Application Deadline: May 4, 2025.
Applications are now open for the 2025 UNFPA Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations. UNFPA, in collaboration with MIT Solve, IE University and Women of Wearables, is launching The Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations – an innovation challenge designed to provide catalytic, equity-free funding while empowering innovators to amplify their impact and scale up transformative solutions for women’s health. The Equalizer Challenge is enabled by the generous support from the Governments of Germany and Luxembourg to the UNFPA Equalizer Accelerator Fund.
Eligibility Requirements
- Women-led social enterprises4 registered and operating in UNFPA programme countries with a scalable health innovation addressing women’s health needs.
- Organizations – startups, social enterprises, non-profits and hybrid models – committed to expanding access to critical women’s health solutions, with clear business models and pathways to scale through markets or the public sector.
- Applicants must provide:
Program Details
- Wide-ranging resources: UNFPA’s support extends beyond equity-free funding, providing innovators with the resources to enter new markets and refine their impact models.
- Inclusive of all models: Impactful health solutions take many forms; social enterprises, non-profits, hybrid models and for-profits featuring a sustainable business model are all welcome.
- Full intellectual property ownership: Startups retain full rights to their innovations.
- Women’s health at the core: As the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA brings unparalleled expertise and global reach to support innovators in their journey.
- Beyond buzzwords: This challenge supports high-impact innovations that enhance the health of women and girls.
Application Timeline:
- Call for submissions: April 9 – May 4, 2025.
- Winners announced: June 2025.
- Innovation support programme: June – November 2025.
- Catalytic funding: Up to $20,000 per winner.
- Global exposure: Direct access to health innovation networks, mentorship and investors.
- Post-challenge support: Ongoing engagement, networking and participation in health forums.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UNFPA Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations
