The call is open to innovators, entrepreneurs, for-profit and non-profit companies, research groups, university departments and spin-offs, and small- and medium-sized enterprises interested in improving global healthcare with open-licensed digital health content.
Introduction
Are you a digital innovator with a current or candidate content global good? We are excited to launch the first-ever call for content global goods. We are looking for innovative companies interested in working with us to increase the availability, adaptability, and maturity of high-quality digital health tools to address country-driven health needs. Successful applicants to this call will join the global goods community and will be featured in the next version of the Global Goods Guidebook.
At least half of the world’s population cannot obtain essential health services. Digital interventions can play a key role in extending the reach and quality of health services, improving health access and outcomes. Since 2016, Digital Square has focused on reorienting the global digital health community to better match digital health approaches to country needs—advancing digital health resources and tools that are adaptable to different countries and contexts to help close the health equity gap.
Notice G1: Content Global Goods
Notice G1 aims to identify and promote high-quality digital health content that qualifies as a global good. The digital health content tools should address country-driven health needs and ultimately contribute to inclusive and equitable health outcomes for all.
This call seeks to support the discoverability, accessibility, and promotion of content global goods. Through advocacy and providing support for these tools, we aim to reduce fragmentation and duplication to accelerate use at scale and health impact.
A mature digital health content global good is a resource, toolkit, or data standard that is available under an open license and that is used to improve or analyze the capabilities required to manage health data. Capabilities include those related to resource allocation, people, hardware, software, infrastructure, and operations.
Key attributes of a content global good are:
Available under an appropriate Creative Commons license or similar.
Aligned with the Digital Public Goods (DPG) Standard.
Supported by a strong community with a clear governance structure.
Funded by multiple sources.
Uptake at scale (relative to use case for the content) across multiple countries and/or diverse projects.
Demonstrated effectiveness.
Examples of content global goods may include, but are not limited to:
Training content
Standards specifications and technical guidance
Guidance and normative documents
Protocols and policies
Who can apply?
Digital Square accepts submissions from various applicants, independently or in partnership with others, including research institutes and institutions of higher education, non-governmental organizations, and private, for-profit companies. Digital Square also accepts applications for funding from innovators, digital entrepreneurs, and researchers of all nationalities based in all geographies.
Target geographies
The initiative encourages applications from organizations working to address health equity challenges in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) as priority settings. Notice G is a global call inviting digital solutions currently in use from all areas of the world. Digital health tools with proven use and impact in LMICs as priority settings are preferred.
Eligibility criteria
Proposals are required to meet a set of minimum eligibility criteria to be considered for evaluation. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
The proposed content must meet the definition of global good and must align with the DPG Standard. The content must also be a registered digital public good with the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA).
The proposed content must be licensed under an appropriate open license such as Creative Commons, or similar.
The proposed content must focus on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and well-being and must be mapped to the categories and system classifications of the World Health Organization’s “Classification of digital health interventions v1.0” according to the focus areas of intervention they seek to address.
The content must provide evidence of uptake at scale with preference for diverse use and not singular projects.
The content must demonstrate a level of maturity and uptake within the target market
How to apply
Applications should be submitted using the application portal for participation in the Global Call for Candidate Global Goods: Content. All applications must be filled out in English. It is important that applicants answer all questions accurately and clearly. When completing the application form, please note that the space available to respond to some questions is limited and clearly indicated.
Application process
The submission portal will be open for applications at 8:59 a.m. (EDT) on June 14, 2023. The process for submission is as follows:
If you created an account for Notice G0 on the new portal, please navigate to the submission portal and click on "Login".
If you are a new applicant, please navigate to the submission portal and click “Sign Up”. If you have previously used our WizeHive platform, you can click “Sign In” instead.
Enter your email and create a password. You will be granted immediate access to the portal.
Click “Create a Profile to Get Started”. This step must be completed before you can proceed with the application.
Click the “Get Started” box (marked with a “+”).
You can now access and edit both two required application form(s).
All forms can be saved in draft prior to submission.
Once both required forms are completed, the “Submit” button will be green and clickable. Once submitted, forms cannot be edited.
A webinar hosted by Digital Square on June 28 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) will outline this process and answer questions specific to the portal and application process. Register here.
All applicants are expected to complete the online application forms:
Disclaimer
By submitting an application, you agree to having a summary of your organization, the digital health content and associated information, and your contact details published on a list of Digital Square global goods and digital health solution providers. Digital Square may leverage this list to share news, updates, and funding opportunities. Applicants acknowledge and agree that the submitted data is being shared as part of the open application process and may be included in any relevant publications. The applicant acknowledges and agrees that all sensitive data (budgets, company registration, and financial data) data provided will not be made available to third parties without prior authorization of the applicant, except for the application review by the Peer Review Committee (PRC), Investment Review Committee (IRC), and the Digital Square Board.
Application deadlines
The applications must be submitted through the internet portal available at https://webportalapp.com/sp/dsq_notice_g0_software by 11:59 p.m. (EDT) July 12, 2023.