Request for Proposals for Indian Council of Medical Research and Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Funding 2026, The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, has launched a Grand Challenge Request for Proposals (RFP) aimed at supporting the development of innovative nutrient-dense food products for adolescent girls and women of reproductive age (WRA) to help prevent anaemia. Through this initiative, researchers, innovators, startups, academic institutions, and other eligible organizations are invited to design, prototype, and evaluate food solutions that are both nutritionally effective and appealing to the target population.

Proposed products may focus on one or multiple life stages and should be tailored to meet the nutritional requirements, preferences, and consumption habits of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. The challenge seeks to create a strong pipeline of execution-ready food products that deliver adequate iron and other essential nutrients while ensuring high consumer acceptance, affordability, and ease of regular consumption. In addition, selected solutions should demonstrate the potential for large-scale implementation across diverse geographical and socio-economic settings in India, contributing to sustainable efforts to reduce the burden of anaemia among women and girls.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.

Last Date of Submission: 3^rd July 2026

Glimpse of Target Population for Request for Proposals for Indian Council of Medical Research and Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Funding 2026

Areas of Interest for Request for Proposals for Indian Council of Medical Research and Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Funding 2026

Areas of Interest

The Grand Challenge seeks innovative and practical solutions that can address multiple aspects of nutrition, consumer behaviour, product design, and large-scale implementation. Proposals are encouraged to focus on one or more of the following priority areas:

1. Product Development and Innovation

Applicants are encouraged to develop nutrient-rich or fortified food products that can effectively deliver essential micronutrients, particularly iron. Preference will be given to solutions that utilize highly bioavailable nutrient forms and complementary ingredients that enhance nutrient absorption. Proposed products may include popular formats such as snack bars, bites, chikkis, savoury snacks, ready-to-drink beverages, powdered drink mixes, gummies, chewables, sprinklers, and other convenient food or supplement hybrids. The use of locally relevant ingredients and flavours, including millets, seeds, spices, and plant-based nutrient sources, is highly encouraged.

2. Aspirational and Consumer-Focused Design

Products should be positioned as attractive lifestyle choices rather than medicinal interventions. The challenge welcomes concepts that incorporate modern branding, aspirational messaging, and identity-driven appeal tailored to adolescent girls and women. Proposals should also demonstrate strategies to reduce stigma around nutritional supplementation and create a strong sense of ownership and engagement among consumers. Solutions that recognize the varying preferences of different age groups are particularly desirable.

3. Behavioural and Social Insights

Strong proposals will incorporate behavioural science and social insights into product design and adoption strategies. Applicants should consider existing eating habits and consumption patterns instead of requiring significant behavioural changes. Solutions should address social influences, cultural norms, peer pressure, and feelings of guilt often associated with food consumption. Additionally, proposals should account for the common tendency of consumers to prioritize taste and convenience over long-term health benefits.

4. Nutritional Impact and Bioavailability

Proposed products should demonstrate the ability to provide meaningful nutritional benefits, including approximately 4–5 mg of iron per serving. Consideration should be given to common dietary patterns, particularly vegetarian diets where nutrient bioavailability may be limited. Preference will be given to solutions that show potential to improve iron status and contribute to measurable increases in haemoglobin levels among target populations.

5. Scalability, Delivery, and Sustainability

Applicants should present practical approaches for scaling their solutions across diverse settings in India. This may include integration with public delivery systems such as schools and community-based programs, as well as commercial distribution channels including retail stores and e-commerce platforms. Proposals should also demonstrate cost-effective manufacturing, sustainable pricing models, adequate shelf life, nutrient stability, and the feasibility of local production and supply chains.

6. Packaging, Branding, and Market Readiness

The challenge encourages products with visually appealing, contemporary, and socially shareable packaging. Communication of product benefits should be clear, credible, and consumer-friendly. Solutions should avoid classification as high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products or highly ultra-processed foods. Preference will be given to products that fit naturally within mainstream food categories rather than being marketed solely as nutritional supplements. Smaller portion sizes integrated into familiar food formats are also encouraged, making daily consumption easier and more convenient without requiring significant changes in eating habits.

Funding and Timeline Details for Request for Proposals for Indian Council of Medical Research and Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Funding 2026

Component Details

Grant Amount: Up to ₹1 Crore

Duration: 1 Year

Purpose: Prototype development

Applications for all Grand Challenge RFPs are due by 3rd July 2026. Full details are available at the application portal. A dedicated webinar will be held to provide additional context and answer questions, with recordings shared afterward

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations from diverse sectors are encouraged to participate in this Grand Challenge, provided they possess the expertise and capacity to develop innovative nutrition solutions for adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. Eligible applicants include the following categories:

Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant technical capabilities, innovation potential, and the ability to develop scalable solutions that can contribute to improving nutritional outcomes among adolescent girls and women of reproductive age in India.

How to apply and Important Dates

The table below highlights the key milestones and deadlines associated with the ICMR–Gates Foundation Grand Challenge. Interested applicants are advised to submit their proposals well before the closing date to avoid any last-minute issues.

Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below

Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link

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