Request for Applications - Nexa: From Climate Risk to Health Resilience - Global Climate and Health Innovation Funding Opportunity

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) invites eligible South African researchers, innovators and institutions to take note of the inaugural Nexa: From Climate Risk to Health Resilience funding opportunity.

Nexa is a global climate × health innovation initiative co-led by Grand Challenges Canada and the Science for Africa Foundation, together with a global consortium of funding and innovation partners. The initiative supports bold, locally led solutions that strengthen health systems and improve resilience to climate-related health threats.

The SAMRC participates as South Africa’s member of the Global Grand Challenges Network and as a funding partner in the Nexa Climate and Health Innovation Consortium.

Focus of the Call

The Nexa funding opportunity focuses on innovative solutions that strengthen health systems in response to climate-related health challenges, with emphasis on:

• Climate-informed early warning and monitoring systems
• Climate-responsive patient care delivery
• Climate-sensitive infectious diseases, including malaria and dengue
• Climate-sensitive chronic diseases
• Health impacts of extreme heat and poor air quality

The SAMRC particularly encourages applications aligned with its strategic priorities in climate-sensitive infectious diseases and climate-responsive chronic disease management.

Who Can Apply?

The Nexa funding opportunity is open to eligible organisations developing innovative climate and health solutions.

• Proof of Concept: Applicant organisations must be incorporated, or equivalent, in an eligible country in Africa or in Brazil.
• Transition to Scale: Applicant organisations may be incorporated in any country but must implement their innovation in eligible countries in Africa, Latin America or the Caribbean.

Applicants must review the full Nexa Request for Applications to confirm eligibility before applying.

Funding Streams

• Proof of Concept: Up to USD 200,000 to support bold, early-stage innovations requiring proof of concept.
• Transition to Scale: Approximately USD 250,000 to USD 2 million, depending on the maturity of the innovation.

Funding is provided through Nexa partners in accordance with the programme’s funding framework and partner-specific contracting arrangements. Successful South African applicants may be supported by the SAMRC, in accordance with the Nexa funding framework and the SAMRC’s strategic funding priorities.

Key Dates

Applications open: 22 June 2026
Application deadline: 22 July 2026

Applicant Information Session

The Nexa Applicant Information Session was held on Monday, 6 July 2026 to provide prospective applicants with an overview of the funding opportunity, eligibility criteria, the application process and an opportunity to engage directly with the programme team.

If you were unable to attend, a recording of the session is available here:

Watch the webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyhzfOk5BNs

Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Nexa application process.

Full funding opportunity and guidance:
https://www.nexaclimate.org

Application portal:
https://gcc.fluxx.io/

Application enquiries:
OpenCompetitions@grandchallenges.ca

Important Note

The SAMRC webpage is intended to create awareness of the Nexa funding opportunity and direct South African applicants to the official Nexa application resources. Applicants must consult the official Nexa Request for Applications for full eligibility criteria, application requirements, funding conditions and submission instructions.