Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Strengthening Community Systems and Health Supply Chains 2026-2028

The Global Fund's call for proposals 2026-2028 on strengthening community systems and health supply chains is a strategic funding window aimed at reinforcing the ability of health systems to deliver quality services for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This call recognizes that community systems are the foundation of equitable health access, particularly for marginalized populations who often face barriers to care. The funding envelope for this stream is approximately US$2.5 billion over three years, with individual grants ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. The Global Fund uses a performance-based funding model, meaning disbursements are tied to milestone achievements. This approach requires applicants to be meticulous in their planning and reporting. The deadline for concept notes is November 30, 2026, followed by an extended technical review process. Successful applicants will likely be notified by March 2027, with implementation starting by June 2027. This timeline allows organizations to prepare thoroughly. The call is structured around two interconnected pillars: strengthening community systems to increase demand for and use of health services, and improving supply chains to ensure consistent availability of products. Proposals must address both pillars coherently. This overview provides a high-level understanding of the opportunity, the strategic importance of community systems, and the critical role of supply chains. It also highlights the need for robust M&E, which GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation' course can support. The Global Fund emphasizes sustainability and local ownership. Therefore, proposals that demonstrate government co-financing, alignment with national health plans, and community engagement will be prioritized. The donor also encourages integration of services for the three diseases with other health areas such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and non-communicable diseases. This holistic approach increases efficiency and impact. In addition, innovation is valued: digital supply chain tools, use of drones for delivery, or community-based distribution networks are all encouraged. The proposal should outline how the organization will leverage technology to improve transparency and efficiency. Moreover, the Global Fund has a strong focus on human rights and gender equality. Proposals must include a gender analysis and a plan to address specific barriers faced by women, girls, and key populations. For example, in some contexts, women may need female-friendly services, and men may need different outreach strategies. Similarly, key populations often face stigma and discrimination, requiring peer-led models of care. Overall, this call is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the epidemics while building long-term health system capacity. Organizations lacking in certain competencies can strengthen their proposals by committing to training, such as GSLI's courses on 'Procurement & Supply Chain' and 'Project Management for Development', which will build the necessary skills for successful implementation. The 2026-2028 cycle also integrates lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of resilient supply chains and community preparedness. The Global Fund expects applicants to have contingency plans for potential disruptions, such as pandemics, natural disasters, or conflict. For instance, maintaining a buffer stock of essential medicines and having alternative distribution routes are crucial. The proposal should also address the needs of fragile and conflict-affected states, where community systems often fill the gap left by weak state capacity. In such settings, partnerships with local civil society are essential. Furthermore, the Global Fund requires data-driven decision-making. The use of health information systems (e.g., DHIS2) for tracking supply chain and disease trends is mandatory. Organizations should have or plan to acquire this capacity. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course can help articulate these complex elements in a clear, donor-aligned manner. In summary, this call is a well-funded opportunity for organizations with a strong community presence and supply chain expertise. By investing in training and partnerships, even smaller organizations can mount competitive proposals.

