CFPs: Innovations in Low-Cost and Simplified Pathogen Sequencing Workflows Program

Deadline: 29-Sep-2026

Grand Challenges, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, Temasek Foundation, and the United Nations Foundation, is inviting proposals for innovative, low-cost pathogen sequencing workflows that can be routinely used in public health laboratories in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative offers awards of up to US$800,000 for projects developing scalable, simplified, and affordable sequencing approaches for pathogen surveillance and outbreak response. What Is the Grand Challenges Pathogen Sequencing Initiative? The initiative aims to overcome major barriers that prevent routine pathogen genomic sequencing in LMICs. Although genomic sequencing can provide valuable information for disease surveillance and outbreak response, many public health laboratories face challenges related to: Difficulties adapting workflows to different pathogens and sequencing platforms. The program seeks technological and operational innovations that can make pathogen sequencing cheaper, simpler, faster, and easier to deploy routinely. Why This Initiative Matters Pathogen genomic sequencing can help public health authorities understand how infectious diseases spread, identify emerging variants, monitor outbreaks, and improve disease-control strategies. However, sequencing systems designed for high-resource environments may not be practical for many laboratories in LMICs. This initiative therefore focuses on developing workflows that are appropriate for real-world public health settings. The target is to reduce the per-sample cost to approximately US$1–10, while simplifying the overall sequencing process. What Types of Innovations Are Sought? Proposals should develop practical solutions that address one or more barriers to routine pathogen sequencing.

Priority areas include:

Cost reduction: Developing substantially cheaper sequencing workflows and sample-processing approaches.

Workflow simplification: Reducing the number of complex laboratory steps.

Platform compatibility: Designing workflows that can work across different sequencing technologies.

Faster turnaround: Reducing the time between sample collection and usable genomic results.

Scalability: Creating approaches that can be expanded for routine public health surveillance.

Pathogen adaptability: Developing workflows that can be adapted to multiple pathogen types.

LMIC suitability: Ensuring solutions can function under infrastructure and resource constraints common in LMIC laboratories.

Priority Pathogens The initiative is not limited to one pathogen category.

Proposed workflows may address:

Viral pathogens. Bacterial pathogens. Parasitic pathogens. Other priority pathogens relevant to public health surveillance and outbreak response. Projects should demonstrate how their approach could potentially be adapted across pathogens or sequencing platforms where relevant. Funding Available The program uses a tiered funding structure based on the maturity of the proposed innovation. Early-Stage Feasibility Projects

Funding: Up to US$300,000

Duration: Up to 24 months

Focus: Early-stage feasibility and proof of concept.

These projects are appropriate for promising approaches that require initial testing and validation. Mid-Stage Development Projects

Funding: Up to US$600,000

Duration: Up to 24 months

Focus: Development and optimization of the proposed sequencing workflow.

Projects at this stage should have sufficient preliminary evidence to justify further technical development. Advanced Development and Validation Projects

Funding: Up to US$800,000

Duration: Up to 36 months

Focus: Advanced development, validation, and demonstration of practical applicability.

These projects should be positioned to demonstrate that the technology can work reliably in realistic public health settings. Approximately 15 awards are expected across all three funding tiers. What Should a Strong Proposal Demonstrate? A competitive proposal should clearly explain both the technological innovation and its public health application.

Applicants should demonstrate:

A clear problem with existing pathogen sequencing workflows. A genuinely innovative solution. A credible pathway to reduce per-sample costs. Simplified laboratory procedures. Compatibility with relevant sequencing platforms. Potential for reduced turnaround time. A practical proof-of-concept or validation strategy. This broad eligibility allows the initiative to support innovations emerging from universities, research laboratories, biotechnology companies, public-sector institutions, and international organizations. Who Is Not Eligible? Applicants must meet applicable sanctions and organizational eligibility requirements. The provided eligibility conditions exclude: Individuals. Organizations classified as individuals for U.S. tax purposes. Organizations subject to applicable UN sanctions. Organizations subject to applicable U.S. sanctions. Organizations deriving revenue from controversial weapons production. Organizations deriving revenue from tobacco production. Applicants should carefully verify their organizational status and compliance before submitting a proposal. How the Funding Can Support Innovation The funding is intended to move sequencing concepts toward practical public health use. Depending on the development stage, projects may focus on activities such as: Laboratory workflow development. Protocol optimization. Proof-of-concept testing. Cost reduction research. Platform compatibility testing. Pathogen validation. Turnaround-time optimization. Workflow standardization. Field or laboratory validation. Demonstration in LMIC public health environments. The appropriate activities will depend on the maturity of the proposed technology and the selected funding tier. How to Develop a Strong Application Applicants should structure their proposal around the central question: How will this innovation make pathogen sequencing affordable and practical for routine public health use in LMICs? A use