The Gates Foundation announced Round 9 of its Grand Challenges Explorations initiative, described s a US$100 million grant initiative encouraging innovation in global health and development research. Proposals are being accepted through May 15, 2012 around “a new kind of topic this round, which challenges people to find new ways to tell the story of development aid and the powerful impact it can have around the world.”

Topics for Grand Challenges Explorations Round 9:

– Aid is Working. Tell the World (new!) – in partnership with Cannes Lions

– New Approaches for the Interrogation of Anti-malarial Compounds (new!)

– Protect Crop Plants From Biotic Stresses From Field to Market

– Design New Approaches to Optimize Immunization Systems

– Explore New Solutions for Global Health Priority Areas

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/press-releases/Pages/gce-round-9.aspx