Small Grants Program

The Mérieux Foundation's grants program contributes towards financing projects that aim to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The projects including as beneficiaries mothers and children will be given priority. Our mission is to fight the infectious diseases that affect vulnerable populations in developing countries, especially mothers and children, by building local capacities.

Type of project: Projects which improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases representing significant public health issues. The Foundation will prioritise projects which have strong local involvement, links with local authorities, local associations and beneficiaries and those whose beneficiaries are mothers and children.

Location: Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Chad, Tunisia, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Vanuatu and Vietnam

Eligibility: Only projects implemented by local organizations which have been registered for at least 3 years will be studied (projects must be submitted by the local structure responsible for the project).

Grant size: up to € 5,000

Closing date: 1 March

Only projects implemented by local organizations will be studied (projects must be submitted by the local structure responsible for the project).

• Exclusive mission of public interest in connection with the Mérieux Foundation’s mandate: fight against the infectious diseases the affects the most vulnerable populations in developing countries, especially mothers and children
• Not convicted (the organization or one of its member) of acts contrary to the principles stated above
• Not in bankruptcy or receivership
• Student associations and individual applications (scholarship projects) are not eligible for this program.
• Nonprofit and independent management
• Registered with the authorities of the country for at least three years
• Respect and sign the ethical principles of the Mérieux Foundation’s Charter: transparency, professionalism, quality, independence, non-discrimination, respect
• Status of association under the law of 1901 or recognized as a public utility or equivalent status for foreign structures

Eligibility criteria for projects

• Harmonization with existing initiatives in the concerned location
• Objectives and activities related to and consistent with the Mérieux Foundation’s mission and focusing on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases representing significant public -- health issues
• Projects based on a local needs assessment
• Projects proposing concrete solutions, beyond education and raising awareness
• Projects that are adapted to the population that is targeted and are long-term in nature
• Projects that do not present a complete file (see documents to be attached below) are not eligible
• Projects that only include research activities, with no impact on mother and child, are not eligible
• Projects taking a global approach to health, including physical, social and psychological aspects
• Projects with a direct impact on the mother and / or child
• Respect of ethical principles and gender equality in the implementation of the project
• Strong local involvement: links with local authorities, local associations and beneficiaries