Research funding to address pressing global challenges

The world’s most pressing challenges disproportionately affect those living in low-income countries. ETH4D’s Research Challenges and Pilot Grants fund the development of solutions for these challenges and improve the lives of people who experience them. Apply by 21 April.

A woman points to a piece of paper on the table while other people listen and also look at the table
Research underway in S?o Tomé and Príncipe as part of Anne Giger Dray’s ETH4D Pilot Grant project.  (Image: Anne Giger Dray / ETH Zurich)

Despite unprecedented progress in poverty reduction, well over half the world’s population still lives on less than 10 USD per day, without adequate access to food, drinking water, electricity, mobility, and other basic services. Technological innovation can play a large role in addressing these global challenges, but its potential remains largely untapped.

Research and innovation for global sustainable development

ETH4D Research Challenges offer funding of up to 200’000 CHF to develop innovations which improve the lives of people living in a low- or lower-middle income country. ETH4D Pilot Grants fund up to 20’000 CHF for the exploration of new collaborations. Both grants are open to applications across all disciplines, comprising an ETH professor, a non-academic partner and a partner from the low- or lower-middle income country of focus.

Since 2020, 31 projects have received funding, spanning topics from an AI teaching assistant in Ghana, to low-cost STI diagnosis in Zambia, to affordable, sensor-based monitoring of critical highway infrastructure.

Current Call

The call is open until 21 April 2025. Find all information on the ETH4D website. Further questions can be directed to Francis Baranyk, Programme Manager of Grants and Exchanges: .

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