Grant Opportunities to tackle the Coronavirus Outbreak

(Updated April 21, 2020)

The outbreak of new coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) is causing respiratory illness worldwide, prompting the WHO to declare the condition as a global pandemic. The virus has spread to more than 135 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, thus putting the world’s economy in survival mode.

The outbreak is already infecting economies and financial markets around the world. While governments try to navigate the fine line between being prepared and setting off panic, the economic costs are growing as countries and communities try to control the spread of the disease. As the world further shuts down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, countries around the world are stepping up efforts to tackle the new coronavirus that has killed thousands.

Seeing this emergency, the international organizations and Foundations have released funding calls for health NGOs, NPOs, Researchers and Individuals to help control this pandemic disease. Therefore, we have compiled a list of recently opened funding opportunities for you to fight the coronavirus outbreak that hit nations globally.

UNDP and Hackster.io launch Global Innovation Challenge to tackle COVID-19
The United Nations Development Programme Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development announces the COVID-19 detect and protect challenge. As COVID-19 has shown, challenge and crisis cross borders – impacting everywhere on Earth. However, innovation and ingenuity are not constrained by geography. The COVID-19 Detect and Protect Challenge is an opportunity to find and apply the best and brightest of humanity, wherever it may be found…[more]

Applications Open for COVID-19 Business Pivot Challenge
This Challenge offers an open and collaborative space to develop solutions, post inspiration, gather feedback, and find partners. The OpenIDEO team will be in the Challenge to uncover opportunities to connect participants based upon their interests and needs. While the Challenge is currently a 3-week sprint, they believe this will be just the start…[more]

Lumiata COVID-19 Global AI Hackathon
Lumiata is inviting data scientists, machine learning practitioners, developers, health IT professionals, public health experts and others around the globe, to participate in the Lumiata COVID-19 Global AI Hackathon….[more]

AXA Research Fund seeking Proposals for “Mitigating risk in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic”
The AXA Research Fund has announced an Exceptional Flash Call for Proposals for Mitigating risk in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The mission is to support outstanding researchers committed to improving peoples’ lives through innovative research in areas of Climate & Environment, Health, New Technologies, and Socio-Economics…[more]

OutRight Action International accepting Applications for COVID-19 LGBTIQ Emergency Response Fund
To respond to this crisis and support LGBTIQ organizations around the world who are serving people impacted by COVID-19 while facing an uncertain future themselves, OutRight Action International has set up a COVID-19 LGBTIQ Emergency Response Fund….[more]

Elrha announces Call for Research Proposals to support the COVID – 19 Response in Humanitarian Settings
Elrha is launching an urgent funding call for research proposals to support the COVID-19 response in humanitarian settings. The call aims to fund public health research that will produce robust findings that will contribute to the effectiveness of the current humanitarian response and increase the evidence base for future responses to similar infectious disease outbreaks…[more]

Peace First launches Rapid Response Grants to Address COVID-19
Peace First has launched a rapid response grant process to help young people around the world lead projects that address community impacts of COVID-19, from providing meals to elderly neighbors to launching digital mental health campaigns to support youth feeling isolated…[more]

2020 Call for Code Global Challenge: Build Solutions for COVID-19 and Climate Change
The 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge has expanded its focus to tackle the effects of COVID-19. Technology solutions can help reduce the impact this pandemic has on our daily lives and the world….[more]

New York Academy of Sciences announces Combating COVID-19 Challenge
The New York Academy of Sciences has announced the Challenge: Combating COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic, spanning 112 countries and infecting over 150,000 people…[more]

RSTMH accepting Applications for 2020 Small Grants Program
The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) is currently seeking applications for its 2020 small grants program. The purpose of the small grants is to enable early career researchers and global health professionals in the field of tropical medicine or global health to undertake clinical or scientific research and/or fieldwork, either as stand-alone projects or distinct elements within a larger project….[more]

SOLVE 2020 Global Health Security & Pandemics Challenge
In response to the coronavirus, Solve has launched a Global Health Security & Pandemics Challenge as part of its 2020 Global Challenges. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest in a series of infectious disease emergencies, including cholera, Ebola, SARS, Chikungunya, HIV/AIDS, and influenza…[more]

National Geographic Society launches COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists
The National Geographic Society has launched an emergency fund for journalists all over the world who wish to cover COVID-19 within their own communities. This fund will place particular emphasis on delivering news to underserved populations, particularly where there is a dearth of evidence-based information getting to those who need it…[more]

Commonwealth Youth Council launches Covid 19 Rapid Response Mini-Grants
The Commonwealth Youth Council believes it the role of young people in addressing this pandemic and its consequences and is launching a rapid response grant process to help young people within the Commonwealth lead projects that address community impacts of COVID-19…[more]

