In an effort to determine the causes behind the stunted growth and underdevelopment that affects some infants and children, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced $21 million in grants to 14 research teams through its Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative.

This funding is being split between two grant programs. The Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal Function and Health initiative and the Discover New Ways to Achieve Healthy Growth efforts.

Some examples of the projects selected for these grants include work by Richard Guerrant and fellow researchers at the University of Virginia, which will look at gastrointestinal biomarkers in plasma, urine and feces samples in an effort to common markers that might signal underdevelopment and impaired growth. In Boston, a team including Christopher Duggan will work with at-risk Tanzanian children to look at correlations between impaired growth and neurological development and gut dysfunction.

Organizations that are looking to raise funds through grant opportunities or local campaigns can use nonprofit financial management solutions to improve their chances of success. The software can help program leaders identify potential donors and send out applications with accurate accounting information.