Deadline: 01-Apr-2026
The Laerdal Foundation Grant Programme supports research-driven initiatives that reduce preventable deaths around the time of birth, as well as from sudden cardiac arrest and trauma. Grants of up to USD 50,000 fund scalable, collaborative projects in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, with application deadlines on April 1 and October 1.
Programme Overview
The Laerdal Foundation is accepting grant applications to support practical, research-based initiatives that reduce preventable deaths and improve outcomes around the time of birth, as well as from sudden cardiac arrest and trauma.
The programme prioritizes projects with impact beyond a single site, demonstrating potential for long-term value, scalability, and replication across regions or countries, particularly in low-resource settings.
Strategic Focus and Priorities
The Foundation gives priority to projects that:
• Demonstrate impact beyond the local level
• Show long-term practical value and sustainability
• Inspire or enable adoption in other regions or countries
• Introduce innovative education and implementation approaches
• Scale up proven concepts through collaboration
Strong local partner engagement and hands-on experience in low-resource contexts are key evaluation factors.
Focus Countries
Projects must be implemented in one or more of the following Laerdal Foundation focus countries:
• Tanzania
• Ethiopia
• Malawi
• Bangladesh
• India
• Nepal
Applications proposing activities outside these countries are not eligible.
Funding Amount and Scale
Grant Size
• Maximum grant per project: USD 50,000
• Average award size: Approximately USD 30,000
• Number of projects funded annually: Up to 20
Allowable Budget Items
Applicants must submit a realistic and detailed budget, which may include:
• Direct research and implementation costs
• Training and education activities
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Project management and coordination
• Institutional overhead or administration (up to 10%)
If the total project budget exceeds the grant amount, the Board will assess the likelihood of securing additional funding from other sources.
Eligible Project Types
Required Research Component
All funded projects must include a research component and focus on preventing avoidable deaths, specifically related to:
• Complications around the time of birth
• Sudden cardiac arrest
• Trauma
Projects should generate evidence that informs practice, policy, or scale-up.
Examples of Relevant Activities
• Maternal and newborn health interventions
• Innovative training for birth attendants or healthcare workers
• Implementation research in low-resource facilities
• Evaluation of scalable education or simulation-based solutions
• Collaborative models that expand proven life-saving practices
Who Can Apply?
Eligible Applicants
• Institutions and organizations conducting research
• Applicants with demonstrated experience in low-resource settings
• Projects with strong local partner involvement
Application Limits
• Each institution may submit a maximum of two applications per year
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are assessed based on:
• Relevance to the Foundation’s life-saving mission
• Scientific and methodological quality
• Potential for scale and replication
• Feasibility and realism of the budget
• Strength of local partnerships
• Likelihood of sustained impact beyond the grant period
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Process
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Confirm project eligibility and country alignment
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Design a research-informed intervention addressing preventable deaths
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Develop a realistic budget (including up to 10% overhead)
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Demonstrate scalability and collaboration potential
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Secure local partner engagement
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Submit the application through the Laerdal Foundation application platform
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Ensure submission before the relevant deadline
Application Deadlines
• April 1
• October 1
Late submissions are not accepted.
Why This Grant Matters
Health Impact
• Supports interventions that save lives at critical moments
• Improves maternal and newborn health outcomes
Systems Strengthening
• Encourages scalable solutions and implementation research
• Builds capacity in low-resource health systems
Global Relevance
• Generates evidence that can influence practice beyond a single country
• Promotes cross-regional learning and replication
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Proposing projects outside the listed focus countries
• Submitting proposals without a clear research component
• Overestimating impact without evidence of scalability
• Weak or token local partner engagement
• Unrealistic budgets or missing co-funding plans
• Exceeding the two-application limit per institution
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main goal of the Laerdal Foundation grant?
To support research-driven initiatives that reduce preventable deaths around birth, from trauma, or sudden cardiac arrest.
2. How much funding can a project receive?
Up to USD 50,000, with an average award of USD 30,000.
3. Which countries are eligible?
Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
4. Is a research component mandatory?
Yes. All applications must include a clear research component.
5. Can overhead costs be included?
Yes. Up to 10% of the grant may be used for institutional overhead or administration.
6. How many applications can one institution submit?
A maximum of two applications per year.
7. How often are applications accepted?
Twice per year, with deadlines on April 1 and October 1.
Conclusion
The Laerdal Foundation Grant Programme offers a significant opportunity to advance life-saving research and implementation in maternal and newborn health and emergency care. By prioritizing scalable, collaborative, and research-driven solutions in high-need countries, the Foundation supports lasting improvements that can influence practice well beyond individual project sites. Applicants with strong local partnerships and realistic, impact-focused proposals should prepare early to meet the April or October deadlines.
For more information, visit Laerdal Foundation.
