Gates Foundation logo
Grand Challenges — Ultralow-Cost Diagnostics and Screening for Low-Income Countries

Grand Challenges — Placental and Gut Inflammation Interventions for Fetal Growth

Funds global teams developing drug, biologic, dietary, or microbiome-based interventions that target placental and gut inflammatory pathways to improve fetal growth outcomes in low-income countries.

ClosedGates FoundationGlobal

This Grand Challenge is run by the Gates Foundation under its Grand Challenges program. It funds interventions targeting the maternal gut-placenta inflammatory axis — a potential driver of fetal growth restriction (FGR) — which affects an estimated 23.4 million infants born growth-restricted each year, with 60–70% of cases in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Three funding tracks cover the full i

Drug-based, biologic, dietary, and microbiome-informed interventions targeting maternal gut-placenta inflammatory axes and oxidative stress during pregnancy. Three tracks: mechanism and target discovery (up to $400K), candidate validation and translational advancement (up to $750K), and early clinical proof-of-concept (up to $1M). Focus on global south pregnancy contexts.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.17 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.18–30 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.

Sign up free to see the funding breakdown

Sign up free to see the industries in scope

Sign up free to see the full eligibility

Sign up free to see how to apply

Sign up free to see what you submit

Sign up free to see how they score you

Sign up free to see the timeline

Sign up free to see where teams trip up

Last verified: 22 Jul 2026Source: gcgh.grandchallenges.org