The Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) is pleased to inform the University community of a funding opportunity under the Global Grand Challenges initiative titled “Novel Interventions Targeting Placental and Gut Inflammation to Improve Fetal Growth.” The call seeks to support the development of innovative, biologically grounded interventions that target inflammation in the gut–placenta pathway in order to improve fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes. It aims to advance safe, practical, and scalable solutions, especially for low- and middle-income countries, where fetal growth restriction remains a major public health challenge.

 Funding Tracks and Awards

The call is structured across three distinct tracks, aligned with stages of innovation:

• Track 1: Mechanism and Target Discovery
  • Focus: Identification and validation of biological pathways and targets
  • Funding: Up to USD 400,000
  • Duration: Up to 18 months
• Track 2: Candidate Validation and Translational Advancement
  • Focus: Preclinical and translational validation of a defined intervention candidate
  • Funding: Up to USD 750,000
  • Duration: Up to 24 months
• Track 3: Early Clinical Proof-of-Concept (POC)
  • Focus: Early human studies demonstrating safety, feasibility, and biological activity
  • Funding: Up to USD 1,000,000
  • Duration: Up to 30 months

Projects must include clear milestones, biomarkers, and go/no-go decision criteria to guide progression.

Scope of Interventions

Proposals may include:

• Drug-based or repurposed therapeutics targeting inflammatory or oxidative stress pathways
• Microbiome-informed approaches (e.g., probiotics, bioactive compounds, gut-targeted therapies)
• Host-directed therapies addressing immune dysregulation
• Interventions improving placental function and nutrient transport
• Integrated approaches addressing the gut–placenta inflammatory axis

Projects must:

• Be grounded in a clear mechanistic hypothesis
• Demonstrate measurable biological effects (e.g., biomarkers, fetal growth proxies)
• Show feasibility and scalability in LMIC settings

Eligibility

The call is open to:

• Universities and academic institutions
• Research organisations and laboratories
• Private sector and biotech companies
• Non-profit and international organisations
• Consortia and multidisciplinary teams

Applicants are global, with strong encouragement for collaboration with LMIC institutions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

For full call details, kindly refer to the attached documents or visit: https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/challenge/novel-interventions-targeting-placental-and-gut-inflammation-improve-fetal-growth

RID encourages researchers in maternal and child health, immunology, microbiology, nutrition, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, and translational research to explore this opportunity. 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.