Apply for the UNFPA 2025 Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with MIT Solve, IE University, and Women of Wearables, is excited to announce the launch of The Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations.
This global innovation challenge, supported by the Governments of Germany and Luxembourg, is designed to support women-led enterprises in advancing their health innovations beyond the pilot stage, aiming for scalable, impactful solutions that address critical issues in women’s health.
Why The Equalizer Challenge Matters
Women’s health remains one of the most underfunded and underserved areas in global healthcare. Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, emphasized the urgency: “Every minute, at least two women die globally from breast or cervical cancer or pregnancy-related complications due to inequitable access to healthcare.”
Yet, despite the urgency of these challenges, only 1% of global healthcare research and innovation funding addresses women-specific conditions outside of oncology. Even more concerning, only 0.2% of research and development funding focuses on sexual and reproductive health in developing countries—issues that play a vital role in determining women’s lifelong well-being.
Gender biases in technology and healthcare design have further exacerbated these inequities. To address this, The Equalizer Challenge seeks to bridge this funding gap by investing in innovative, women-led solutions that prioritize the needs of underserved communities, ensuring that no one is left behind.
What The Equalizer Challenge Offers
The Equalizer Challenge provides more than just financial support—it offers a six-month capacity development programme to ensure that the selected innovators can successfully scale their solutions. Key features of the programme include:
- Catalytic funding to scale existing innovations that address women’s health.
- Biweekly coaching sessions to provide tailored guidance and support.
- Expert mentorship from leaders in global health, technology, and investment.
- Direct connections to influential global health and investment networks, providing entrepreneurs with the opportunity to build partnerships and attract investment.
The challenge seeks bold, women-led innovations that aim to revolutionize women’s healthcare. This includes innovations in areas like:
- Medical devices
- Digital health platforms
- Personalized medicine
- Breakthrough solutions addressing health conditions unique to women
This initiative is aimed at pushing boundaries and breaking through barriers in healthcare, reshaping the future of care for women around the world.
Eligibility and Application Process
The Equalizer Challenge is open to women-led enterprises with innovative solutions in women’s health. Eligible applicants must have a proven track record of developing solutions that address the health challenges unique to women.
The application process includes submitting an innovative solution that has the potential to scale and create lasting impact.
The challenge is a fantastic opportunity for women entrepreneurs working in the healthcare space to gain the mentorship, funding, and resources needed to scale their solutions and bring about meaningful change in the lives of women globally.
About UNFPA
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. The mission of UNFPA is to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works toward realizing reproductive rights for all and advocates for universal access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal healthcare, and comprehensive sexuality education.
Apply Now
Women-led innovations are the future of women’s health. The Equalizer Challenge aims to support those innovators who are ready to make an impact. If you have a bold solution that can reshape women’s health, apply now for a chance to scale your innovation and contribute to building a healthier world for women.
For more details on the challenge, application criteria, and how to submit your proposal, visit the official UNFPA website. Together, we can create a world where women’s health is prioritized, and every woman has access to the care she deserves.
