Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 Data Science Grant

ICODA and Grand Challenges are delighted to launch the new pilot Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 Data Science grant programme that will focus on addressing major questions about how to reduce the harm of COVID-19 and future pandemics.  The programme aims to unite data and develop processes, analytical tools and infrastructure to achieve rapid scientific progress and impact.

The initiative will be a pilot for the ongoing Grand Challenges that seek to develop global collaboration and innovative approaches to major health challenges. Grand Challenges is a family of initiatives, launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2003, to solve key global health and development problems. Selected projects will become part of ICODA’s portfolio of Driver Projects, helping to further develop processes, tools and infrastructure to accelerate scientific progress and foster collaboration between researchers and the public around the world.  This pilot will lead to a larger Grand Challenges Data Science call in late 2021, which will be led by global Grand Challenges partners.

Focus, timeline and application process

The Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 Data Science grant programme will provide awards of up to US$100,000 for studies lasting for between 6-12 months, starting in mid-March 2021 onwards. In addition, successful applicants will have access to ICODA’s digital workbench, as well as technical and wider support from ICODA and its partners.

Proposals are welcomed from any country or region, with particular priority for those involving researchers and datasets from LMICs.

The Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 Data Science initiative launches on 17 December 2020. The deadline for initial submissions will be 19 January 2021.

For specific details and criteria please consult our Request for Proposals.

Potential applicants are invited to apply using this application form.  To assist research teams in preparing joint applications, we have also made a Word version and PDF version of the form available:  please note that these should not be used for final submission.

Please review the programme’s Terms and Conditions for Grant Awards prior to completing an application.

If you have questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document in the first instance. If you do not find an answer there, please contact us.

Online Information Workshop 

Please join us for an Online Information Workshop on 07 January 2021 at 14:00 UTC to learn more about the Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 initiative. To attend the event, please register here. The event will be recorded and published on the ICODA website shortly afterwards.

Main agenda points:

• An overview of the Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 Data Science pilot initiative, and what we are looking for in applications
• An outline of the longer-term vision for the Global Grand Challenges data science initiatives and how this pilot will contribute
• How the ICODA Workbench and tools as well as other resources that we will make available to Grantees will enable and support the selected research studies
• Further information on the terms of the terms of the grant awards and what will be supported
• Significant time to address your questions live

In partnership with

Please note that the application form is hosted by our delivery partner Exaptive.