On March 31, 2008, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will begin accepting grant proposals for Grand Challenges Explorations. The Gates Foundation seeks proposals from scientists around the world with bold, creative ideas for improving global health. A $100 million initiative, the program intends to help scientists pursue innovative ideas for solving major global health problems. Grant proposals will be accepted online March 31 through May 30, 2008.

Proposals are being solicited on the following four topics:

• Creating new ways to protect against infectious diseases
• Creating drugs or delivery systems that limit the emergence of resistance
• Creating new ways to prevent or cure HIV infection
• Exploring the basis for latency in TB

Initial grants will be $100,000 each, and projects showing success will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of $1 million or more.