---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Balderston, Beth <bbalderston@path.org> Date: Tue, May 1, 2012 at 8:14 PM Subject: Deadline May 15! Gates Foundation seeks ideas to optimize immunization systems To: "nixdell@cs.washington.edu" <nixdell@cs.washington.edu> Hi Nicki, Could you post this final reminder to Change? Thanks! -Beth**** ** ** If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online<http://e2.ma/message/x97wb/1krap>. **** Share This: <http://e2.ma/share/outbound/e/x97wb/1krap><http://e2.ma/share/outbound/t/x97wb/1krap><http://e2.ma/share/outbound/f/x97wb/1krap><http://e2.ma/share/outbound/l/x97wb/1krap> **** *Calling everyone with good ideas: engineers, public health professionals, designers, entrepreneurs, students, inventors, nongovernmental organizations, scientists. Please share this announcement with your networks and colleagues. There are only two weeks left—the deadline is May 15!* *What could you prove with $100,000?***** *Gates Foundation seeks bold new ideas to optimize immunization systems* The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations grant program is offering US$100,000 grants to help prove the potential of innovative approaches to optimize immunization systems. Successful projects may be eligible for additional funding up to $1 million.**** *A search for daring solutions* Anyone with a good idea is eligible to submit a two-page proposal. That includes all engineers, public health specialists, entrepreneurs, and students—anyone working in a nongovernmental organization, ministry of health, university, or company.**** *Priority areas for funding* *Vaccine product characteristics: How can we improve vaccine products for use in low-resource settings and make it easier for decision-makers to select products that will meet their needs?* *Examples: Tools for evaluating different product presentations and formulations; low-cost temperature indicators for vaccine vials; packaging solutions to prevent freezing and/or guarantee sterility. * *Supply system design: How can we make vaccine logistics more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable? * *Examples: Innovative solutions for vaccine transport; synergistic partnerships with non-vaccine supply systems; global location information software to optimize logistics and transport.* *Environmental impact: How can we minimize waste, energy use, and environmental impact in vaccine supply systems?* *Examples: Fuel-efficient delivery routes and vehicles; fuel-efficient cooling equipment; equipment that uses alternative fuels; safe treatment of medical waste; other strategies for minimizing environmental impact.* *Information systems: How can we take advantage of information technology in vaccine supply systems*? *Examples: Logistics management and vaccine tracking software; low-cost, durable hardware and devices to improve data collection and accuracy.* *Human resources: How can we better train and mobilize human resources?* *Examples: Innovative training methodologies; incentive systems; educational models that empower national staff to improve the performance of their immunization supply system. * *Vaccination acceptance: How can we increase understanding about the importance of immunizations?* *Examples: Innovative, affordable, and sustainable approaches to increase the understanding, reach, and public acceptance of immunization; creative approaches to address misinformation around immunization in low-income settings.***** Proposed solutions should be daring in premise and clearly different from approaches currently under investigation or in use, with a focus on the operational aspects of immunization systems. Ideas also must have the potential to be scaled up or reproduced in multiple low-resource settings. * ***** *The future of immunization supply systems* The call for proposals builds on work facilitated by project Optimize—a collaboration between PATH and the World Health Organization—to develop a common vision <http://e2.ma/click/x97wb/1krap/tmblt> for the future of immunization supply systems and logistics.**** **** *The submission deadline is May 15, 2012.* If you have questions, please email GCEhelp@gatesfoundation.org <GCEhelp@gatesfoundation.org?subject=> or visit the websites linked below. * ***** *For more information* Gates Grand Challenges Explorations call for proposals http://tinyurl.com/immunizationsystems<http://e2.ma/click/x97wb/1krap/9eclt> The Gates Grand Challenges Explorations program www.grandchallenges.org/vxf <http://e2.ma/click/x97wb/1krap/p7clt>**** **** Project Optimize www.path.org/projects/project-optimize.php<http://e2.ma/click/x97wb/1krap/5zdlt> www.who.int/immunization_delivery/systems_policy/optimize/en/<http://e2.ma/click/x97wb/1krap/lselt> **** **** **** *manage*<https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/54892/32403/25216659/?v=a>your preferences | *opt out*<http://e2.ma/optout/x97wb/1krap?r=aHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuZTJtYS5uZXQvYXBwMi9hdWRpZW5jZS9vcHRfb3V0LzU0ODkyLzMyNDAzLzI1MjE2NjU5Lz92PWE=>using *TrueRemove*®. 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