Applications for 'Grand Challenges China' initiative will be sought in early 2016

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world biggest charitable institution, will team up with the National Natural Science Foundation of China, to establish a "Grand Challenges China" initiative in the near future, according to Sue Desmond-Hellmann, its CEO.

The two institutions will jointly select and fund scientific and technological research projects. The focus will be tackling major infectious diseases, reducing maternal and child mortality, strengthening translation capacity, advancing agriculture, food and nutrition outcomes, and alleviating challenges in other key areas that will benefit people in need in both China and beyond.