The Pandemic Fund's Governing Board has approved a $500 million grant for its third round of funding, aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness in low- and middle-income countries. This funding will focus on improving health systems capacity in disease surveillance, diagnostics, laboratory systems, and workforce development.
Countries, regional entities, and implementing entities can submit proposals through an online portal starting March 2025. The process will occur in two phases: single and multi-country proposals in March 2025, followed by regional entity proposals in June 2025. The medium-term Strategic Plan emphasizes themes such as One Health, community engagement, gender equity, and strengthening public health institutes and networks.
Dr. Chatib Basri and Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana stated that the Fund's achievements over two years have been significant. "Nearly half of its first US$2 billion in pledges have been awarded through two global funding rounds," they said. They highlighted recent outbreaks as reminders of the need for ongoing pandemic preparedness efforts.
So far, the Pandemic Fund has distributed $885 million in grants, mobilizing an additional $6 billion through co-financing efforts across 75 countries. Priya Basu noted the high demand for these grants: “Low- and middle-income countries don’t want to be caught unprepared again."
Applications for single-country and multi-country proposals open on March 14, 2025, with a deadline of May 30, 2025. Regional entity proposal submissions are expected from mid-June to mid-September 2025. Funding awards are anticipated by early November 2025.
Further funding rounds may launch later in 2025 if resources align with strategic goals. The Pandemic Fund is currently engaged in a fundraising campaign launched in July 2024 to meet a short-term goal of $2 billion.
For more information on applying for the third round of funding: https://www.thepandemicfund.org/call-for-proposals