Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) and the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) launched Nexa, a US$50 million global initiative, on June 21, 2026, to fund local innovations addressing climate-related health threats. By targeting extreme heat, shifting vector-borne disease patterns, and poor air quality, the program aims to bolster health systems in low- and middle-income regions where 3.6 billion people currently face acute climate vulnerability.
Why is locally led innovation critical for climate health?
Communities on the front lines of the climate crisis often possess the most effective, context-specific solutions, yet they frequently lack the capital to scale them. According to Dr. Tom Kariuki, CEO of the SFA Foundation, those closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions. By prioritizing African and American regional priorities, Nexa aims to move away from top-down global interventions. This approach contrasts with traditional international aid models that often import foreign technologies without accounting for local infrastructure or cultural nuances.
The Lancet has identified the climate crisis as the greatest global health threat of the 21st century, impacting everything from infectious disease transmission to respiratory health.
How will Nexa funding support health system resilience?
Nexa provides two tiers of catalytic funding to ensure both early-stage ideas and proven models receive support. According to program guidelines, “Proof of Concept” grants offer up to US$200,000 over 18 to 24 months. For established innovations ready to scale, the initiative provides “Transition to Scale” funding ranging from US$250,000 to US$2,000,000. These investments are designed to strengthen health system adaptation, ensuring that clinics and local providers can handle the projected surge in climate-driven medical cases.
Key Focus Areas for Innovation
- Vector-borne diseases: Developing new models to track and mitigate malaria and dengue as warming temperatures expand mosquito habitats.
- Extreme heat: Creating cooling solutions and heat-alert systems for pregnant women and chronic disease patients.
- Air quality: Scaling local monitoring and filtration technologies to combat the health impacts of pollution and climate-related fires.
What data informs the Nexa strategy?
The initiative’s framework is based on the largest climate and health survey conducted to date, involving 6,400 respondents across 107 low- and middle-income countries. In 2025, GCC and the SFA Foundation partnered with The Geneva Learning Foundation to collect this data from health workers, scientists, and policymakers. These findings, currently being prepared for academic publication, indicate that health systems are significantly overburdened by shifting disease patterns, necessitating a transition toward decentralized, community-based response models.
If you are an innovator working on climate-health delivery models, visit www.nexaclimate.org to review the specific criteria for the upcoming funding calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for Nexa funding?
Nexa accepts applications for innovations based in Africa and the Americas. Future funding cycles will expand to include Asia. Eligible innovations include products, processes, services, or delivery models.
When does the first funding call open?
The first call for applications opens on June 22, 2026, and will remain open until July 22, 2026.
How does this differ from previous climate funding?
Unlike general climate mitigation funds that focus on carbon reduction, Nexa specifically targets “climate-health” intersections, focusing on the direct medical impact of environmental changes on vulnerable populations.
Are you working on an innovation that could change the future of community health? Explore open funding opportunities today and share this article with your network to support the global shift toward local climate resilience.
