TB REACH launches call for proposals for Wave 3
TB REACH, an initiative of the Stop TB Partnership to promote early and increased TB case detection, today has launched its call for applications for Wave 3 funding. Partners of the Stop TB Partnership, national TB programmes, HIV programmes, local and international NGOs, civil society and community-based organizations can apply for this fast-track funding for early and increased TB case detection among poor, vulnerable and at-risk populations.
For Wave 3, TB REACH will have two separate funding tracks:
The General Wave 3 Track is open to applicants from 86 eligible countries. Applicants for this track can propose all types of innovative TB case finding interventions, however they are encouraged to focus on detecting TB in the following populations: people living with HIV, children, miners, migrants, incarcerated persons and people with diabetes or COPD.
The UNITAID Xpert Track is open to applicants in 19 countries who wish to implement Xpert MTB/RIF scale-up interventions.
In June 2012 UNITAID approved funding of the proposal put forward by the WHO Stop TB Department and the Stop TB Partnership for rolling out the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in selected countries. TB REACH, supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will co-fund part of the implementation costs of the tests (excluding instruments and cartridges) in 19 countries , drawing on its experiences gained so far in the early introduction of the test.
In three of these countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan) there will be a specific focus on sustainable public-private partnership approaches that will be organized and supported by Interactive Research and Development in collaboration with the national TB programme. In the other 16 countries all approaches will be considered provided applications meet eligibility criteria and are accompanied by a letter of support from the national TB programme. Grants under the UNITAID Xpert Track are for two years and for up to $US 1 million.
Detailed information about Wave 3, application forms, , how proposals are reviewed, some of the different types of interventions that would be appropriate and other requirements for submission are available here. The deadline for submitting proposals for Wave 3 is 17 September 2012.
TB REACH was launched in January 2010 with multi-year grant support from CIDA. TB REACH provides short-term and fast-track grants to projects that aim to achieve early and increased TB case detection using innovative approaches in populations that are poor and vulnerable and have limited access to care. Selection of projects is done via a competitive process by an independent Proposal Review Committee. To ensure the evidence of impact, an independent monitoring and evaluation agency is responsible for measuring progress and validating results. TB REACH has so far supported 75 projects in 36 countries through the first two waves of funding.
Stop TB Partnership
