Posts By: Grand Challenges Canada

Bidding Farewell to GCC’s Summer Fellows – Reflections and Advice from the 2023 Cohort!

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As summer comes to an end, Grand Challenges Canada is bidding a bittersweet farewell to the latest cohort of Fellows who brought so much fresh perspective and experience to each of their teams. A group of knowledgeable, passionate and innovative young people, they made invaluable contributions to GCC’s mission, and never ceased to amaze us […]

The Health Finance Coalition welcomes an ecosystem catalyst grant of $500,000 CAD from Grand Challenges Canada

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We are delighted to announce that the Health Finance Coalition (HFC) has received an ecosystem catalyst grant of CAD $500,000 from Grand Challenges Canada. This critical investment will help strengthen health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. While Africa is home to 16 percent of the global population and 23 percent of the global burden of disease, […]

Grand Challenges Canada Celebrates Appointment of Karlee Silver as CEO, Bids Farewell with Gratitude to Co-CEO Jocelyn Mackie

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Toronto, Canada – June 27, 2023 – Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) announced the appointment of Dr. Karlee Silver as CEO, effective September 11, 2023. The board expressed its gratitude to co-CEO, Ms. Jocelyn Mackie, who has decided to step down and embark on her next adventure after 11 years with the organization. Under their leadership […]

Ghana Health Service and partners issue call for African innovations to address maternal and newborn health

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— Country Innovation Platform Ghana Pilot will support local innovations with $2MCAD in seed funding to address maternal and newborn health in six priority regions across Ghana —   June 14, 2023 (Accra) — Ghana Health Service (GHS), in partnership with USAID’s Center for Innovation and Impact (CII) and USAID/Ghana, Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), AMP […]

Health Finance Coalition Announces First Close of AfricInvest Managed Transform Health Fund

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Washington, DC, June 7, 2023– The Health Finance Coalition today announced the close of the first $50 million for the pan-African Transform Health Fund (THF) managed by AfricInvest. With the first close, the THF will begin investing in innovative models to improve access, affordability, resilience, and quality of healthcare in Africa. The Fund is a […]

GCC-funded smartphone blood pressure innovation, OPTiBP, receives recognition by WHO

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High blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with a multitude of maternal health risks, including pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and early death. Women with a history of high blood pressure during pregnancy have more than twice the risk of premature death from heart disease making it essential to measure and track blood pressure, especially in low-resource settings […]

Devex: Grand Challenges Canada and other non-profits embrace the four-day work week

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Increasingly, there’s been buzz around the idea of moving away from the traditional 9-5, Monday-Friday work model, especially in innovative sectors and non-profit organizations. With more employees working from home, growing discussions around employee mental health and work-life balance, and growing disenchantment with the five-day work week model, the four-day work week has been hailed […]

Lessons from Jacaranda Health: Successfully Scaling Maternal Health Innovation in Kenya

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Disclaimer: This piece discusses pregnancy and motherhood; while we use the term “mother” throughout the piece to mirror the language of the community we are collaborating with; we also acknowledge that not all pregnant people identify as “mothers.” We would like to recognize that pregnancy and motherhood can be experienced by people of all genders. […]