---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Balderston, Beth <bbalderston@path.org> Date: Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 6:44 PM Subject: Grant opportunity for optimizing immunization systems in low- and middle-income countries To: "nixdell@cs.washington.edu" <nixdell@cs.washington.edu> Dear Nicki,**** ** ** Would you be able to share this announcement with the Change mailing list? Just let me know if I should send this to someone else. **** ** ** Questions should be directed to Grand Challenges Explorations ( www.grandchallenges.org/path).**** ** ** Thanks!**** ** ** ~Beth Balderston**** ** ** = = =**** ** ** *Grant opportunity for optimizing immunization systems in low- and middle-income countries* ** ** The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Explorations initiative is offering US$100,000 grants to pursue unconventional ideas that could transform immunization supply systems in the world's poorest countries. **** ** ** The availability of new vaccines and the funding to rapidly introduce them into developing country immunization programs offers a great opportunity to save millions of lives. However, with these opportunities, come challenges. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations aims to ensure that systems entrusted with delivering these vaccines are up to the task.**** ** ** "This is the time to think outside the box if we want to ensure new vaccines reach the millions of people in the poorest countries. The time for 'business as usual' has passed—it's time for bold ideas," says Michel Zaffran, Director of PATH’s project Optimize and Senior Adviser in the World Health Organization's Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.* *** ** ** *Grant priority areas* ** ** The Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 covers several topics including innovations that “Design New Approaches to Optimize Immunization Systems.” Scientists, inventors, non-governmental organizations, ministries of health, and entrepreneurs from around the world are invited to apply. Grants of US$100,000 will be awarded to promising two-page proposals that address one or more of the following priority areas:**** ** ** 1. Vaccine characteristic prioritization.**** 2. Immunization supply system design.**** 3. Environmental impact.**** 4. Information systems.**** 5. Human resources.**** 6. Vaccination acceptance.**** ** ** Projects demonstrating success will have the opportunity to receive additional funding up to US$1 million.**** ** ** Proposals are being accepted online and the closing date for submission is *November 17, 2011*. For more information or to apply, visit: * www.grandchallenges.org/path***** ** **