Strategic Overview

The Global Fund's call for proposals 2026-2028 on strengthening community systems and health supply chains is a strategic funding window aimed at reinforcing the ability of health systems to deliver quality services for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This call recognizes that community systems are the foundation of equitable health access, particularly for marginalized populations who often face barriers to care. The funding envelope for this stream is approximately US$2.5 billion over three years, with individual grants ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. The Global Fund uses a performance-based funding model, meaning disbursements are tied to milestone achievements. This approach requires applicants to be meticulous in their planning and reporting. The deadline for concept notes is November 30, 2026, followed by an extended technical review process. Successful applicants will likely be notified by March 2027, with implementation starting by June 2027. This timeline allows organizations to prepare thoroughly. The call is structured around two interconnected pillars: strengthening community systems to increase demand for and use of health services, and improving supply chains to ensure consistent availability of products. Proposals must address both pillars coherently. This overview provides a high-level understanding of the opportunity, the strategic importance of community systems, and the critical role of supply chains. It also highlights the need for robust M&E, which GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation' course can support. The Global Fund emphasizes sustainability and local ownership. Therefore, proposals that demonstrate government co-financing, alignment with national health plans, and community engagement will be prioritized. The donor also encourages integration of services for the three diseases with other health areas such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and non-communicable diseases. This holistic approach increases efficiency and impact. In addition, innovation is valued: digital supply chain tools, use of drones for delivery, or community-based distribution networks are all encouraged. The proposal should outline how the organization will leverage technology to improve transparency and efficiency. Moreover, the Global Fund has a strong focus on human rights and gender equality. Proposals must include a gender analysis and a plan to address specific barriers faced by women, girls, and key populations. For example, in some contexts, women may need female-friendly services, and men may need different outreach strategies. Similarly, key populations often face stigma and discrimination, requiring peer-led models of care. Overall, this call is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the epidemics while building long-term health system capacity. Organizations lacking in certain competencies can strengthen their proposals by committing to training, such as GSLI's courses on 'Procurement & Supply Chain' and 'Project Management for Development', which will build the necessary skills for successful implementation. The 2026-2028 cycle also integrates lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of resilient supply chains and community preparedness. The Global Fund expects applicants to have contingency plans for potential disruptions, such as pandemics, natural disasters, or conflict. For instance, maintaining a buffer stock of essential medicines and having alternative distribution routes are crucial. The proposal should also address the needs of fragile and conflict-affected states, where community systems often fill the gap left by weak state capacity. In such settings, partnerships with local civil society are essential. Furthermore, the Global Fund requires data-driven decision-making. The use of health information systems (e.g., DHIS2) for tracking supply chain and disease trends is mandatory. Organizations should have or plan to acquire this capacity. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course can help articulate these complex elements in a clear, donor-aligned manner. In summary, this call is a well-funded opportunity for organizations with a strong community presence and supply chain expertise. By investing in training and partnerships, even smaller organizations can mount competitive proposals.

Who is it For?

The call is open to a broad range of entities, but with specific emphasis on community-based organizations (CBOs) that are deeply rooted in local populations, especially those representing key and vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, and migrant populations. Also eligible are national and international NGOs with proven experience in health systems strengthening, advocacy, and service delivery. Public sector institutions such as ministries of health and local government health departments can apply, but they must demonstrate strong partnerships with civil society. Academic institutions and research organizations focusing on implementation science are also eligible if they collaborate with community actors. Importantly, the Global Fund encourages applications from organizations in low- and lower-middle-income countries heavily burdened by the three diseases. Applicants must have a clear mandate to strengthen community systems—defined as the structures, processes, and capacities that enable communities to access and deliver health services. This includes promoting community health workers (CHWs), supporting community-led monitoring, and building supply chain competency at the community level. Financially, organizations must have at least two years of audited financial statements and a proven track record of managing grants of similar size (typically $500,000 to $5 million). Spatial audit considerations: applicants must serve defined geographic catchment areas with high disease prevalence and weak health infrastructure. Legal requirements include registration as a legal entity in the country of operation, compliance with local tax laws, and adherence to anti-corruption and anti-terrorism financing regulations. The Global Fund also requires a signed code of conduct and disclosure of any conflicts of interest. Furthermore, organizations must demonstrate technical capacity in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), financial management, and procurement and supply chain management (PSM). Those lacking in-house expertise are encouraged to partner with technical assistance providers or invest in capacity building, such as GSLI's courses in Procurement & Supply Chain and Financial Management for NGOs.

Priorities

The Global Fund's 2026-2028 strategy is anchored on 'Building Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health' (RSSH). Key investment KPIs include: (1) percentage of health facilities with no stock-out of essential medicines and diagnostics, (2) number of community health workers trained and deployed, (3) proportion of key populations reached with prevention services, (4) improvement in community-led monitoring systems, and (5) reduction in the unit cost of service delivery. Donors are increasingly focused on value for money and impact, requiring proposals to include clear cost-effectiveness analyses and sustainability plans. Additional priorities are integration with national health insurance schemes, digital health solutions for supply chain tracking, and innovative financing mechanisms such as results-based financing. The Global Fund also emphasizes human rights and gender equality, expecting applicants to address barriers like stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence that hinder access to services. In the context of community systems, special attention is given to strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations to manage grants, implement activities, and report outcomes. Another priority is fostering partnerships with the private sector for logistics and distribution. The donor also wants to see alignment with the WHO's Essential Medicines List (EML) and national treatment guidelines. Climate resilience is a new cross-cutting theme, given the impact of climate change on disease transmission and health infrastructure. Proposals should articulate how they will adapt supply chains to climate shocks (e.g., floods, heatwaves) that can disrupt medicine storage and transport. Data transparency and interoperability with national health information systems (HIS) are also critical, as the Global Fund expects real-time data sharing on stock levels, patient outcomes, and community feedback. Finally, the call encourages South-South cooperation and knowledge exchange among countries facing similar challenges.

