Request for Applications: Accelerating Innovation in Vaginal Formulations in Support of Women’s Health
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Grand Challenges (GC) partners including GC Africa, GC Brazil, GC India, and GC South Africa, is pleased to announce the launch of this initiative. Through our Grand Challenges South Africa program, we are inviting applications for projects aimed at catalyzing innovation in vaginal drug delivery formulations to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health.
This RFP seeks innovative approaches to vaginally administered products that:
- Leverage the biology of the vaginal microenvironment to support novel drug delivery technologies.
- Promote user appeal and self-care capability.
- Include end-user input to ensure products meet women’s needs, preferences, and cultural contexts.
Objectives of the Challenge
- Leverage biology for vaginally administered products – Develop innovative formulations or components that enhance vaginal health and support scalable, low-cost manufacturing.
- Define characteristics of an ideal vaginal product – Conduct qualitative studies to identify features most appealing to women, including ancillary benefits such as odor control or sexual enhancement.
Funding Level
This RFP provides grants of up to USD $250,000 (~R4.5 million) per project, for a duration of up to 2 years.
Geography and Eligibility
- Projects must be based in South Africa and led by South African principal investigators (citizens or permanent residents).
- Global partners may be included, but at least 80% of the funding must be allocated to organizations in South Africa.
- Research institutes, NGOs, academic institutions, government agencies, and for-profit companies are eligible, with priority for women-led and LMIC-based collaborations.
Access to Full RFP Document: Full RFP Document
The complete Request for Proposals (RFP) document, including detailed eligibility criteria, submission templates, and evaluation guidelines, is available online.
Application Submission
All applications must be submitted directly through the SAMRC/Grand Challenges South Africa online portal (RedCap): GCSA Women's Health Innovation Call. (Submissions via email or any other method will not be accepted).
Applicants are required to complete the following within the portal: GCSA Women's Health Innovation Call
- Project Proposal – Complete all registration fields, including the Applicant Profile.
- Uploads – Applicants must provide the following documents:
- Full Proposal – Proposal Template (Signed by the institution)
- Budget – Upload as a Microsoft Excel or PDF file using the official budget template provided in the RFP.
- Curriculum Vitae (CVs) – Upload CVs for the Principal Investigator and all Co-investigators.
Important Dates
- Applications Due: Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 8:30 p.m. SAST.
Additional Information
- Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
- SAMRC will monitor eligibility and provide guidance, but all proposals must be submitted via the portal.
- Applicants should reference the RFP overview, rules and guidelines, and application instructions when preparing submissions.
Contact for South Africa–Specific Queries:
Karabo Kgomo | SAMRC Karabo.Kgomo@mrc.ac.za