Deadline: 01-Aug-2026
The Mérieux Foundation small grants program supports locally led health initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of infectious diseases in vulnerable populations. Special emphasis is placed on improving maternal and child health outcomes in resource-limited settings.
The program is designed to strengthen grassroots health systems by funding small, high-impact, community-based interventions.
Core Focus Areas
Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
The program supports initiatives that:
- Combat infectious diseases in developing countries
- Target high-risk and vulnerable populations
- Strengthen local disease prevention strategies
- Improve community-level health responses
Maternal and Child Health
Projects must contribute to:
- Improved maternal health outcomes
- Reduced child morbidity and mortality
- Access to essential healthcare services for mothers and children
- Strengthened early-life health interventions
Local Health System Strengthening
The program prioritizes:
- Locally driven health solutions
- Integration with existing healthcare systems
- Capacity building of community health actors
- Sustainable, long-term health improvements
Ethical and Social Principles
Funded projects must promote:
- Ethical public health practices
- Gender equality in health access and delivery
- Non-discrimination and inclusivity
- Transparency and professional integrity
Grant Value and Structure
- Maximum funding: €5,000 per project
- Application cycles: Two per year
- Purpose: Small-scale, high-impact local initiatives
- Focus: Grassroots implementation rather than large institutional programs
Key Objectives of the Program
The program aims to:
- Support locally identified health priorities
- Strengthen community-based responses to infectious diseases
- Improve maternal and child health indicators
- Encourage sustainable, long-term health solutions
- Reinforce collaboration between local actors and health systems
- Promote ethical and equitable healthcare delivery
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Organizations
Applicants must be:
- Non-profit organizations
- Foundations recognized in the public interest
Legal and Operational Requirements
Organizations must:
- Be officially registered for at least 3 years
- Demonstrate at least 2 years of relevant experience
- Operate independently as non-profit entities
- Maintain clean legal and financial records
- Follow ethical standards defined by the Foundation
Project Eligibility Criteria
Eligible projects must:
- Be implemented by local actors
- Be based on a clear local needs assessment
- Align with existing local health initiatives
- Demonstrate collaboration with:
- Local authorities
- Community associations
- Beneficiary populations
- Include a long-term sustainability plan
- Incorporate gender equality considerations
- Show ethical and responsible implementation
Application Structure (How It Works)
Step 1: Identify Local Health Need
Projects must be based on:
- Documented infectious disease challenges
- Maternal and child health gaps
- Community-identified priorities
Step 2: Design a Local Implementation Plan
Proposals should clearly define:
- Target population
- Health intervention strategy
- Community involvement model
- Expected outcomes
Step 3: Ensure Institutional Eligibility
Applicants must confirm:
- Legal non-profit status
- Minimum operational history
- Alignment with ethical charter requirements
Step 4: Submit Application (Biannual Cycle)
Applications are reviewed during:
- Two annual submission rounds
- Competitive evaluation based on relevance and feasibility
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Relevance to infectious disease burden
- Impact on maternal and child health
- Strength of local engagement
- Sustainability of outcomes
- Ethical compliance and gender sensitivity
- Integration with existing health systems
- Feasibility within small grant scale
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects without strong local implementation partners
- Lack of alignment with maternal and child health priorities
- Weak or missing needs assessment
- Overly large or unrealistic project scope for €5,000 funding
- Insufficient attention to gender equality or ethics
- Limited integration with existing health systems
Tips for a Strong Application
- Focus on small, high-impact interventions
- Clearly demonstrate local ownership and leadership
- Provide strong evidence of community health needs
- Align with existing health infrastructure and programs
- Include measurable health outcomes (e.g., infection reduction, maternal care access)
- Highlight sustainability beyond grant funding
- Ensure strong gender-sensitive design
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the maximum grant amount?
The program provides up to €5,000 per project.
2. What types of projects are funded?
Projects focused on infectious disease control and maternal and child health in developing countries.
3. How often can organizations apply?
There are two application cycles each year.
4. Who can apply for funding?
Registered non-profit organizations or foundations recognized in the public interest with at least 3 years of registration.
5. Is prior experience required?
Yes, organizations must have at least 2 years of relevant activity in the project area.
6. What makes a project competitive?
Strong local engagement, sustainability, ethical design, and alignment with maternal and child health priorities.
7. Can international NGOs apply?
Yes, if they meet eligibility criteria and ensure the project is implemented by local actors.
Conclusion
The Mérieux Foundation small grants program supports locally driven, ethically grounded health initiatives that address infectious diseases and improve maternal and child health in developing regions. By funding small-scale, community-based projects, the program strengthens local health systems and promotes sustainable, equitable health outcomes where they are most needed.
For more information, visit Mérieux Foundation.