WHO Global Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity Building Grant 2026

The WHO Global Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity Building Grant 2026 is a $50 million USD initiative aimed at strengthening health security in low- and middle-income countries. It focuses on building capacities for surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, IPC, risk communication, and health workforce surge. The grant is aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the Global Health Security Agenda. Awards range from $500,000 to $5 million USD over 18 to 36 months. The deadline for concept notes is June 30, 2026. This grant is ideal for organizations with experience in public health emergencies and a commitment to localization and gender equality. GSLI courses in public health, M&E, and project management are highly recommended to enhance proposal competitiveness and implementation success.

This grant is designed for a wide range of actors in the global health security ecosystem. Primary eligible entities include national ministries of health, national public health institutes, and WHO collaborating centers in LMICs. International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with a demonstrated track record in health emergency response, such as those operating in complex humanitarian settings, are also eligible. Academic and research institutions that can provide technical assistance in epidemiology, surveillance, and laboratory strengthening are encouraged to apply. Additionally, regional bodies like the Africa CDC or ASEAN health mechanisms may submit joint proposals. Priority will be given to organizations that have a presence in target countries and can demonstrate local ownership and capacity building. The WHO specifically encourages applications from organizations that have experience working with the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and have conducted Joint External Evaluations (JEEs). Applicants must have a robust financial management system, audited accounts for the past two years, and a proven ability to manage donor funds with transparency. The grant also requires a demonstrated commitment to gender equality and human rights, with specific activities that address the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, children, and displaced persons. Organizations must submit a letter of support from the respective national health authority to ensure alignment with national health emergency plans. Previous grantees of WHO emergency grants include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and various national public health institutes. The WHO expects that 50% of the funding will be sub-granted to local civil society organizations and community-based groups to ensure grassroots engagement and sustainability.

The WHO's global priorities for this grant are deeply rooted in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being). The primary investment KPIs are: (1) Reduction in time between outbreak detection and response initiation to less than 48 hours; (2) Increase in the proportion of health facilities with functional IPC programs to 80% in target districts; (3) Strengthening of laboratory capacity to confirm priority pathogens within 72 hours; (4) Improvement in risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) score as measured by the WHO RCCE competency index; (5) Enhancement of health workforce surge capacity through training of at least 500 healthcare workers per country. Specific thematic priorities include: a) strengthening early warning and surveillance systems, including event-based surveillance and integrated disease surveillance; b) upgrading public health laboratories through biosafety improvements, equipment, and quality management systems; c) enhancing emergency operations centers (EOCs) and coordination mechanisms; d) developing and testing national pandemic preparedness plans through simulation exercises; e) building capacity for health logistics and supply chain management for medical countermeasures. The WHO also emphasizes the importance of digital health tools and data analytics for real-time decision-making, with a specific requirement for investments in interoperable health information systems. Gender-responsive and inclusive approaches are mandatory, with at least 30% of activities targeting women and girls. The donor requires that all interventions be evidence-based and aligned with the WHO's Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedures. Furthermore, the grant promotes multi-sectoral collaboration, One Health approaches linking human, animal, and environmental health, and integration with existing health systems strengthening initiatives like the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).

Eligibility criteria are comprehensive and cover financial, spatial, and corporate legal aspects. Financially, applicants must have a minimum of three years of audited financial statements demonstrating sound fiscal management, with annual budgets exceeding $500,000 USD. Organizations must have a DUNS number or similar unique identifier (such as the WHO Vendor ID) and must not be debarred or suspended by any UN agency. They must also have a clear anti-fraud and anti-corruption policy in place. Spatially, the grant is open to organizations legally registered and operating in WHO Member States that fall under the LMIC category according to the World Bank income classification. Special considerations apply to fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) where local organizations may have limited capacity; in such cases, international organizations may apply but must demonstrate a concrete localization strategy. The grant requires a physical presence in the target country, either through a country office or a partnership with a locally registered entity. Corporate legal eligibility mandates that the organization be a non-profit entity (government, NGO, academic, or research institution) with a legal status that allows it to receive and transfer funds. For-profit entities are not eligible unless they are part of a consortium led by a non-profit. Additionally, applicants must have a commitment to the WHO's core values of transparency, accountability, and equity. They must also comply with the WHO's Environmental and Social Safeguards framework, which includes measures to mitigate any negative social or environmental impacts of the proposed activities. Intellectual property rights for any innovations developed must be shared on a non-exclusive basis with the WHO and partner governments. The eligibility review process includes a preliminary assessment by the WHO Country Office, followed by a technical review by the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). Organizations that have previously been flagged for non-compliance with WHO policies are disqualified.

To secure this WHO grant and maximize impact, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap with GSLI integration. Step 1: Conduct a comprehensive baseline assessment of the target country's IHR core capacities using the WHO's JEE or State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR) tool. This will identify specific gaps in surveillance, laboratory, IPC, and health workforce domains. GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation course is critical here to design robust data collection frameworks and baseline indicators. Step 2: Develop a detailed proposal that aligns with the WHO's three strategic pillars: prevention, detection, and response. The proposal should include a logical framework linking outputs to outcomes, with clear milestones and deliverables. GSLI's Project Management for Development course will help structure the proposal using tools like Gantt charts, risk matrices, and stakeholder engagement plans. Step 3: Establish strong partnerships with local ministries of health, WHO country offices, and other in-country stakeholders. The WHO expects proposals to demonstrate local ownership and collaboration. GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course will teach how to write compelling partnership narratives and capacity building plans. Step 4: Build a financial management and procurement system that meets WHO's compliance requirements. This includes setting up separate bank accounts for grant funds, developing procurement plans for medical supplies and equipment, and establishing internal audit mechanisms. GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain courses are essential for ensuring transparent fund utilization and efficient logistics. Step 5: Design a sustainability plan beyond the grant period. This involves training local trainers, integrating activities into national health budgets, and establishing communities of practice. GSLI's Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course can help identify co-financing opportunities. Step 6: Submit the concept note by June 30, 2026, with a clear theory of change and evidence of prior success. After the concept note is approved, develop the full proposal with detailed budgets, staffing plans, and risk assessments. Regular updates to the WHO will be required, and GSLI's Grants Management course is invaluable for navigating donor reporting and compliance. By following this roadmap, applicants can significantly increase their chances of success and contribute to global health security.