Development Innovation Fund
Tackling grand challenges in global health
The Government of Canada established the Development Innovation Fund (DIF) in 2008. As announced in that year’s federal budget, the Fund aims to
“… support the best minds in the world as they search for breakthroughs in global health and other areas that have the potential to bring about enduring changes in the lives of millions of people in poor countries.”
A three-party consortium manages the fund. It includes IDRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Grand Challenges Canada (GCC):
- GCC was created in 2008 to implement and manage research programs supported by DIF.
- CIHR is responsible for issuing Requests for Proposals. It also oversees and administers the peer-review of all proposals received.
- IDRC administers the DIF funds and accounts directly to the Canadian government for the DIF.
Grand Challenges Canada
GCC’s vision is to develop a consortium of world-leading Canadian and international scientists, research organizations, and business sector leaders. GCC is operated from the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health in Toronto. Its Chief Executive Officer is Dr Peter Singer.
GCC has developed a unique approach to deliver its research programs. Called “Integrated InnovationTM”, it is a novel framework for global health research that includes technical, commercial, and social issues in all aspects of its work.
Consult the GCC website for a full description of DIF-supported research programs, as well as all current and past funded proposals.