Advancing Global Health

The U.S. Department of State, through its Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), has issued the "Advancing Global Health" Annual Program Statement (APS) under funding opportunity number DFOP0017890. This APS is a mechanism for implementing the America First Global Health Strategy, with an emphasis on strengthening health systems globally in a manner that also reinforces American safety and prosperity. GHSD is leveraging bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partner governments to facilitate government-to-government (G2G) health initiatives. The APS supports activities that either directly implement or complement these MOUs, addressing gaps, providing targeted support, and encouraging country self-reliance. The APS allows the Department of State to issue specific Addenda throughout the year to highlight funding priorities and areas for investment. Interested applicants must submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) in response to a specific Addendum, not to the APS alone. These SOIs serve as initial concept notes outlining proposed activities, anticipated outcomes, and high-level implementation plans. Selected SOIs may be invited to submit full applications, and in some cases, applicants may undergo a consultative co-design process with the Department to refine proposals. The funding may be distributed as grants or cooperative agreements, the latter involving more substantial collaboration with the Department. The total estimated funding available under this APS is up to $4.5 billion, subject to availability. Individual awards may range from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $250 million, with an anticipated total of up to 100 awards. The performance period for projects may extend up to five years. Though cost sharing or matching is not required, applicants can propose it voluntarily; however, it will not influence the merit review of SOIs. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. and foreign entities, such as private for-profit enterprises, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, Public International Organizations, and government institutions. Importantly, applicants are not required to be registered in SAM.gov or possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at the SOI phase, but these registrations are mandatory before submission of a full application in Phase 2. Entities or individuals listed on the Excluded Parties List System or with outstanding federal debt are ineligible. The APS outlines a structured submission process: SOIs must follow specific formatting and include details such as the responding Addendum, target countries, total federal funding requested, cost share if any, proposed project length, issue/challenge addressed, activities, expected results, and potential partners. Submission windows occur quarterly with set deadlines: Window 1 ends May 31, Window 2 on August 14, Window 3 on November 14, and Window 4 on February 14. Each window has a corresponding Q&A deadline and anticipated response date. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov or MyGrants; emailed or faxed applications are not accepted. Applications are evaluated by a GHSD Merit Review Panel based on program relevance, feasibility, organizational capacity, and alignment with U.S. foreign policy priorities. SOIs deemed suitable may move forward either to co-design or directly to full application development. The review also considers risk assessments, indirect costs, and eligibility compliance. Award notices are issued by the Grants Officer, and funding is contingent upon continued availability of appropriations and satisfactory project performance. Post-award, grantees are expected to comply with applicable federal policies and submit regular financial and programmatic reports in line with the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR) requirements.

SOIs must respond to a specific Addendum; outline clear outcomes; panel reviews only up to page limit.