The 2025 Global Call for Proposals under the Grand Challenges Initiative seeks groundbreaking solutions that will make the nutrition of children and mothers accessible to all. The program is designed to lower the cost of essential nutritional ingredients and supplements for prenatal care. It will help mothers and children throughout Africa as well as Nigeria get access to vital nutrition.
Globally, millions of children and women are not getting the essential micronutrients, such as calcium, DHA and choline, that are vital for healthy development. The initiative is focused on developing new formulations, production methods and packaging solutions that reduce prices by 50% or more while ensuring quality and safety.
This grant offers a significant possibility for Nigerian researchers as well as universities, startups and social enterprises that focus on nutrition to be part of an international effort to improve public health by innovating.
What This Grant Is About
The Grand Challenges program, supported by international partners, provides large, sustainable solutions that enhance the health of children and mothers. The program invites proposals to improve the accessibility of nutrition by using technology, science and design.
The applicants can choose from three areas of focus:
- Exceptionally Low-Cost Nutrient Ingredients
Create components like calcium, choline, or DHA that are half the price of the current market prices. They must be in line with pharmacopeial requirements and GMP compliance and be allergen-free, stable, and accepted by the local community (halal and kosher as well as vegetarian). - low-cost prenatal supplements
Develop affordable prenatal vitamins (UNIMMAP MMS and calcium) that cost less than US$2 each for a 180-day supply. The projects should incorporate tests on the consumer and stability to ensure safety and usability. - Advanced Prenatal Formulations (MMSplus)
Innovate the supplement that incorporates many nutrients, including nicotinamide, DHA and choline, at a reasonable price and in a variety of dosage forms that can be used in areas in need of development.
Funding and Coverage
Projects will receive tailored funding based on their category:
| Category | Funding Amount (USD) | Project Duration | Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptionally Low-Cost Nutrient Ingredients | Up to $500,000 | 18 months | Develop affordable nutrient ingredients |
| Low-Cost Prenatal Supplements | Up to $200,000 | 12 months | Create low-cost prenatal supplement under $2 |
| Advanced Prenatal Formulations | Up to $400,000 | 12 months | Develop advanced prenatal product with multiple nutrients |
Indirect costs may not exceed 10–15% of the total award. Funding covers research, development, and pilot-scale testing.
Eligibility Criteria
This opportunity is open to anyone worldwide to:
- Universities and research institutes
- Private and public corporations
- International and non-profit organisations
- Government health or R&D agencies
The applicant must submit their application through a legally registered organisation and show expertise that is relevant to the application. Partnerships between low- and middle-income nations (LMICs) and international institutions are highly recommended.
Nigerian or African applicants are advised to cooperate with manufacturing or research labs as partners to develop supplementation for markets in the region.
How to Apply
To be eligible, applicants must follow the steps:
- Visit the official website of the Grand Challenges portal.
- Create an account and select the funding call titled “Accelerating Development of Innovative, Exceptionally Low-Cost Maternal and Child Nutrient Ingredients and Products”.
- Write a thorough proposal outlining your idea, its technological feasibility, cost-reduction strategies and scalability plans.
- Attach documents supporting the application, including the corporate registration, budget, and a work plan.
- Make sure you submit your application before 16 December 2025.
Applications should be accompanied by quantifiable results with clear timelines and cost analysis that demonstrate the potential for impact at a large scale.
Required Documents
Candidates should write the following documents:
- Certificate of registration for institutions or corporations
- Proposal for a detailed project (maximum 10 pages)
- Work plan that includes deliverables and milestones
- Cost and budget justification
- Specifications of the technical specifications of the ingredient or product
- Partnership letters (if appropriate)
Key Dates and Timelines
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Ongoing |
| Submission Deadline | 16 December 2025 |
| Review and Shortlisting | January–March 2026 |
| Announcement of Grantees | April 2026 |
| Project Implementation | Mid-2026 onward |
Common Challenges and Warnings
The applicants should be wary of:
- Proposals that concentrate on price negotiations or minor changes
- Projects that do not demonstrate clear technological advancement or potential for scaling
- Insufficient tests for stability or consumer testing
Beware: Fraudulent intermediaries may pretend to represent international funders. Make sure to submit your applications through an official Grand Challenges platform and verify email addresses that end with official domains.
Why It Matters for Nigeria and Africa
Nigeria, as well as other African countries, faces a long-term challenge with malnutrition of children and mothers, typically because of the high price of imported food supplements. Local innovators can benefit from this money to:
- Create indigenous sources of nutrients by using materials that are locally available
- Create low-cost production methods for health centres in the community.
- Enhance partnerships between industry and academia in biotechnology and food science.
Such advancements can help reduce dependence on imported supplements and increase the nutritional security of Africa.
Summary Table
| Grant Title | Accelerating Development of Low-Cost Maternal & Child Nutrition Solutions |
|---|---|
| Funding Agency | Grand Challenges Initiative |
| Eligible Applicants | Global entities (NGOs, academia, firms, LMIC partnerships encouraged) |
| Funding Range | $200,000–$500,000 |
| Focus Areas | Nutrient ingredients, low-cost supplements, advanced prenatal formulas |
| Deadline | 16 December 2025 |
| Duration | 12–18 months |
| Geographic Focus | Global (with priority for LMICs including Nigeria and Africa) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Nigerian universities apply independently?
Yes, provided they are legally registered and can manage funds transparently.
2. Are startups eligible for this grant?
Yes, startups focusing on nutrition, biotechnology, or food science can apply.
3. Can joint proposals be submitted?
Collaborations are encouraged, especially between African and international institutions.
4. What is the maximum project duration?
Up to 18 months for nutrient ingredient development.
5. Is there a registration fee?
No. Applications are completely free.
6. What kind of data must be generated?
Applicants must provide real-time stability and usability test results.
7. Can projects use locally sourced materials?
Yes. Local sourcing is encouraged for sustainability and cost reduction.
8. Are indirect costs covered?
Yes, but limited to 10–15% of the total grant.
9. How are winners selected?
By peer review based on innovation, feasibility, and potential for scale.
10. When will the winners be announced?
Around April 2026, after review and validation.
Conclusion
This funding opportunity in the world is much more than the grant itself. It’s an investment in the future of child and maternal health. For Nigerian entrepreneurs, this is an opportunity to provide locally relevant nutritional solutions that are cost-effective and efficient to market and aid in decreasing the rate of infant and maternal deaths across Africa.