Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026
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Quick Answer
US$250,000–2 million (about ₹2.4–19 crore) to scale proven innovations that protect people in Asia from the health effects of heat, air pollution and mosquito-borne disease. Closes 17 Nov 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
- Application deadline
- 11d — 18 Nov 2026
- Location
- International
About this grant
Nexa Lighthouse is a climate and health innovation programme co-led by Grand Challenges Canada and AVPN, with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and other foundations as funding partners. The 2026 call funds proven innovations that protect people in South and South-East Asia from the health effects of climate change. Awards are roughly US$250,000 to US$2 million (about ₹2.4–19 crore), and applications close on 17 November 2026 at 2:00 pm Eastern time (7:00 pm UTC), according to the call document.
What the program offers
The earlier listing text says awards range from about US$250,000 to US$2 million (about ₹2.4–19 crore) per innovation for up to 24 months, and that most funding will be grants although partners may also use debt or equity. The Novo Nordisk Foundation's own page does not state amounts or duration, so these figures come from the existing record and the main call document.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation's part of the call funds innovations that protect people living with cardiometabolic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, from extreme heat in South Asia. Other Nexa partners fund other focus areas: extreme heat, mosquito-borne infections and poor air quality. A successful application may therefore be funded by a partner other than the Foundation. Funded applicants sign a grant agreement under the Foundation's standard terms for open competitions.
Who can apply
The 2026 call is for Transition to Scale innovations: approaches already tested and shown to work, now ready to reach more people. The earlier listing text says ideas without proof-of-concept evidence should not apply. Proposals must address climate-informed early warning and monitoring, or climate-responsive patient care.
The listing states that organisations incorporated and implementing in eligible Asia-Pacific countries can apply, and that India is a priority country. Companies, social enterprises, NGOs, non-profits, government bodies and research institutions are listed as eligible; individuals, sole proprietorships, unincorporated trusts and partnerships are not. The innovation should be at least community linked, and a named project lead formally affiliated with the applicant can appear on only one application. It suits Indian startups and NGOs with evidence of results and a plan to scale. It does not suit early ideas or individuals.
How to apply
- Read the full Nexa Lighthouse funding opportunity document, including the list of eligible countries.
- Check that your innovation is proven and ready to scale, and is at least community linked.
- Name one project lead formally affiliated with your organisation.
- Submit your application through the AVPN and Grand Challenges Canada portal before the deadline.
- Answer any follow-up requests during screening.
The call opened on 15 October 2026 and closes on 17 November 2026 at 2:00 pm Eastern time (7:00 pm UTC, 12:30 am IST on 18 November), as the call document states. The Foundation's page gives 2:00 pm Copenhagen time in its header, which would be six hours earlier. A practical tip: submit well before the day, and ideally before 1:00 pm UTC, so that every reading is covered.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The administrators run an eligibility check and an innovation screening, and the application then goes through peer review and due diligence. The Nexa partners, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, then choose which applicants each will fund. The earlier listing text describes a further application round for shortlisted applicants. No result date is given on the Foundation's page.
About the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Nexa
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is an independent Danish enterprise foundation that supports scientific, humanitarian and social causes. Its focus areas are health, sustainability and the life science ecosystem. It is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark, with offices in Nairobi and New Delhi. Grand Challenges Canada and AVPN co-lead Nexa Lighthouse.
Things to check before you apply
- The closing time differs between pages: the call document says 2:00 pm Eastern time (7:00 pm UTC), the Foundation's page says 2:00 pm Copenhagen time in its header and 2:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm UTC in its body, and the Grand Challenges Canada page says 8:00 pm UTC. Eastern time is five hours behind UTC in November, so 7:00 pm UTC is the matching figure.
- The innovation must already be proven; an early idea will not qualify.
- Check that your organisation is incorporated and that the project lead is formally affiliated with it.
- Organisations already funded by the Lighthouse Fund are not eligible, according to the listing.
- The source does not state an application fee or travel requirement.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Transition to Scale awards range from about US$250,000 to US$2,000,000 (about ₹2.4–19 crore) per innovation, for up to 24 months, depending on how mature the innovation is. Most awards are grants; partners may also use debt or equity depending on the organisation. The currency depends on which partner funds you. Innovators keep ownership of their intellectual property.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Administrators run an eligibility check and an innovation screening, followed by peer review and due diligence. The Nexa partners, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, then choose which successful applicants each will fund. A funded applicant receives a grant agreement under the Foundation's standard terms.
Application Process
- 1
Stage-one application
Submit on the Fluxx portal by 17 November 2026.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian startups apply for Nexa Lighthouse?
Yes, according to the listing, which says India is a priority country and that organisations incorporated and implementing in eligible Asia-Pacific countries can apply. Companies and social enterprises are eligible, but individuals and sole proprietorships are not. Your innovation must already be proven.
Who can apply for Nexa Lighthouse Climate and Health 2026?
Incorporated organisations such as companies, social enterprises, NGOs and research institutions, according to the listing. The innovation must be proven, ready to scale and at least community linked. Check the full call document for details.
How much funding does Nexa Lighthouse give?
The listing says awards range from about US$250,000 to US$2 million (about ₹2.4–19 crore) per innovation for up to 24 months. The Novo Nordisk Foundation's page does not state amounts.
How is Nexa Lighthouse funding paid?
The source does not describe payment terms. Funded applicants sign a grant agreement under the Foundation's standard open-competition terms.
What is the deadline for Nexa Lighthouse, and what if it has passed?
The call closes on 17 November 2026 at 2:00 pm Eastern time (7:00 pm UTC), according to the call document. Other pages quote the time differently, so submit well before it. The listing says the call then becomes invitation-only.
Is Nexa Lighthouse a grant or equity?
The Foundation's page says grants. The listing adds that most funding will be grants but partners may also use debt or equity.
What documents do I need to apply to Nexa Lighthouse?
You apply through the programme portal and need to name a project lead formally affiliated with your organisation. The Foundation's page does not list further documents, so read the funding opportunity document.
Do I have to travel for Nexa Lighthouse?
The source does not mention any travel requirement. Applications go through the online portal.
Is it free to apply to Nexa Lighthouse?
The source does not mention an application fee. Check the call document to confirm.
When are Nexa Lighthouse results announced?
The source does not give a results date. After the closing date, applications go through eligibility checks, screening, review and due diligence before the partners choose whom to fund.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
