Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development

Provides $250k to $2 million in seed funds, validation funds, and transition to scale funds to support the development and validation of prevention and treatment approaches that increase access to primary health care for women and newborns in poor, hard-to-reach communities. Seeking innovative ideas addressing three main domains: (1) technology; (2) service delivery; and (3) “demand side” innovation that empowers pregnant women and their families to practice healthy behaviors and be aware of and access health care during pregnancy, childbirth and the early postnatal period, especially the first two days after birth. Awardees will receive support and networking assistance from each of the partners, engage with other innovators, and participate in high-level meetings including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s annual Grand Challenge meetings.