The Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) is pleased to inform the University community of a funding opportunity under the Global Grand Challenges initiative titled “Innovations in Cost-Disruptive Tools for Diagnosis and Screening.” This call seeks to support the development of innovative diagnostic and screening tools that can significantly reduce the cost per test while maintaining high standards of accuracy, speed, and usability. The aim is to make testing more affordable, accessible, and scalable, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where existing diagnostic approaches are often too expensive or difficult to deploy widely.

Key Objectives of the Call

Proposals should aim to:

• Significantly lower the cost per diagnostic test to enable widespread use
• Increase testing frequency and coverage, especially in underserved populations
• Enable early detection and screening at scale
• Reduce reliance on complex laboratory infrastructure and highly skilled personnel
• Support integration into real-world health systems, including community and primary care settings

Scope of Innovations

Applications may include (but are not limited to):

• Novel diagnostic devices, platforms, or assays
• Screening technologies suitable for population-level deployment
• Point-of-care or at-home testing solutions
• Technologies that simplify sample collection, processing, and analysis
• Innovations leveraging digital health, AI, or data systems to enhance diagnostics
• Approaches that improve supply chains, distribution, and access to testing

Solutions must demonstrate:

• Clear cost-disruptive potential
• Feasibility and scalability in LMIC settings
• Strong alignment with real-world implementation needs

Awards

To accommodate different stages of innovation, the call offers multiple award sizes based on the maturity of the proposed technology:

• Option A: Up to USD 300,000 (up to 24 months) – for early-stage feasibility and prototyping
• Option B: Up to USD 500,000 (up to 24 months) – for product refinement and early validation
• Option C: Up to USD 1,000,000 (up to 36 months) – for advanced development toward field readiness

Eligibility

The call is open to:

• Researchers from academic and research institutions
• Innovators from public, private, and non-profit sectors
• Applicants globally, including those based in low- and middle-income countries (including Ghana)

Collaborative teams with expertise in health, engineering, diagnostics, data science, and implementation are strongly encouraged.

 Application Deadline: 28 April 2026 (11:30 AM Pacific Time)

For more information on the call, kindly see the attached or visit: https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/innovations-cost-disruptive-tools-diagnosis-and-screening

RID encourages researchers in biomedical sciences, engineering, diagnostics, public health, and data science to explore this opportunity, particularly those developing innovative, scalable health technologies. Interested applicants are kindly requested to inform RID of their intention to apply to enable institutional guidance and support. Please email rid-grantsmgt@ug.edu.gh, with jobappiah@ug.edu.gh in copy, ahead of the deadline.