Laerdal Foundation Grant Program

The Laerdal Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Norway that focuses on improving survival and health outcomes in low-resource settings. The foundation dedicates a substantial portion of its annual funding to research initiatives that are practical, scalable, and capable of saving lives. Its funding priorities emphasize strengthening systems of emergency care, including resuscitation, trauma care, and maternal and newborn health, particularly on the day of birth. The foundation places strong importance on interventions that can be implemented effectively in environments with limited resources and infrastructure. This funding opportunity supports research projects that directly address preventable causes of mortality in low-resource settings. Eligible projects must include a research component and align with at least one of the foundation’s core focus areas, which include preventing deaths from sudden cardiac arrest, trauma, or complications during childbirth. The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate clear pathways to implementation and scale, as well as those that may have broader applicability beyond the immediate local context. Projects that incorporate innovative approaches to training, education, quality improvement, or healthcare delivery are especially encouraged. Funding is intended to support projects that can be realistically executed within the proposed budget and timeframe. The foundation typically funds up to twenty projects annually under this category, with a maximum award of 50000 USD and an average grant size of approximately 30000 USD. Institutional overhead or administrative costs may be included in the budget but are capped at ten percent of the total project cost. If a proposed project exceeds the grant amount, applicants must demonstrate the feasibility of securing additional funding from other sources to complete the work. Eligibility is contingent upon meeting strict criteria. Applications must include a research dimension and must address one of the specified focus areas. The foundation also emphasizes the importance of local partnerships and expects applicants to demonstrate both practical experience working in low-resource settings and a strong commitment to collaboration with local stakeholders. Projects conducted in the foundation’s focus countries, which include Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, are given priority consideration. Additionally, each institution or organization is limited to submitting a maximum of two applications per cycle. The application process is conducted entirely through the foundation’s online application platform. Applicants are required to complete structured forms that guide them through the project description, budget, and supporting materials. The platform allows applicants to save progress and return to their submission before finalizing it. Once submitted, applications enter the review process immediately, and applicants receive confirmation via email. Careful review of the application prior to submission is strongly encouraged, as modifications are not permitted after submission. Applications are accepted on a recurring basis with two annual deadlines: April 1 and October 1. These deadlines represent the final submission dates for the spring and autumn cycles, respectively. The application platform may periodically close for updates but is expected to reopen in advance of upcoming deadlines. While specific award notification timelines are not explicitly stated, the structured review process suggests that decisions are made following each submission cycle. Applicants with questions may contact the foundation directly via email or telephone, with contact details provided on the official website.

Budget realism, practical experience in low-resource settings, and local partnerships are emphasized.