What is a Grand Challenge for Development?

What is a Grand Challenge for Development?

A Grand Challenge is about doing development differently. It is about focusing global attention on a specific problem – a problem that has not been solved with traditional approaches. With a Grand Challenge, we marshal new ideas, engage new actors and advance innovative solutions from around the world.

Each Grand Challenge for Development is defined by a problem state­ment, rather than specified solutions.

The Grand Challenge for Development Model is designed to focus attention on specific and narrowly defined development chal­lenges that facilitate innovative approaches to solving those challenges. The initiative focuses on solutions that are grounded in science and technology, and are robust, cost-effective, and scalable.

This approach promotes the expansion of ideas, engages new actors in creating solutions and brings to the fore solutions that might not otherwise receive support. Grand Challenges for Development expand the evidence base focused on persistent develop­ment challenges and identify those solutions with the potential to go to scale and be sustainable in low resource settings.

The inaugural USAID Grand Challenge for Development, “Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Develop­ment,” targeted improvements in maternal and newborn health. For more information on USAID's Grand Challenges, please visit the Grand Challenges Website.

Frequently Asked Questions - Grand Challenges