Global Fund to fight Aids, TB and Malaria

Founded four years ago with the aim of drastically scaling up the resources available to fight the three diseases, the Global Fund currently mobilizes 20 percent of international financing to combat HIV/ AIDS, and 65 percent of all international funds invested in combating malaria and tuberculosis.

said Richard Feachem, the Executive Director of the Global Fund. “The launch of Round Six today allows us to maintain this vital momentum to win the battle against these three pandemics.”

The launch of Round Six enables countries to seek funding for achieving global targets such as universal access to AIDS treatment and prevention by 2010, and to cut the number of deaths from tuberculosis and malaria by half by 2015. In addition, the launch of the sixth round is especially significant for a number of countries whose current grants will reach the end of their five-year lifespan over the coming years. Where countries have shown effective use of donor resources, Round 6 presents the opportunity to build on programs which are having an impact in fighting and preventing the three diseases, and to ensure continuity for those already on treatment.

Following the launch of a new round, grant proposals are submitted by countries to the Global Fund, and evaluated by an independent Technical Review Panel. Proposals of high quality are recommended to the Board of the Global Fund for approval. The Board approves programs for two years, with an option to renew funding for a second three-year phase if the programs achieve targeted results. Since it was created in January 2002, the Global Fund has approved US$ 5.1 billion to 385 grants, supporting programs implemented in 130 countries.

The deadline for submission of grant proposals is 3 August 2006 and the grants recommended for approval will be presented to the Board it its meeting, in November 2006.

www.theglobalfund.org