20/08/2020

Program funds data science projects with R$ 550,000.

The Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) – Brazil has an open call for Brazilian data science projects that seek to improve maternal and child health, women's health, and children's health. Up to R$ 550,000 will be funded for innovative proposals that use database analysis and machine learning to understand the main factors impacting maternal and child health in the country and propose solutions. The call is from the Ministry of Health , in partnership with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) , and in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Council of State Foundations for Research Support (Confap) .

Applications are open until September 28th, and projects must be submitted in Portuguese and English to CNPq using the online proposal form available on the Carlos Chagas Platform . Projects that consider the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child health are encouraged. Proponents must have a formal link with a Brazilian research institution, which must be registered in the CNPq Directory of Institutions. For any questions regarding applications, please consult the CNPq website .

Researchers will be able to consult databases linked to DATASUS/MS, the Applied Data Science Platform for Health (PCDaS/FIOCRUZ), and the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, CIDACS/FIOCRUZ. More information about the data available on the three platforms can be accessed at this link .

In 2018, the first CGE call for proposals in data science funded 14 projects in the area of maternal and child health. The projects used data cross-referencing and visualization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to generate information that would allow for the evaluation of existing policies and the creation of new programs in the area of women's and children's health. One of the selected projects was the creation of the Early Childhood Friendly Municipality Index (IMAPI), which evaluates environments conducive to early childhood development in Brazilian municipalities.

ABOUT THE GRAND CHALLENGES EXPLORATIONS

In 2007, the Gates Foundation launched Grand Challenges Explorations to connect innovators around the world more quickly. Twice a year, Grand Challenges Explorations accepts proposals for high-risk, high-reward projects across a series of challenges. In Brazil, a partnership with State Research Support Foundations (FAPs) provides additional financial support to innovators from their states whose ideas are selected by the program.