Open
Grand Challenges Canada
Funding challenges for innovations that save and improve lives
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Have a bold idea for an innovation that will save and improve lives? Apply to the challenges that are posted and get funding to bring your idea to vulnerable populations.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Other Education
- Research
- Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- International Activities
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- New immigrants & refugees
- Women & girls
- Community leaders
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and implementation of innovative initiatives to improve mental health and wellbeing among underserved youth aged 10 to 24 in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on prevention and promotion rather than clinical treatment.
- Projects that address early drivers of youth mental health, such as family functioning, safe environments in schools or communities, prevention of violence, bullying, and substance use, or reduction of stigma related to mental health.
- Initiatives that create supportive, community-driven, and culturally sensitive approaches to youth mental health, including school-based or family-oriented programs.
- Activities that foster coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to implement or improve youth mental health policies, integrate mental health into educational settings, or strengthen national and regional mental health ecosystems.
- Projects that engage young people and individuals with lived experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of mental health solutions.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Social enterprises
- Non-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Limited liability companies
- Research and academic institutions
Who is not eligible
Being will not fund certain projects and organizations based on their main activities or compliance with specific guidelines. Here are the restrictions related to types of companies or activities that are not eligible for this grant.
- Projects implemented in countries outside of the 12 priority countries.
- Projects focusing on mental health treatment and care, such as reducing symptom severity for youth with mental health conditions or capacity building of health professionals to deliver treatment and care.
- All projects for which the core intellectual property rights are owned by a third-party institution, unless specific conditions regarding intellectual property are met.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for employees directly involved in the project.
- Subcontractor fees for external services (e.g., consultants, facilitators, technical advisors, translators, researchers).
- Travel costs directly related to project implementation, including participation in required meetings.
- Purchase, rental, or maintenance of goods, assets, and supplies needed for the project (e.g., workshop materials, tablets, training manuals, PPE).
- Purchase of equipment with a useful life over one year and a value above CAD $500 per unit (e.g., laptops, projectors).
- Administrative costs directly related to the project (e.g., participant stipends, bank fees, telecommunications, printing, translation, meeting and workshop costs, office space and utilities, publication fees, ethical approval costs).
- Sub-granting to external partner organizations required for project delivery.
- Indirect/overhead costs up to 10% of direct costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations legally incorporated and based in any country are eligible to apply.
- Projects must be implemented in at least one of the following 12 priority countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, or Vietnam.
Additional information
- Applications can be submitted in English or French, and the quality of language will not affect evaluation unless clarity is compromised.
- Orygen provides technical support, learning opportunities, and venture advisory services to funded projects as the Being learning and support provider.
- Applicants are encouraged to utilize Grand Challenges Canada’s Innovator Toolbox, including resources related to gender equality and monitoring/evaluation planning.
- Being-funded projects are expected to participate in peer-to-peer learning activities within the program ecosystem.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grand Challenges Canada Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Grand Challenges Canada. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Grand Challenges Canada?
Have a bold idea for an innovation that will save and improve lives? Apply to the challenges that are posted and get funding to bring your idea to vulnerable populations.
How much funding can be received?
Grand Challenges Canada Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Grand Challenges Canada program?
To be eligible for the Grand Challenges Canada program, you must:
Organizations must be legally incorporated and able to receive and administer funding.
Projects must be implemented in at least one of the 12 specified priority countries.
Ineligible applicants include individuals, sole proprietorships, unincorporated trusts/partnerships, government organizations, and UN country offices.
What expenses are eligible under Grand Challenges Canada?
Development and implementation of innovative initiatives to improve mental health and wellbeing among underserved youth aged 10 to 24 in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on prevention and promotion rather than clinical treatment.
Projects that address early drivers of youth mental health, such as family functioning, safe environments in schools or communities, prevention of violence, bullying, and substance use, or reduction of stigma related to mental health.
Initiatives that create supportive, community-driven, and culturally sensitive approaches to youth mental health, including school-based or family-oriented programs.
Activities that foster coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to implement or improve youth mental health policies, integrate mental health into educational settings, or strengthen national and regional mental health ecosystems.
Projects that engage young people and individuals with lived experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of mental health solutions.
Who can I contact for more information about the Grand Challenges Canada?
You can contact Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) by email at info@being-initiative.org.
Where is the Grand Challenges Canada available?
The Grand Challenges Canada program is available across Canada.
Is the Grand Challenges Canada a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Grand Challenges Canada is a Grant and Funding