UNESCO Call for Participation: Sports Challenge against COVID-19 in Africa
In observance of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (6 April), the Pan-African Youth Network for a Culture of Peace (PAYNCoP) in partnership with UNESCO and the African Peer Review Mechanism Youth Network is inviting young people from across Africa to take part in the Sports Challenge against COVID-19….[more]

EDCTP announces Mobilisation of Funding for COVID-19 Research in sub-Saharan Africa
In the light of rising numbers of cases being reported from affected countries, including several sub-Saharan African countries, the EDCTP Association has agreed to activate the emergency funding mechanism to support Research & Innovation Actions (RIAs) as part of the European response to the COVID-19 emergency….[more]

European Journalism COVID-19 Support Fund
The European Journalism Centre (EJC) and the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP) have launched a $3 million USD fund to support hundreds of community, local and regional European news organizations….[more]

UNESCO announces Call for Participation for Rethinking Social Transformations: Inequalities in the Arab region in light of Covid-19
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced a Call for Participation for Rethinking Social transformations: Inequalities in the Arab region in light of Covid-19…[more]

IsDB Transform Fund 2020: Enhancing Member Countries Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has announced the Transform Fund Call for Innovation 2020 will focus entirely on supporting their Member Countries long-term preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Call will operate in addition to the IsDB Group’s other wide-ranging initiatives coordinated by their Strategic Preparedness and Response Facility…[more]

IDB to Finance Regional Projects to support Coordinated COVID-19 Response
In light of the recent developments and exceptional circumstances associated to the expansion of COVID-19 in the world, including Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) makes available more than US$7 million in non-reimbursable resources under the 2020 Call for Proposals of the Regional Public Goods (RPG) Initiative to finance proposals for regional cooperation and policy coordination in the framework of LAC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic….[more]

European Youth Foundation announces Call for Grant Applications for Pilot Activities responding to Local Needs arising from the COVID-19
The European Youth Foundation (EYF) is launching a special call for local or national youth organisations that are looking for funding for activities which respond to local needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis….[more]

CcHUB offering Funding and Design Support for COVID-19 Projects
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic and its related consequences in other sectors of various economies across the globe, Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) in Nigeria is offering Funding and Design support for teams working on projects to address problems/needs related to the Coronavirus outbreak…[more]

Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund accepting Applications for COVID-19 Emergency Response
The Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund is now accepting applications for the WPHF COVID-19 Emergency Response Window. Apply for new funding opportunities that support your local civil-society organization in its efforts to respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic. WPHF seeks to fund qualifying projects of local women’s organizations that contribute to responding to COVID-19 in crises settings…[more]

South Asia Collective COVID-19 Support Grants
In response to these developments, the South Asia Collective is launching a sub-grant programme to support short-term projects which examine and address the specific issues that minorities are facing within the sub-region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic….[more]

Coronavirus Fast Response Fund for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) is launching a new call for proposals on Coronavirus Fast Response Fund. The purpose of the call is to mobilize civic initiatives in the wider Black Sea region meant to help limit the coronavirus crisis…[more]

United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund launches COVID-19 Ignition Grants
The United States–India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) seeks to support and foster joint applied R&D to generate public good through the commercialization of technology developed through sustained partnerships between U.S. and Indian researchers and entrepreneurs. The current global crisis underscores the importance and relevance of USISTEF activities….[more]

Embassy of Canada in Ukraine launches Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to specifically Address COVID-related Needs
The Embassy of Canada in Ukraine has launched a special call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) which will specifically address COVID-related needs impacting human dignity, gender equality, economic growth and peace & security…[more]

UKRI announces COVID-19 Rapid Response Rolling Call – United Kingdom
Building on the initial calls of their Initiative, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have jointly launched a rolling call for proposals for rapid research into COVID-19….[more]

Call for Proposals: COVID-19 Rapid Response Seed Funding Program – United States
The Tufts University/Tufts Medical Center COVID-19 Rapid Response Seed Funding Program is intended to fast track innovative research proposals that directly address the urgent needs of the COVID-19 pandemic…[more]

Qatar: Rapid Response Call (RRC) to Address COVID-19
Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) is launching a Rapid Response Call (RRC) that is designed to study sudden and significant situations and help Qatari society and its institutions mitigate their impact….[more]

MyGov launches COVID-19 Shri Shakti Challenge – India
MyGov has launched the COVID-19 Solution Challenge on its platform which has seen a very encouraging response from Startups, Entrepreneurs and individuals proposing technology solutions in the field Bioinformatics, datasets, Apps for diagnosis etc that can be leveraged for strengthening the fight against Corona…[more]

Call for Proposals for R&D Plans of Industrial Products for the Prevention and Treatment of the COVID-19 – Israel
The Israel Innovation Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel are hereby inviting manufacturing plants making industrial products intended for the prevention and treatment of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus), to submit applications for assistance with R&D and technological innovation plans as part of Track 36 – Encouraging Technological Innovation in the Manufacturing Industry…[more]

