Grand Challenges Canada funds bold, scalable innovations that save and improve lives in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on transitioning early-stage ideas to significant impact in areas like early childhood development and mental health. It exists to de-risk and scale solutions that address pressing global health and development challenges, often through non-dilutive grants and partnership support.

- Innovation: bold, novel, and potentially transformative ideas that address a critical problem in LMICs. - Impact: clear potential to save or improve lives at scale, with measurable outcomes. - Feasibility: strong technical and operational plan, realistic timeline, and capable team. - Scalability: pathway to scale and sustainability beyond the grant period. - Alignment: fits specific calls (e.g., Play Learn Thrive for early childhood development in crisis settings; Being Initiative for youth mental health). - Eligibility: applicant must be from or working in eligible LMICs (e.g., Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, etc.); for Transition to Scale, invitations only. - Registration: new users must register on Fluxx Portal at least 7 business days before deadline.

Past winners include social enterprises and research teams from LMICs that have developed innovations in maternal health, mental health, early childhood development, and other global health priorities. Examples include community health worker programs, digital health platforms, and low-cost medical devices. Winners often have strong local partnerships, evidence of early traction, and a clear plan for scaling.

The ideal applicant is a small or medium enterprise or research team based in an eligible LMIC, with a bold, evidence-informed innovation that addresses a critical health or development challenge. They have a clear theory of change, a strong implementation plan, and the capacity to scale, often with partnerships with local governments or NGOs. They are positioned to move from pilot to scale with funding and support.