SAVax Innovation Challenge 2026: €75,000 Grants Available for Women's Health Innovations

The SAVax Programme, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union (EU), in partnership with South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has officially launched the SAVax Innovation Challenge 2026.

The Innovation Challenge forms part of the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+) and aims to accelerate innovative, commercially viable solutions that address critical women's health challenges while strengthening South Africa's health innovation ecosystem.

Challenge Objective

The Innovation Challenge seeks to bridge the gap between research, industry and commercialisation by supporting innovations that are:

• Innovative and scalable
• Locally relevant
• Industry-driven
• Commercialisation-ready
• Focused on improving women's health outcomes in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries

The initiative is designed to connect innovators with multinational industry leaders, innovation hubs and research institutions to accelerate market-ready health technologies.

Challenge Streams

Applicants may apply under one of two challenge streams:

1. Biotechnologies

Seeking innovative diagnostic and screening solutions that:

• Reduce the burden of diseases affecting women
• Improve early diagnosis and screening
• Are scalable and locally relevant
• Address healthcare needs in low- and middle-income countries

2. Pharmaceuticals

Seeking innovative:

• Pharmaceutical products
• Drug delivery technologies
• Affordable therapeutic solutions

that improve access to effective women's healthcare in low- and middle-income countries.

Funding Available

The programme will award:

• Up to two (2) grants
• One winner per challenge stream
• Grant value: €75,000 per successful project

Funding is intended to support:

• Technology development
• Product validation
• Commercialisation
• Scaling activities

Projects must be completed within six months.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are invited from:

• South African startups and small businesses
• Independent research groups
• Research groups affiliated with accredited universities or research institutions

Applicants must:

• Be registered and compliant with South African legislation (where applicable)
• Own or have the rights to the proposed innovation
• Align with either the Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical challenge stream
• Be willing to participate in mentoring, workshops, pitching sessions and reporting activities
• Not be under liquidation or business rescue
• Not be subsidiaries of, or have tax liability in, Germany or any EU Member State.

Technology Readiness

Eligible startups must have innovations at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3.

Industry & Innovation Partners

Selected innovators will benefit from engagement with leading industry and ecosystem partners, including:

Industry Partners

• Bayer
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Merck
• Sartorius
• Siemens Healthineers
• Thermo Fisher Scientific

Innovation Hubs

• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• University of the Free State
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits Innovation Centre)

These partners will provide technical insight, mentorship, commercial guidance and innovation support to strengthen the development and market readiness of selected solutions.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed on:

Impact (40%)

• Women's health relevance
• Innovation
• Gender equality and inclusion

Commercial Viability (30%)

• Scalability
• Sustainability
• Local manufacturing potential
• Feasibility
• Commercialisation readiness

Accessibility & Affordability (30%)

• Improved healthcare access
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Benefits for underserved communities.

Important Dates

• Challenge Launch: 3 July 2026
• Virtual Information Session 1: 24 July 2026
• Virtual Information Session 2: 14 August 2026
• Application Deadline: 31 August 2026 at 17:00 SAST
• Technical Review Period: 1 September – 16 October 2026
• Tentative Award Announcement: 28 October 2026

Eligible Country

South Africa

Contact Information

Email: savaxjointaction@giz.de

How to Apply

Applicants must:

• Complete the Innovation Challenge application form.
• Submit the required budget template and supporting documentation.
• Submit applications electronically through the Kobo Toolbox application platform before the closing date.

Applications submitted through any other channel will not be considered.

Click HERE to visit the official website.