Fueling innovation in vaccine supply and delivery

Delivering on the promise of new vaccines to save lives in the developing world requires reliable, well-designed immunization supply systems that can ensure vaccines reach those most in need.

A new call for proposals launched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation builds on work facilitated by Project Optimize—a joint PATH and World Health Organization project—to develop a common vision for the future of immunization supply systems and logistics.

With the help of Project Optimize, a group of stakeholders representing both the public and private sectors met over the course of more than a year to create a vision for immunization supply systems in 2020 and to identify critical gaps that must be addressed to fulfill that vision.

The new round of the Gates Grand Challenges Explorations initiative builds on that work by offering US$100,000 grants for unconventional ideas that address gaps in immunization supply systems to transform how vaccines are delivered in the world’s poorest countries.

Scientists, inventors, nongovernmental organizations, ministries of health, and entrepreneurs around the world are encouraged to submit two-page proposals for novel approaches to address the following areas:

• Vaccine characteristic prioritization.
• Immunization supply system design.
• Environmental impact.
• Information systems.
• Human resources.
• Vaccination acceptance.

Successful projects will have the opportunity to receive additional funding up to $1 million.

The deadline for submissions is November 17, 2011.

• Gates Grand Challenges Explorations.
• Project Optimize.

Posted October 11, 2011.