Global Health Africa Young Innovator Boost
Boosting young health innovators and researchers
Equitably integrating mental health into Primary Health Care in Africa
Applications close in
Deadline: 20 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC
Deadline: 20 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC
The 2026 edition in brief
Why mental health, why Primary Health Care, why now.
The burden of mental health disorders is rising fast across Africa, while specialist services remain scarce and concentrated in capital cities. Integrating mental health into Primary Health Care is the realistic path to universal access.
GHAYIB 2026 identifies, funds and supports the young people building that integration: technological innovators on one side, researchers producing evidence on the other.
Two tracks, one standard
Pick the one that matches your work. The scoring grid is shared; its wording adapts to your discipline.
Technological Innovations track
Startups, AI platforms, tele-counselling and connected medical devices serving Primary Health Care.
I am an innovatorScientific Research track
Young researchers producing evidence — epidemiological, clinical, operational — to guide mental health policy.
I am a researcherPrizes and assessment
A 10,000 USD prize pool and post-forum support that differs by rank.
1st prize
5,000 USD
Exclusive mentoring and access to the Galien Africa network
2nd prize
3,000 USD
Introductions to investors
3rd prize
2,000 USD
Coaching and visibility
Official scoring grid
| Criterion | Innovations track | Research track |
|---|---|---|
| Disruptivity / Rigor | Originality of the solution, relevant use of technology and AI | Methodological rigor, protocol, data validity |
| Mental health impact | Improves access to primary health care, reduces inequalities | Value of the evidence for public policy |
| Viability / Applicability | Business model, scalability, deployment potential | Potential to translate results into clinical practice |
| Team and expertise | Complementary profiles, execution capability | Institutional anchoring, academic rigor |
| Pitch quality | Storytelling clarity, concision, quality of the Q&A | Ability to popularize complex scientific data |
| Ethics and sustainability | Data protection, compliance, social impact | Bioethics committee compliance, integrity |
Official timeline
Eight milestones, from the opening of the call to the awards.
Aug 20
Call for applications opens
Sep 20
Applications close
Current stageOct 1 – Oct 15
Technical committee evaluation
Oct 20
Public announcement of the 6 finalists
Dec 7
Speed Mentoring (closed session, Dakar)
Dec 8
Final pitches and jury deliberation
Dec 8 – Dec 11
9th Forum Galien Africa, Dakar
Dec 11
Awards at the closing ceremony
Mentors and jury
The experts who support and assess the projects.
Mentors and jury members are announced as they are confirmed.
2025 laureates
The projects distinguished at the GAYIB 2025 edition in Dakar.
- 1st prizeGAYIB 2025
ANTOUKIT
Amoun Antoinette Mawena
Benin
OAPI-patented cervical cancer screening kit
- 2nd prizeGAYIB 2025
Telemedan
Abakar Mahamat
Chad
Solar-powered autonomous telemedicine kiosks with AI diagnosis
- 3rd prizeGAYIB 2025
MpoxAI
Oluwatobi Adewumi
Nigeria
AI web application for rapid mpox detection
Frequently asked questions
Your project belongs here
One account, one application, and the chance to present your work to the jury of the 9th Forum Galien Africa.