Overview
Grand Challenges Canada funds innovations in global health, humanitarian response and adjacent areas, structured in stages:
- Proof of Concept — typically CAD 150,000–250,000 over 12–24 months
- Transition to Scale — CAD 150,000 to 3 million, over periods from 6 months to 5 years, depending on the stage and needs of the innovation
Individual calls set their own range within those bands, so check the specific request for proposals.
Applications are submitted through Fluxx, its grants management system.
Current picture
Calls are thematic and time-bound rather than continuous. Recent windows have included the Being Initiative (youth mental health) and Nexa (climate-driven health risks in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean). Canada renewed its investment in Grand Challenges Canada in 2026.
Practical note
Check the Apply for Funding page for currently open windows before preparing anything — several 2026 intakes have already closed, and calls are not reopened.
Always confirm eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the donor's own page before applying.