In preparation for World NTD Day on January 30, 2026, the World NTD Day Japan Preparatory Committee (organizer: NTDs Youth Organization) will hold the “Third Neglected Tropical Disease Contest,” open to students from junior high school through university and graduate school. The GHIT Fund is pleased to once again support and sponsor this meaningful initiative.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of 21 infectious diseases designated by the World Health Organization (WHO), including lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and dengue fever, which affect more than 1.5 billion people globally. These diseases are particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where they threaten the health and livelihoods of some of the world’s poorest communities. Yet as the name “neglected” suggests, there is still a lack of awareness and interest surrounding NTDs, and progress to develop treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines has been limited by shortages of funding and human resources.

To raise awareness and spark action, the NTD Contest has been held annually since 2023, calling on young people in Japan who are passionate about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to learn more about NTDs and share their ideas.

This year, the contest will feature the following two categories:

• Category A: “Disseminating information on NTDs in an easy-to-understand way – Do you know about NTDs?”
• Category B (newly established this year): “Encouraging more people to take action against NTDs – Toward their elimination” (poster + written explanation)

We believe that it is especially important for the younger generation to see NTDs as their own issue and to consider how they, alongside Japan as a country, can help make a difference. As part of our support, the GHIT Fund will again present a special award: the GHIT Partnership & Innovation Prize. An award ceremony will be held on World NTD Day, January 30, 2026 (Friday), to honor this year’s winners.

We warmly encourage students across Japan to take part in the Third Neglected Tropical Disease Contest, and we look forward to many inspiring and creative submissions.

■ Third Neglected Tropical Disease Contest Information (only in Japanese)

https://worldntdday.jp/contest2026

■ Press release by NTDs Youth Organization (July 7, 2025, only in Japanese)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000010.000134800.html