Objective:

This Grand Challenge on Randomized Controlled Trial on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Reproductive Tract Sequelae in Non-Pregnant Women aims to fill critical gaps in understanding of the risk of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and related sequelae attributable to STIs and to evaluate the impact of etiologic STI screening and treatment on morbidity. The study should provide insight into the risk of outcomes following infection with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or trichomoniasis and the impact and cost-effectiveness of etiologic screening to prevent morbidity. PID must be the primary outcome.

Deadline for application:

July 7, 2025, 11:30 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time

Eligibility criteria:

• Open to nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, international organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions.
• Proposals must feature a randomized controlled trial (RCT) or a comparably rigorous prospective study design conducted in sub-Saharan African settings.
• Global applicants are encouraged to apply if the research focuses on populations and settings within sub-Saharan Africa.
• Projects must not include pregnant women at baseline or restrict the study population based on HIV status without justification.
• PID must be the primary outcome.
• Projects must not propose purely observational, retrospective, or modeling-only designs.

Eligible countries:

Trial sites must be based in sub-Saharan Africa.

Project duration:

Up to 48 months

Grant amount:

$8 million to $10 million USD per project
(Indirect costs are allowable and should be included within the total requested funding, subject to the Gates Foundation’s indirect cost policy.)

Contact:

grandchallenges@gatesfoundation.org

Link to the website:

Randomized Controlled Trial on STI Infections