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(OPTions) Innovation Initiative

Posted by Jaq-Lin Larder on December 17, 2018 in Research Funding

Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) is currently seeking proposals for its new Options for Pregnancy Termination (OPTions) Innovation Initiative.

The OPTions Initiative seeks innovative and transformative ideas that have potential to improve access to safe abortion in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there are one or more legal grounds to support it. These ideas could originate from innovators worldwide and across a wide range of disciplines. GCC is seeking innovations that:

  • Increase access to existing abortion products and services for women and girls who have chosen to terminate their pregnancies;
  • Develop and test new methods of pregnancy termination that are an improvement over existing methods.

The current round of this competition will provide $250,000 in seed grants for approximately 20 successful proposals, with the possibility of additional scale–up grants. Projects are expected to be of 18-24 months’ duration. Note that Canadian lead applicants are strongly encouraged to include LMIC collaborators among their teams.

For more information about this competition, including details on applications and eligibility criteria, visit the Grand Challenges webpage. 

Any Dalhousie researcher intending to apply is asked to contact the International Research Manager for more information and support in preparing an application.

Internal Deadline is February 5, 2019.