Deadline: 10-Apr-2026
The Novartis Foundation and Novartis US Foundation are inviting organizations to submit innovative, scalable solutions through a global social innovation challenge focused on improving cardiovascular health for women. Selected proposals at the RFP stage may receive seed funding ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 500,000, along with 12–18 months of implementation support, expert guidance, and opportunities for cross-country learning across the United States, Germany, and Japan.
About the Opportunity
The Novartis Foundation and Novartis US Foundation have launched a global social innovation challenge to identify and support practical solutions that improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women.
The challenge responds to the fact that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women globally, while women continue to face persistent barriers in symptom recognition, early diagnosis, access to care, and representation in research. The initiative seeks implementation-ready models that can reduce these inequities and improve outcomes across diverse populations.
Focus Areas
The call is looking for solutions that can:
- Address systemic barriers to cardiovascular prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for women
- Improve early detection and risk stratification
- Reduce disparities linked to race, income, geography, and age
- Integrate community-based, data-driven, AI-enabled, behavioral, or care-delivery innovations
- Demonstrate measurable and sustainable social impact
- Show financial and operational sustainability at scale
- Be adaptable across healthcare systems in the United States, Germany, and Japan
What Type of Solutions Are Encouraged?
The challenge emphasizes real-world, implementation-driven models rather than purely research-based proposals.
Strong examples include:
- AI-enabled screening tools for early risk identification
- Gender-specific cardiovascular assessment methods
- Community-based prevention programmes for underserved women
- Models that improve care navigation
- Solutions that reduce diagnostic delays
- Approaches that ensure continuity of care
- Employer-based or payer-based interventions that support sustainable healthcare financing
- Multisector models involving health systems, communities, and technology partners
The initiative also places strong value on:
- Health equity
- Community engagement
- Co-designed solutions
- Scalable implementation
Funding Information
Selected submissions at the RFP stage may receive a Final Award that includes:
- Seed funding between USD 50,000 and USD 500,000
- 12 to 18 months of implementation support
The funding is intended to help de-risk promising models and support their progression toward:
- Follow-on investment
- Institutional adoption
- Integration into policy frameworks
Additional Benefits
Awardees will also receive:
- Access to global cardiovascular and health systems experts
- Guidance on impact measurement and evaluation
- Opportunities for cross-country knowledge exchange
- Support to strengthen implementation and scale readiness
This makes the challenge particularly attractive for organizations that need both funding and strategic support to bring a strong model into wider practice.
Geographic Relevance
Solutions should be designed with adaptability across healthcare systems in:
- United States
- Germany
- Japan
While the challenge is global in scope, applicants should demonstrate how their model can be relevant or transferable within these priority markets.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Public–private partnerships
- Health systems
- Enterprises
- Community-based organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Academic institutions
Collaborative and cross-sector approaches are strongly encouraged, especially where they improve feasibility, equity, and implementation success.
Key Selection Priorities
Competitive proposals are likely to show:
- Clear focus on women’s cardiovascular health
- A strong strategy for equity and underserved populations
- Practical implementation potential
- Evidence of measurable social impact
- Sustainability beyond the grant period
- Potential for scale and adaptation
- Alignment with real healthcare system needs rather than purely academic research
Important Conditions
Applicants should also note that selected proposals must:
- Maintain transparency
- Avoid commercial promotion
- Adhere to strict governance requirements
- Comply with conflict-of-interest policies
Why This Opportunity Matters
This is a high-value opportunity for organizations working at the intersection of women’s health, cardiovascular care, health equity, and social innovation.
What makes it especially significant is that it supports not just ideas, but deployable models with the potential to transform how women’s heart health is approached in practice. With substantial seed funding, implementation support, and expert access, the challenge is well suited for organizations ready to pilot, refine, and scale impactful solutions.
Quick Tips for Applicants
To strengthen your application:
- Focus on a clear implementation model, not just a research concept
- Show how your solution improves early detection, access, or continuity of care
- Demonstrate how the model addresses health inequities
- Explain how the solution can scale financially and operationally
- Highlight any use of AI, data, or community-based design where relevant
- Show why the model could be adapted in the US, Germany, and Japan
- Include strong partnerships if using a collaborative approach
FAQs
1. Who is organizing this social innovation challenge?
The challenge is being launched by the Novartis Foundation and the Novartis US Foundation.
2. What is the main focus of the challenge?
It aims to support innovative and scalable solutions that improve cardiovascular prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for women.
3. How much funding is available?
Selected proposals at the RFP stage may receive USD 50,000 to USD 500,000 in seed funding.
4. Is implementation support included?
Yes. Awardees may receive 12 to 18 months of implementation support, in addition to funding.
5. What types of organizations can apply?
Eligible applicants include public–private partnerships, health systems, enterprises, community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.
6. Are research-only proposals encouraged?
No. The challenge emphasizes implementation-driven solutions rather than purely research-based proposals.
7. Which countries are specifically relevant to this challenge?
Solutions should be adaptable across healthcare systems in the United States, Germany, and Japan.
Conclusion
The Novartis Foundation Social Innovation Challenge on Women’s Heart Health offers a major opportunity for organizations developing practical, scalable solutions to address the persistent inequities women face in cardiovascular care. With potential funding of up to USD 500,000, combined with implementation support, expert guidance, and international learning opportunities, the challenge is especially relevant for organizations ready to move beyond concept-stage ideas and deliver real-world impact. Strong proposals will be those that combine innovation, equity, measurable outcomes, and long-term sustainability in improving women’s cardiovascular health.
For more information, visit Novartis Foundation.
