Deadline: April 25, 2025
Grand Challenges Canada is launching a new portfolio, Play Learn Thrive, to respond to gaps in current Early Childhood Development in Emergencies (ECDiE) and Education in Emergencies (EiE) approaches.
They aim to create strong support systems for children in complex crisis settings so that they can play, learn, and thrive. They recognize that children’s holistic development, including their physical, intellectual, psychological, cultural, and social wellbeing, is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing and capacity of their caregivers and educators, as well as other members of their community. Strengthening this support network is essential to fostering children’s growth and development.
Supported by The Lego Foundation, this funding call seeks solutions that create more robust support systems for children from birth to 12 years of age in complex crisis settings, with a focus on those who are left behind and whose developmental and educational needs are not being met.
Grant
With funding from the LEGO Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada will award grants in two categories through this Request for Proposals:
- Proof of Concept (POC): They are offering Proof of Concept (POC) funding of up to $250,000 CAD for a maximum of 24 months. POC funding supports early-stage innovations to test and refine bold ideas. Their goal is to strengthen the pipeline of tested ECDiE and EiE innovations that focus on children from birth to 12 years of age in at least one of four countries (Kenya, Uganda, Lebanon, and Jordan).
- Transition to Scale (TTS): Funding for more mature innovations that have already achieved proof of concept and are ready to be implemented more widely. These are grants between $300,000-$1,500,000 CAD per project over a maximum of 24 months.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, applying organizations must (among other criteria):
- Be not-for-profit organizations that are legally incorporated.
- Have an active presence in at least one of the four priority countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, Uganda).
- Be legally registered to do business in at least one of the four priority countries.
- Implement programming directly in at least one of the four priority countries.
Application
The final deadline for applications for Proof of Concept (POC) grants is April 24, 2025, at 2 pm ET. Transition to Scale (TTS) grants will be accepted on a rolling basis between January 21, 2025 – November 27, 2025. The first application deadline is on April 24, 2025, at 2 pm ET.
For more information, visit Play Learn Thrive.
