APPLICATIONS UNDER THE BRIDGE FUNDING MECHANISM ARE BY INVITATION ONLY

Author:

David Garmaise

Article Type:

Article Number: 1

ABSTRACT The Global Fund is processing applications now for funding under the Bridge Funding Mechanism. The BFM is intended to plug any gaps in funding created by the fact that disbursements for proposals approved under the Transitional Funding Mechanism won't start flowing until early 2013.

The Global Fund Secretariat is processing applications now for funding under the Bridge Funding Mechanism (BFM). Applications are by invitation only. The BFM is intended to plug any gaps in funding created by the fact that disbursements for proposals approved under the Transitional Funding Mechanism (TFM) won’t start flowing until early 2013.

The Global Fund Board is expected to start approving applications under the TFM Mechanism in June 2012. Because some time is required to respond to requests for clarifications from the Technical Review Panel (TRP) and to complete grant negotiations, agreements are not expected to be signed before the end of 2012.

For this reason, at its meeting in November 2012, the Global Fund Board established the BFM to provide what the Fund calls “exceptional, time-limited” funding for applicants that are eligible for funding under the TFM, that are applying for funding under the TFM, and whose current grants reach their end date between 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012.

Funding under the BFM is meant as a “last resort.” Applicants have to demonstrate that no alternative sources of funding are available. Under the rules for the BFM, only existing activities under the expiring grants are considered eligible.

The amount of bridge funding allowed for each request is determined by the Secretariat based on an analysis of the activities in the proposal and the resources left over at the end of the expiring grant.

Under the Global Fund’s Comprehensive Funding Policy, bridge funding will have the same priority as TFM funding. Thus, it will have a lower priority than continuity of services funding, grant renewals, staggered commitments and Round 10 grants.

The Global Fund Secretariat will send a letter inviting eligible CCMs to apply for bridge funding; whenever possible, the letter will be sent out three months prior to the grant end date. Requests for funding under the BFM can be approved by the Secretariat, except in certain circumstances where the requests have to be approved by the Global Fund Board.

There is no appeal mechanism. However, applicants that are turned down under the BFM may apply for continuity of services funding (if they qualify).

More information is available in an Operational Policy Note contained in the Global Fund’s Operations Policy Manual dated 22 December 2011. The manual is available here. Look for “Operational Policy Manual.”