Application Process - Rolling Continuation Channel - Applying for Funding - The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

The Global Fund's Rolling Continuation Channel
Proposals Process in Brief

1. Invitation for proposals		7. Local Fund Agent Assessment
2. Preparation		8. Grant Agreement Negotiation
3. Eligibility Screening		9. Signature & Disbursement
4. Technical Review		10. Ongoing implementation including: - Reporting on Performance - Reporting on Outcomes and Impact - Disbursement to sub-recipients - Resolving bottlenecks
5. Board Approval
6. Option for Appeals
		11. 3 year Mid-term Review

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) provides grants on a discretionary basis in support of technically sound and cost-effective interventions for the prevention of infection and the treatment, care and support of persons infected and directly affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Applicants whose expiring grants qualify for the Rolling Continuation Channel (based on factors including strong performance), submit proposals to the Secretariat (Secretariat) according to the Global Fund Rolling Continuation Channel Guidelines for Proposals (Guidelines) as published and regularly adapted by the Secretariat. The Secretariat forwards eligible proposals to the Technical Review Panel (TRP) for review. See the RCC - Frequently Asked Questions.

The following is a brief description of the Global Fund’s grant-making process:
*(Italics = approximate estimation of time for each relevant process stage

The Global Fund Secretariat sends an invitation package to Applicants whose grants have qualified for the Rolling Continuation Channel (invitation issued quarterly).
Applicants prepare a Rolling Continuation Channel specific proposal based on local needs and financing gaps. As part of the proposal, the Applicant continues with the same Principal Recipients (PR) or nominates new or additional PR(s). In many cases, development partners assist in the preparation of proposal. (Requires 3 months for proposal development process.)
Secretariat reviews proposal to ensure they meet eligibility criteria; forwards all eligible proposals to the Technical Review Panel (TRP) for consideration. (Requires 1-4 weeks of screening for eligibility depending on number of grants received.)

TRP reviews all eligible proposals for technical merit proposals are graded in four categories to be submitted for Global Fund Board approval:

Category 1	recommended for funding with no clarifications
Category 2	recommended for funding provided that clarifications and adjustments are met within a limited timeframe (initially within 4 weeks and other further adjustments/clarifications within 2 months)
Category 3	not recommended for funding based on technical merit but encouraged to resubmit through the Rounds-based channel following major revisions
Category 4	not recommended for funding based on ‘materially different’ proposal and rejected as a Rolling Continuation channel proposal

Board approves grants based on technical merit and availability of funds. (Board decision making process is by electronic vote; 10 day period to consider TRP recommendations.)
An Internal Appeal Mechanism allows Applicants whose proposals are not approved for funding an immediate appeal of the decision. (Requires appeal within 2 weeks after Board decision and 2 additional weeks for review of appeal.)
Secretariat contracts with one Local Fund Agent (LFA) per country. LFAs certify the financial management and administrative capacity of the nominated or existing PR(s). The ‘continuing’ grant will be subject to a LFA assessment. (Between a time of 1 to 3 months is required for the LFA assessment.)

The strengthening of identified capacity gaps may be included as conditions precedent to disbursement of funds in the grant agreement between the Global Fund and the PR.
Secretariat and PR negotiate grant agreement, which identifies specific, measurable outcomes to be tracked using a set of key routine, outcome and impact indicators.
Grant agreement signed. Based on request from the Secretariat, the World Bank makes the initial disbursement to PR for the continuation grant. PR makes disbursements to sub-recipients for implementation, as called for in the proposal. (Recommended grant signature within 6 months of the Board approval and must be signed within 12 months.)
Program and services continue. As the coordinating body at the country level, the CCM oversees and monitors progress during implementation. (Time required from Board approval to ongoing grant disbursement is 4-8 months depending on PR capacity.)
1. PR submits periodic disbursement requests with updates on programmatic and financial progress. LFA verifies information submitted and recommends disbursements based on demonstrated progress. Lack of progress triggers request by Secretariat for corrective action.
2. PR submits fiscal year progress report and annual audit of program financial statements to Secretariat through the LFA.
3. Regular disbursement requests and program updates continue, with future disbursements tied to ongoing progress.
The CCM requests funding beyond the initially approved three-year period. The Global Fund approves continued funding based on progress and availability of funds. (Further details to be provided after the Global Fund’s Sixteenth Board Meeting in November, 2007.)