Grant opportunity
Grand Challenges Innovations in Decentralized Pan-Orthoebolavirus Diagnostics
Grand Challenges is seeking field-ready innovations for pan-Orthoebolavirus diagnostics, specimen validation, decentralized testing, surveillance, early warning and quality systems for Ebola outbreak response.
- Funder
- Gates Foundation / Grand Challenges
- Applications close 31 July 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PDT
- Applications close 31 July 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PDT: Jul 31, 2026
- Award
- Indicative budgets range from USD 150,000 to USD 800,000 depending on use case and duration
- Applicant
- Research institutes, nonprofits, companies, international organisations, government agencies and academic institutions with strong diagnostics, outbreak, specimen-access or endemic-country partnerships.
- Discipline
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Region
- DRC, Uganda and Ebola-endemic countries / Global South
- Posted
- Jul 17, 2026
Call summary
Overview
This RFP responds to the 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and supports technical solutions that can make decentralized viral hemorrhagic fever testing safer, faster and more reliable.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include research institutes, nonprofits, for-profit companies, international organisations, government agencies and academic institutions. The Foundation strongly encourages applicants based in or substantially partnered with organisations in DRC, Uganda or other EVD-endemic countries.
What it supports
- Biomarkers and binder discovery for sensitive RDT development.
- Venipuncture-free specimen validation and inactivation workflows.
- Field-ready antigen or molecular diagnostic products.
- Sentinel, environmental, wastewater or AI-driven early-warning systems.
- Quality assurance, reference materials and training tools for decentralized testing.
Funding and duration
- Opportunity budgets in the official RFP range from USD 150,000 to USD 800,000 depending on use case.
- The Foundation anticipates funding a portfolio of up to 12 awards.
Applications close 31 July 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PDT
Applications close 31 July 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PDT: Jul 31, 2026
How to apply
Apply through the official Grand Challenges application portal and review the RFP, rules, application instructions, budget template and FAQs before submission.
Call details
Source-based overview
Grand Challenges is inviting proposals for decentralized pan-Orthoebolavirus diagnostics and related surveillance and quality systems. The call prioritises solutions suitable for constrained outbreak settings, with no complex laboratory infrastructure, limited cold chain, low-connectivity deployment and strong endemic-country partnerships.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include research institutes, nonprofits, for-profit companies, international organisations, government agencies and academic institutions. The Foundation strongly encourages applicants based in or substantially partnered with organisations in DRC, Uganda or other EVD-endemic countries.
Funding and benefits
Opportunity budgets in the official RFP range from USD 150,000 to USD 800,000 depending on use case.
The Foundation anticipates funding a portfolio of up to 12 awards.
Themes and supported activities
Biomarkers and binder discovery for sensitive RDT development.
Venipuncture-free specimen validation and inactivation workflows.
Field-ready antigen or molecular diagnostic products.
Sentinel, environmental, wastewater or AI-driven early-warning systems.
Quality assurance, reference materials and training tools for decentralized testing.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 31 July 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PDT: Applications close 31 July 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PDT: Jul 31, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Apply through the official Grand Challenges application portal and review the RFP, rules, application instructions, budget template and FAQs before submission.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.