St. David’s Foundation announces COVID-19 Recovery Fund (United States)
In response to the current crisis and unprecedented circumstances caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, St. David’s Foundation has launched a $10 million COVID-19 Recovery Fund to support nonprofits during this challenging and uncertain time….[more]

Botswana Innovation Fund Call for Proposals for Solutions Addressing Covid-19 Pandemic Challenges
The Botswana Innovation Fund (BIF) is looking to fund the development of innovative solutions that address the COVID-19 pandemic challenges from eligible applicants. It is also envisaged that private sector entities will have an opportunity to invest or participate in the implementation of the chosen solutions….[more]

Special Call under Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM) to fight against COVID 19 – India
The Department of Science and Technology invites concept notes under ‘Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)’ for appropriate intervention of yoga and meditation to fight against COVID-19 and other similar kind of viruses…[more]

National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India launches Challenge COVID-19 Competition (C3)
Today when the country is facing a great challenge crisis due to the Corona pandemic, National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF) wishes to engage innovative citizens in its Challenge COVID-19 Competition (C3) by requesting them to participate with their creative ideas and innovations for the following problems/issues….[more]

Community Foundation for Ireland announces 2020 Covid-19 Response Fund
The Community Foundation for Ireland’s Covid-19 Community Fund is aimed at the immediate needs of organisations impacted by Covid-19 and focused on the following…[more]

Colorado COVID Relief Fund
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has created far-reaching economic and social impacts across Colorado and beyond. Coloradans who live daily without access to critical services and opportunities due to race and socioeconomic status are being especially hit hard and disproportionately affected….[more]

UKRI Funding Call for Ideas to Address COVID-19 (United Kingdom)
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is inviting proposals for short-term projects addressing and mitigating the health, social, economic, cultural and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak…[more]

Zagoriy Foundation announces Grant Contest to Support COVID-19 Counteraction Projects – Ukraine
The Zagoriy Foundation is seeking applications to provide grant support to non-profit organizations to develop initiatives that counteract COVID-19. The Foundation’s goal is to support projects related to the prevention, mitigation and mitigation of the pandemic in Ukraine…[more]

Rhode Island Foundation announces COVID-19 Response Fund Grants
The Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island are seeking applications for its COVID-19 Response Fund Grants to support Rhode Island nonprofit organizations at the forefront of COVID-19 response….[more]

Breakfast Club of Canada issues COVID-19 Special Grants for Community Organizations
The Breakfast Club of Canada is issuing COVID-19 special grants for community organizations to help ensure children and families have access to food during the crisis….[more]

Nellie Mae Education Foundation launches Rapid Response Grant Fund (COVID-19) – United States
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is seeking applications for its Rapid Response Grant Fund to respond to the hate crimes and bias against Asian American communities resulting from COVID-19….[more]

The De Colores Rapid Response Fund supporting for Organizers Responding to COVID-19 (United States)
As the outbreak of COVID-19 presents growing and unprecedented challenges for organizers nationwide, Peace Developement Fund’s De Colores Rapid Response Fund, designed for strategic intervention in movement moments like this, offers grants of $500 to $1,000 to grassroots organizations working to make positive community interventions…[more]

Grants to provide Assistance to Individuals and Families affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara Foundation, United Way of Santa Barbara County, and Hutton Parker Foundation are leading a countywide collaborative with members of the Foundation Roundtable to provide assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations…[more]

Rapid Response and Women’s Solidarity Grant Program – COVID-19 (Georgia)
Women’s Fund has announced the rapid response grant program, which is specifically COVID-19 pandemic with the urgent work is dedicated. Grant program to participate in the reception to women registered and unregistered groups, whose activities in the areas of women’s and girls’ rights protection…[more]

Omidyar Network India announces Rapid Response Funding for Covid-19
Omidyar Network India has announced a call for proposals for rapid response funding to tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 situation and the consequent socio-economic impact…[more]

Funding for Community-based Mutual Assistance Initiatives during the Coronavirus Epidemic in Ukraine
The International Renaissance Foundation is renewing its humanitarian solidarity initiative, which was launched in 2014, and is announcing the first grant competition within this framework. The Foundation is ready to support a wide variety of community -based mutual assistance initiatives during the coronavirus epidemic in Ukraine. Practical assistance should be given to those who remain most vulnerable to the epidemic, given the socio-economic situation of particular social groups…[more]

Coronavirus Community Fund in Northern Ireland
The Coronavirus Community Fund is open to community organisations throughout Northern Ireland, who are supporting isolated older people at this time. The focus of the fund will be to offer community organisations emergency funding to deal with emerging issues in the community, affecting older people (aged 50 and over), as a result of the continuing threat of coronavirus, and the need for self isolation, and potential for further exacerbation of loneliness and isolation of these older people…[more]

Greater Toledo Community Foundation announces COVID-19 Response Fund – United States
The COVID-19 Response Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation requests proposals from nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan that incurred unexpected expenses working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by corona virus and the economic consequences of the outbreak….[more]