions at an affordable price. Our Global Access Objectives aspire to ensure that the poorest of the poor have access to any knowledge or products that we fund. We don’t provide a blueprint for exactly how this should be done, we leave that to our partners. Please see Rules and Guidelines for a full description of the Global Access Objectives. |
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| What are the reporting requirements for these grants ? |
A Final Financial and Scientific Progress Report will be prepared by the grantee. This report is due no later than twelve (12) months from the date of grant award offer. Detailed instructions for the reporting format, including the format for the optional Phase II proposal will be provided at the time of award. Please see the Rules & Guidelines for a full description of the reporting requirements. |
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| Should we budget for final report production and/or travel to brief our results? |
All anticipated expenses will be included in the grant award. |
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| What are the restrictions for what the $100,000 can be used to purchase? |
The full terms and conditions of the grant award are detailed in the Rules & Guidelines. However, some key elements of the award are:
1. No grantee will be permitted to make subgrants, but all grantees will be permitted to contract out for services, up to a maximum of one-third (1/3) of the grant funds ($33,000 USD). Phase II grants will not have this limitation.
2. All grantees will be entitled to purchase equipment, provided that each item must be < $5,000 and that the aggregate purchases cannot exceed 1/4 of the grant funds ($25,000 USD). Phase II grants will not have this limitation
3. The funds may be used to cover direct costs of the project, but no grantee will be entitled to use grant funds to cover indirect costs. Please see the Appendix in the Rules & Guidelines for the definition of indirect costs. Phase II grants will follow the foundations normal guidelines for indirect costs.
4. Non-US grantees will not be allowed to use grant funds for US expenditures. Note that items such as equipments, reagents or other consumable purchased from US-based distributors are not subject to this restriction. However, using grant funds to travel to or from the United States is subject to this restriction. Phase II grants will not have this limitation
5. Grant funds may be used for human subjects research (including, but not limited to, the use of any human tissue samples or the conduct of human clinical trials), but you must have all appropriate approvals, assurances and certifications (including, but not limited to, IRB approvals) on the date the Grant Agreement is fully executed. You do not need to have all required Approvals in place at the time of application, however you must receive them as of the date the Grant Agreement is fully executed.
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| Is the Explorations initiative open to applicants from outside the United States? |
There is no geographical restriction for applicants. We encourage scientists worldwide to submit their ideas. |
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| I am not presently employed by any organization. May I still apply? |
In order to register and apply, you must be affiliated with an organization. |
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Who can I contact if I have a question about a particular topic?
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Please submit your topic-related questions through the FAQ submission form. Questions will be routed to the appropriate foundation staff and answers will be posted regularly. Due to the volume of requests we will not be able to respond to individual questions. |
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| What is the number for the International Information Line? |
The number is 800 5555 4423. Please note that the extra 5 is intentional. The International Information Line is not available in some countries at this time but we continue to strive toward worldwide access. |
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| Where do I go for Web site related issues? |
Please contact the GCE webmaster for questions and issues with using this site. |
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| I can’t log in. Where do I get my temporary password? |
When you first create an account, a temporary password is sent to the email address you provide. If the email does not appear in your inbox please be sure to check your ‘Junk Mail’ folder. |
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| The application tool is not loading for me. What can I do to fix this? |
If other websites load normally, it is likely that a large number of users are currently accessing the system. Wait at least one hour and try the site again. If the issue persists, please email the specifics of your problem to GCExplorations@gatesfoundation.org |
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| Will my data be lost if I navigate away from this site? |
The application tool will back up data entered into fields in real time as long as you are connected to the Internet. You will be logged out after one hour of inactivity. |
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| Where can I report broken links? |
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| How to I edit a previously submitted proposal |
1. Login to the GCE website.
2. Click on “Proposal” on the left side of the screen. 3. At the bottom of the page, click on “Edit Proposal.” 4. Make any changes and then click on “Continue” at the bottom of the page. 5. Upload your updated file (or make changes to the previously inputted text) and then click “Continue.” 6. You will be returned to the first Proposal webpage. At the bottom of the page, click on “Submit Proposal.” 7. Your Proposal will be submitted and you will see a page thanking you for your submission. 8. You have successfully updated your Proposal. |
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| I’m having trouble uploading my application file. What should I do? |
Your document must be saved with one of the following extensions: *.pdf, *.doc, or *.docx. Otherwise, try recreating your document using Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or Word Pad and uploading again. |
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