Deadline: 16-Dec-22

The Science for Africa Foundation requests proposals for Strengthening the Contraceptive R&D Ecosystem in Africa: Accelerating Innovations in Non-Hormonal Contraception for Women.

This RFP seeks innovations that contribute to development of safe and effective non-hormonal contraceptives that meet the needs and interests of women and that address key barriers in accessing and using currently available methods. They are seeking non-hormonal contraceptives that are easy to access, discreet, convenient, and non-invasive. Additionally, it is important that these methods have tolerable side effects and do not impact the menstrual cycle.  This work will be led by Grand Challenges Africa, a program of the Science for Africa Foundation with funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Goals

• The ultimate goal is development of novel non-hormonal female contraceptives that:
  • provide safe and effective contraception,
  • do not contain sex steroid hormones or rely on hormonal mechanisms of action (e.g., do not impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis),
  • do not disrupt endogenous menstrual bleeding patterns, and
  • are suitable and appropriate for use in LMICs.
• The overall goal is to reduce the unmet need for contraception by enhancing contraceptive uptake, continuation, and satisfaction among reproductive aged adolescent girls and women who want to avoid pregnancy. Contraceptive product innovation is required to achieve this goal.

Objectives

Advance novel and bold ideas that accelerate development of new non-hormonal female contraceptive candidates aligned with women’s preferences that are currently unmet. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Formulation development or advances in materials science with application to non-hormonal female contraception
• Pre-clinical development of non-hormonal female contraceptive candidates/leads
• Development and/or testing of novel or optimized drug delivery systems with application to non-hormonal female contraceptives

Funding Information

This Grand Challenges request for proposals intends to fund awards of up to USD $350,000 and for up to 2 years, based on the scope of the proposed project.

What they are looking for?

• Are led by a PI based at an African institution, including Africa-led for-profit companies based in Africa. Demonstrate that at least 90% of the funding is going to support one or more African institution(s).
• Engage scientists across a variety of disciplines, including those new to the field of contraceptive R&D.
• Enhance the research ecosystem for contraceptive R&D and strengthen the contraceptive R&D network on the African continent.
• Demonstrate innovative thinking by applying or incorporating concepts, methods or technologies not necessarily currently being used for contraceptive R&D.
• Present concepts and strategies that are “off the beaten track”, significantly radical in conception, and daring in premise.
• They particularly encourage applications involving projects led by women or from women-led organizations and applications.

For more information, visit https://scienceforafrica.foundation/funding/strengthening-the-contraceptive-r-and-d-ecosystem-in-Africa