AIDSPAN RELEASES REPORT ON STRENGTHS OF ROUNDS 8 AND 9 PROPOSALS

Author:

Bernard Rivers

Article Type:

Article Number: 2

ABSTRACT Aidspan has released a new report on "Key Strengths of Rounds 8 and 9 Proposals to the Global Fund." The report is based on an analysis of the strengths of all approved Rounds 8 and 9 proposals, as identified by the TRP when it reviewed the proposals.

Aidspan, publisher of GFO, has released a new report on “Key Strengths of Rounds 8 and 9 Proposals to the Global Fund.” The purpose of this report, which is available in English, French, Spanish and Russian, 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 and 9 proposals, as identified by the Technical Review Panel (TRP) when it reviewed the proposals. The report is an updated version of “Key Strengths of Round 8 Proposals to the Global Fund,” which Aidspan released after Round 8 was completed. The new report includes examples of several Round 9 proposals that were praised by the TRP, as well as a revised list of the most important strengths that characterise a successful proposal. These key strengths, as compiled by GFO based on all the comments made by the TRP, 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 – Drivers of the Epidemic. The proposal includes clear strategies to address the more challenging drivers of the epidemic in ways that will have a meaningful impact on preventing further infections.

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. The proposal includes a solid gender analysis as well as programmes to address gender inequalities.

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

There is a separate section of the report on each of the 13 strengths. In each section, Aidspan identifies a limited 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, 49 proposals are cited in the report. While most of the proposals mentioned are disease-specific, some health systems strengthening (HSS) components are also included.

“Key Strengths of Rounds 8 and 9 Proposals to the Global Fund” is available, in four languages, at www.aidspan.org/aidspanpublications.