Applications are now open for the Nexa Climate and Health Innovation Funding Opportunity, a major initiative supporting high-impact solutions that respond to the growing link between climate change and public health risks across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

This funding call is designed to support innovators developing practical, scalable solutions that help health systems respond faster and more effectively to climate-driven threats.

About the Opportunity

Nexa is a climate and health initiative co-led by Grand Challenges Canada and the Science for Africa Foundation, together with global partners. The program invests in innovations that help frontline health systems translate climate risk information into real-time action.

The focus is on reducing health impacts caused by:

• Extreme heat events
• Poor air quality
• Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue
• Climate-sensitive disease outbreaks

The goal is to strengthen how local health actors prepare for, detect, and respond to climate-related health emergencies.

Focus Areas

Applicants must design solutions that address at least one of the following:

1. Climate-Informed Early Warning Systems

Solutions that help health systems anticipate and respond to climate-related health risks, such as:

• Heatwave early warning tools
• Air quality monitoring systems
• Disease outbreak prediction (malaria, dengue)
• Climate-health data integration platforms
• AI-driven health risk forecasting
• Mosquito ecology surveillance systems

2. Climate-Responsive Health Service Delivery

Innovations that improve healthcare response during climate shocks, including:

• Heat-related illness treatment tools
• Respiratory care solutions linked to air pollution
• Rapid response systems for outbreaks
• Patient triage and diagnostic support tools
• Climate-adapted healthcare delivery models
• Continuity-of-care systems during extreme weather events

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• NGOs and non-profit organizations
• For-profit companies and social enterprises
• Research and academic institutions
• Government and public sector organizations

Key Requirements

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate a clear connection between climate change and health outcomes
• Have a legally registered and active organization
• Show technical capacity to implement the project
• Provide evidence of feasibility or early impact (especially for scale-up funding)
• Include a clear implementation and evaluation plan
• Be prepared to work in climate-vulnerable communities

Priority Health Challenges

The program focuses on innovations addressing:

• Malaria and dengue
• Heat-related illnesses
• Air pollution-related health conditions
• Respiratory diseases
• Climate-sensitive chronic conditions
• Healthcare disruptions during extreme weather

What Makes a Strong Application

Successful proposals usually:

• Clearly define a climate-health problem and solution
• Use data, AI, or digital tools to support health decision-making
• Show evidence of early success or feasibility
• Target vulnerable and high-risk populations
• Include a realistic scaling strategy
• Demonstrate strong partnerships with health actors

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 22 July 2026 – 2:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. UTC).