The Gates Foundation has launched the Grand Challenges Request for Proposals (RFP) on Innovative Data and Modeling Approaches to Measure Women’s Health. This initiative seeks groundbreaking solutions to improve the measurement of women’s health beyond traditional indicators like the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY). The program is designed for nonprofits, for-profits, international organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions, particularly encouraging applications from women-led organizations, early-career researchers, and institutions in low- and middle-income countries.
Background Women’s health remains underrepresented and inadequately measured in global health frameworks. Current methodologies fail to account for gender-sensitive and multidimensional factors, resulting in limited insights for policymakers and health professionals. This Grand Challenge aims to:
- Develop innovative data modeling approaches that improve the understanding of women’s health outcomes.
- Leverage existing or easily accessible data to provide new perspectives on women’s health burdens and progress.
- Enhance gender-sensitive analysis to better reflect the impact of social, economic, and structural determinants on health outcomes.
This initiative builds on the Women’s Health Innovation Opportunity Map 2023, a collaborative effort involving over 250 stakeholders across 50 countries. The Opportunity Map highlights critical gaps in women’s health and emphasizes the need for innovation in data and measurement methodologies.
Eligibility Criteria Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Who can apply:
- Nonprofit organizations
- For-profit companies
- International organizations
- Government agencies
- Academic institutions
- Encouraged applicants:
- Women-led organizations
- Early-career researchers and practitioners in women’s health measurement
- Institutions based in low- and middle-income countries
- Preferred Proposals:
- Demonstrate innovative thinking in modeling women’s health.
- Use existing or feasible-to-collect datasets rather than large-scale new data collection.
- Adopt intersectional approaches, addressing economic, social, and structural health disparities.
- Align with the Opportunity Map dimensions and expand on traditional measurement indicators.
- Show potential for global or subnational comparative analysis.
- Have a clear pathway for real-world impact, informing policies and programs.
- Promote interdisciplinary collaboration in public health, data science, economics, and gender studies.
Proposals will not be considered if they:
- Focus solely on new data collection without a novel analytical component.
- Implement health interventions without measurement or modeling.
- Only refine existing composite indicators without innovation.
- Use proprietary or inaccessible datasets without justification.
- Lack a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach.
- Do not align with the Opportunity Map dimensions.
- Fail to provide clear links between modeling and practical application.
Program Details
- Funding: Up to $150,000 USD per project.
- Grant Duration: 18-24 months.
- Funding Scope: Indirect costs will be considered as per the Gates Foundation’s indirect cost policy.
- Focus Areas: Proposals should address at least one of the following:
- Skills, knowledge, and networks – Impact of gender disparities in education and workforce participation on health.
- Supply and access to services – Influence of healthcare systems and financing on women’s access to essential services.
- Health and economic impacts – Relationship between health outcomes and women’s financial independence, caregiving burdens, and workforce inclusion.
- Expected Outputs:
- Methodologically rigorous and data-driven solutions.
- Actionable and interpretable insights for policymakers.
- Gender-sensitive, intersectional analysis to identify disparities and opportunities.
- Comparative frameworks for cross-country or subnational analysis.
How to Apply Interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Review Supporting Documents: Before applying, review the Rules and Guidelines, Terms and Conditions, Application Instructions, and FAQs provided by the Gates Foundation.
- Attend the Informational Webinar: A dedicated webinar will be held on March 4, from 7:00 to 8:00 AM Pacific Time. Participants must register and submit questions in advance. The webinar recording will be available on the challenge page afterward.
- Prepare Application Materials: Ensure proposals meet the eligibility and selection criteria outlined above.
- Submit Application: Use the official application portal.
Important Dates
- Webinar: March 4, 7:00 – 8:00 AM Pacific Time
- Application Deadline: 25 Mar, 2025
- Grant Term: 18-24 months after selection
Why Apply? This is an exciting opportunity for researchers, organizations, and institutions passionate about advancing gender-sensitive health measurement. By contributing innovative solutions, applicants can play a critical role in reshaping how women’s health is understood and addressed globally.
Join this effort to improve health equity—apply now and be part of the change!
