In 2022, our Stars in Global Health portfolio launched one of the first major funding calls specifically addressing the health impacts of climate change, with support from the Government of Canada and in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council. The funding call resulted in a diverse portfolio addressing urgent challenges across infectious disease, mental health, nutrition, heat stress, and food security.
$6.3 million CAD
deployed to support early-stage testing and implementation
42 seed innovations
selected for funding
778 applications
from 80 countries, including 75% in sub-Saharan Africa
With support from Arm,
three promising innovations
are advancing to the Transition to Scale phase
Driving the global conversation
Building on our early funding experience, we’ve launched the most comprehensive global listening exercise on climate and health to date.
In January 2025, we launched the largest-ever global survey on climate and health, gathering insights in collaboration with the Science for Africa Foundation, The Geneva Learning Foundation, the Global Grand Challenges network, and a network of global dissemination partners. Through the survey, we engaged with over 6,000 respondents worldwide, including frontline health workers, researchers, innovators, and community leaders across low- and middle-income countries.
Led by Dr. Johanna Sanchez, an experienced environmental epidemiologist, our team is working with a panel of global experts to analyze these insights and identify the most promising opportunities for impact. The findings will be published in a global public good report and will be used to inform global discourse and our future investments in this critical space.
“GCC has done something no one else has: taken the time to learn and listen before acting. We’re going to learn so much from this.” — Global Climate and Health Survey respondent
Join us
Our early funding and extensive listening exercises have revealed valuable lessons that will inform future investments, including the importance of local leadership in developing contextually appropriate solutions; the need for integrated approaches that address multiple dimensions of climate impacts; the value of scientific rigour combined with community engagement and the potential for catalytic funding to unlock innovation where traditional funding falls short.
We’re building a coalition of partners to co-create a new challenge on climate and health, building on the lessons from the Global Climate and Health Survey. If you’re interested in helping shape the future of climate and health innovation, let’s talk.
Contact Johanna Sanchez, Climate and Health Lead: climate@grandchallenges.ca
Dr. Johanna Sanchez
Global Climate and Health Lead