The International COVID-19 Data Alliance (ICODA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges initiative has launched the Grand Challenges ICODA COVID-19 Data Science Grant Program. The Program will focus on addressing major questions about how to reduce the harm of COVID-19 and future pandemics. It aims to unite data and develop processes, analytical tools, and infrastructure to achieve rapid scientific progress and impact.

The Program will be a pilot for the ongoing Grand Challenges that seek to develop global collaboration and innovative approaches to major health challenges. 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.

Amount: Awards will range up to $100,000 for studies lasting 6-12 months.

Eligibility: Proposals accepted from any country or region, with particular priority for those involving researchers and datasets from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Deadline: January 19, 2021.