Aidspan Releases New Report on Strengths of Proposals

Author:

David Garmaise

Article Type:

Article Number: 3

ABSTRACT The English-language version of "Key Strengths of Rounds 8, 9 and 10 Proposals to the Global Fund - An Aidspan Report" has been released. The report, which should be of interest to applicants working on proposals for Round 11, provides examples of elements of strong proposals, as identified by the Technical Review Panel.

Attention: All Round 11 Applicants – Report cites 64 proposals from Rounds 8, 9 and 10 that were praised by the TRP

Links are provided to relevant sections of the proposals

“Key Strengths of Rounds 8, 9 and 10 Proposals to the Global Fund – An Aidspan Report” has been released in English. The French-, Spanish- and Russian-language versions of the report should be available by the end of June. The report should be of interest to applicants working on proposals for Round 11.

The purpose of the strengths report is to provide information to Global Fund applicants on key attributes of a strong proposal. The report is based on an analysis of the strengths of all approved Rounds 8, 9 and 10 proposals, as identified by the Technical Review Panel (TRP).

The strengths report is an updated version of the report Aidspan produced in January 2010 on the strengths of Rounds 8 and 9 proposals.

There is a separate section of the report on each of 13 key strengths. In each section, Aidspan identifies a number of proposals that exemplify the strength in question. For each such proposal, the report cites the comments made the TRP, identifies the specific parts of the proposal relevant to the strength in question, and provides links to those parts of the proposal (as well as to the entire completed proposal form.)

In all, 64 proposals are cited in the report. While most of the proposals mentioned are disease-specific, some health systems strengthening (HSS) components are also included.

The 13 key strengths are as follows:

KEY STRENGTH 1 – Implementation Strategy. The proposal presents a strong and coherent implementation strategy that flows throughout the proposal – including on the proposal form, in the Performance Framework, in the workplan and in the budget – and that includes timing and sequencing of activities, identification of who is responsible for implementing individual activities, and clear statements of planned outcomes.

KEY STRENGTH 2 – Epidemiology. The proposal contains a solid description of the current epidemiological situation.

KEY STRENGTH 3 – Situational Analysis. The proposal contains a solid analysis of the current response to the disease and the gaps in that response.

KEY STRENGTH 4 – Capacity Building. The proposal identifies capacity constraints among implementing agencies and contains solid strategies to address them.

KEY STRENGTH 5 – Innovative Approaches. The proposal uses innovative approaches to address some of the national programme gaps and weaknesses.

KEY STRENGTH 6 – Multiple Sectors in Service Delivery. The proposal includes the use of multiple sectors and partners to deliver services, so as to scale up more quickly towards universal access.

KEY STRENGTH 7 – Monitoring and Evaluation. The proposal has a clear plan for monitoring activities and evaluating the impact of interventions.

KEY STRENGTH 8 – Detailed Budget. The proposal includes a budget with sufficient detail and assumptions to allow for the costs of activities to be fully assessed.

KEY STRENGTH 9 – Coordination and Management. The proposal features a strong coordination and management plan.

KEY STRENGTH 10 – Complementarity and Additionality. The proposal complements and adds to other initiatives, including previous Global Fund grants, programmes funded by other donors, and government initiatives.

KEY STRENGTH 11 – Alignment. The proposal is clearly aligned with national development strategies, and national policies and plans for the disease.

KEY STRENGTH 12 – Gender and Social Inequalities. The proposal includes a solid gender analysis as well as programmes to address gender and social inequalities.

KEY STRENGTH 13 – Proposal Development. The proposal was developed through a broad consultative process.

The strengths report can be download from the Aidspan website, or by clicking here.