Multiplex Platforms to Assess Micronutrient Status, Inflammation and Infectious Disease

About the challenge This Grand Challenges request for proposals (RFP) seeks novel approaches to extend the analytical coverage, sensitivity and specificity of multiplex assays for measuring micronutrient status, inflammation and infectious disease. Vitamins and minerals — collectively referred to as micronutrients — play essential roles in human metabolism and are required for physical growth, cognitive development, immune function and recovery from infection. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries (chiefly women of child-bearing age, especially during pregnancy and lactation, preschool-age children and older adults), constrain social and economic development and limit progress toward good health and well-being.

Micronutrient deficiencies may arise from insufficient dietary intake, from concurrent disease or parasitism, or from genetic traits that affect micronutrient metabolism. Diagnosing their causes, magnitude, severity and population prevalence is essential for designing appropriate treatments and interventions, and for monitoring their effectiveness and safety. Because infection and inflammation impair iron absorption and utilisation, micronutrient status must be assessed together with biomarkers of infection and inflammation. There is also a need to add bioindicators for micronutrients that are infrequently assessed but central to physiology — including vitamins B2 and B12, which are essential for the conversion of folic acid into folate and for many enzymatic reactions.

The challenge Although combined immunological measurement of several micronutrient biomarkers has been demonstrated, current methods have important limitations, including heterogeneity in the composition of standards and controls, inconsistent batch-to-batch performance of analyte-binding molecules, variable reactivity for some analytes (especially soluble transferrin receptor), and functional analytical ranges too narrow to cover physiological values of some analytes such as CRP. The improved assays must combine high analytical specificity, sensitivity and robustness with a functional analytical range matched to physiological values expected in target populations. Assays must remain low-cost (no more than US$20 for all analytes measured in duplicate), require very small sample volumes (preferably less than 10 µL of plasma or serum), and be designed to run many samples in a single batch in a small number of national or regional reference laboratories. The goal is to reduce dependence on expensive, infrequent population surveys and on exporting samples to specialised laboratories in high-income settings.

The challenge is structured around two alternatives: - Alternative A (minimum scope): strengthen and modestly extend the current multiplex test, measuring soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin, RBP4, thyroglobulin, plasma methyl-tetrahydrofolate, holo-transcobalamin, CRP and AGP. - Alternative B (optimistic scope): all Alternative A analytes plus metabolites or proteins associated with vitamin B1 and B2 deficiency and thyroid hormones, with tighter performance and cost targets.

Funding - Alternative A: awards up to US$200,000 per project, with a grant term of up to 12 months; - Alternative B: awards up to US$800,000 per project, with a grant term of up to 24 months. Budgets and terms are evaluated per project and commensurate with scope. Indirect costs may be included up to a maximum of 15% of the total budget.

Eligibility This initiative is open to nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, international organizations, government agencies and academic institutions. Only applicants applying through a legally recognised corporate entity are eligible. Applications led by women or in collaboration with women-led organizations, and applications from or in collaboration with institutions based in low- and middle-income countries, are particularly encouraged. Collaboration among groups working in human metabolism, biomolecule characterisation and immunology is strongly encouraged.

How to apply Familiarise yourself with the supporting documents, including the terms and conditions, Rules and Guidelines, Application Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions. A dedicated webinar was held on 11 August 2026 to provide an overview of the RFP. Submit your proposal through the application portal before the deadline of 8 September 2026 at 11:30 am PDT. The challenge opened on 21 July 2026.