Eligibility

Financial criteria: Applicants must have a minimum annual operating budget of $200,000 for the last two fiscal years and provide audited financial statements. The grant request must be between $500,000 and $5 million, though exceptions may be considered for large national programs. The organization must demonstrate sufficient liquidity to cover initial implementation costs before reimbursement if a reimbursement mechanism is chosen. Spatial criteria: The proposal must target a specific geographic area (e.g., district, region, or multiple countries) with high disease burden and weak health systems. For cross-border proposals, coordination with national authorities is required. Corporate legal audits: The applying entity must be legally registered in the country of operation for at least three years, with valid registration certificates, tax identification numbers, and proof of nonprofit status (if applicable). The organization must have a board of directors or equivalent governing body with clear policies on conflict of interest, code of ethics, and whistleblower protection. Additionally, the Global Fund requires evidence of internal control systems, including financial management policies, procurement procedures, and asset management guidelines. Organizations that have previously mismanaged Global Fund grants are ineligible until remediation is complete. Also, any entity listed on the UN Security Council Consolidated List or involved in terrorist financing is disqualified. The eligibility also extends to consortia: groups of organizations can apply jointly, but a single lead partner must assume legal and fiduciary responsibility. The lead partner must meet all eligibility criteria individually. For informal networks or unregistered CBOs, the Global Fund encourages forming a consortium with a registered NGO that can serve as the grantee. Furthermore, the donor requires that at least 30% of the grant budget be sub-granted to community-level actors, ensuring funds reach the grassroots. Finally, all applicants must have a valid DUNS number or equivalent for due diligence checks.

Path to Success

Step 1: Institutional Capacity Audit and Gap Analysis. Before drafting the proposal, conduct a thorough self-assessment of your organization's technical, financial, and operational capacities in community systems strengthening and supply chain management. Use tools like the Global Fund's Capacity Assessment Checklist or the WHO's Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool. Identify gaps in areas such as M&E, procurement, financial management, and proposal writing. For example, if your team lacks expertise in supply chain inventory management, consider enrolling in GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' short course. Similarly, if financial reporting is a weakness, the 'Financial Management for NGOs' course will be invaluable. Document all gaps and develop a capacity-building plan that will be included in the proposal's sustainability section. This demonstrates to donors that you are proactive about strengthening your systems. Step 2: Strategic Partnership Development and Alignment. Forge partnerships with other CBOs, national health programs, and technical agencies like WHO, UNICEF, or local universities. A consortium approach often scores higher as it shows collective impact. Establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines roles, responsibilities, and sub-granting arrangements. Align your proposal's objectives with the national health sector plan (NHSP) and the Global Fund's country allocation letter. Engage with the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) early to get their endorsement and input. Also, ensure your project's geographic focus aligns with the country's high-burden districts for AIDS, TB, and malaria. Use geospatial data to justify your choice. Step 3: Develop a Comprehensive, Data-Driven Proposal. Write a compelling narrative that links community systems strengthening to supply chain improvements. Use epidemiological data to establish baselines and set ambitious yet achievable targets. Include a detailed logical framework with SMART indicators (e.g., 'reduce stock-outs of antiretroviral drugs from 20% to 5% in 3 years'). Budget realistic costs using unit costs from Global Fund's price lists. Incorporate a risk matrix that identifies key risks (e.g., supply chain disruptions, political instability) and mitigation strategies (e.g., pre-positioning stock, community engagement). Ensure the proposal includes a separate section on sustainability, explaining how interventions will continue after Global Fund funding ends. Step 4: Leverage GSLI Training for Capacity Enhancement. To strengthen specific competencies, recommend at least two GSLI courses directly relevant to your proposal. For instance, the 'Project Management for Development' course (which covers proposal writing, budgeting, and monitoring) and the 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course (which teaches indicator development, data collection, and reporting) are excellent choices. Additionally, the 'WASH' course could be cross-sold if the project involves water and sanitation components. These courses not only build your team's skills but also signal to the Global Fund that you invest in quality. Include a brief statement in the proposal's capacity-building section about planned training. GSLI also offers a 'Writing Winning Proposals' course that can be used to train key staff before submission. Finally, after submission, prepare for a technical review by having all supporting documents ready (e.g., audits, CVs, registration).

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Deadline: 2026-11-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal