History
In January 2003, Bill Gates first announced the Grand Challenges in Global Health at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMFG) granted $200 million to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). The goal behind the initiative was to fund research to advance the fight against disease that disproportionately affects people in the world’s poorest countries. At this time the scientific board’s responsibilities were outlined: to identify scientific or technological innovations that have a global impact or show potential for feasibility.
In May 2003, the scientific board requested ideas through widespread advertising and marketing strategies. These announcements welcomed innovative ideas, and more than 1,000 suggestions from scientists and institutions in 75 countries were submitted by July. The scientific board met to further discuss these proposals, which were presented orally with a statement of the problem, descriptions of obstacles to progress, the challenge itself, and a discussion of potential benefits and priority areas for study and application. The following questions raised during the meetings reflect the difficulty in defining these Grand Challenges: Does the proposal describe a difficult and discrete roadblock to progress? What is the likelihood that creative solutions are required and that grant proposals worthy of funding will be received to address it? Is there already substantial scientific activity aimed at solving the problem, which would make the intent of a grand challenge redundant? What are possible impacts on various diseases if the challenge is successfully met? Will envisioned advances be suitable for implementation in poorer parts of the world?
In October 2003, the scientific board announced the 14 Grand Challenges.
In August 2004, the evaluation of letters from around the world led to over 400 full proposals. Experts assessed proposals and the Executive Committee of the scientific board and staff members from FNIH and BMGF reviewed the projects to move into the negotiations for grants.
In May 2005, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave an additional $250 million to fund research for the initiative, bringing the foundation’s commitment to $450 million.
In June 2005, the initiative announced grants for 43 new projects, attracting international partners.
Today, the work towards revolutionary advances in global health continues. 44 separate research projects are currently being managed, and solving even one of the 14 challenges could potentially improve the lives of millions.
Read more about this topic: Grand Challenges In Global Health
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