Pandemic Fund Third Call for Proposals: Phase II Frequently Asked Questions

The application deadline for Phase II is 11:59pm EDT on August 22, 2025 / 3:59am GMT on August 23, 2025.  Phase II focuses on Regional Entity Proposals. Phase I of the 3rd Call for Proposals -- including: a) Single-country proposals; and b) Multi-country proposals -- closed on June 6, 2025.   

The Pandemic Fund Application portal for Phase II will open on June 16, 2025 and close on August 22, 2025. During this time, applicants can submit their proposals. Please watch the tutorial video walk through of the process.  

There is no Expression of Interest for the 3rd Call for Proposals – Phase II.  

There are two types of proposals that will be accepted during Phase II:  

  1. Long Established Regional Entity proposal: This is a proposal submitted by a Regional Entity with demonstrated experience and technical credibility, along with one or more approved IEs. 
  1. Newly Established Regional Entity proposal: This is a proposal submitted by a Regional Entity, along with one or more approved IEs. The proposal must meet the following conditions:  
     
    • Rationale: A demonstrated rationale must be presented for the Newly Established Regional Entity. This should clearly articulate the unique value it adds in addressing critical gaps in regional coordination, capacity building, and public health functions, including those related to One Health and pandemic PPR. The proposal should demonstrate how the entity addresses structural or functional deficiencies, responds to unmet regional needs, and enhances the overall coherence, effectiveness, and sustainability of regional health initiatives.  
       
    • Independent Structure: The Regional Entity must be a standalone body and not a substructure or subsidiary of an existing organization. 
       
    • Functionality: Newly Established Regional Entities may not yet be fully operational; however, they are expected to demonstrate having functional capacity for at least three years, including evidence of ongoing activities and institutional setup. 

Phase II will provide Pandemic Fund grants to qualifying Regional Entity(ies). Regional Entities are defined as regional or sub-regional entities, bodies, or platforms that include specialized technical institutions, agencies, multi-country networks, organizations, or hubs established by the governments of more than one Eligible Country(-ies) to support their public health priorities,  including One Health initiatives, and strengthen PPR capacities. The majority of countries served by such entities must be eligible for support from the Pandemic Fund1. Further, these entities must possess a legal status that enables their establishment and effective functioning in a manner that serves the interests of the benefiting Member States. They must also be legally registered in their host country. Regional arms of a global organization that include Member States grouped within a geographical region of that organization are not eligible.  

It may be noted, however, that the three (3) Regional Entities that were awarded grants under the first and second CfPs are not eligible to receive Regional Entity grants under the third CfP including: the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA); the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); and the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaborative (GVTC).   

Funding proposals (referred to hereafter as “proposals”) may be submitted by the Regional Entity. 

Regional Entity proposals must be accompanied by a cover letter signed by high-level representatives, including from: 

  • The leadership of the Regional Entity. 
  • Identified IEs and, where possible, other key delivery partners. 

 

This letter should acknowledge the shared commitment of all stakeholders involved in the proposal’s objectives and implementation.  

Additionally, evidence of engagement and endorsement[1] from all relevant stakeholders who will benefit from the Regional Entity Proposal should be provided. If applicants cannot obtain governments’ endorsements, applicants must contact the Pandemic Fund Secretariat (pandemicfundcfp@worldbank.org) before the deadline to explain the situation. 

 

[1] Such as documentation of multi-stakeholder consultations and meetings including meeting agendas, participant lists, signed minutes, or reports that reflect stakeholder discussions and feedback. 

An example Cover Letter template is available to download here. Applicants are not required, however, to follow the template. 

Signed cover letters must be uploaded in the application portal by the application deadline (11:59pm EDT on August 22, 2025 / 3:59am GMT on August 23, 2025).  

A Regional Entity may submit a maximum of one Regional Entity Proposal.  

A country can be a member of two distinct Regional Entities that each submit a proposal.  

Long Established Regional Entity proposals may request up to US$40 million for any one proposal. Newly Established Regional Entity proposals may request up to US$15 million for any one proposal.  

You will receive an automated email from the Pandemic Fund through the Survey Monkey Apply platform. Please check your spam folder and allow emails from noreply@mail.smapply.net.  

The Pandemic Fund will announce selected projects under the Third Call for Proposals following the Board meeting in November 2025. 

Please reset your password by clicking on the “Forgot your password?” link found on the log-in page. Ensure you are using approved browsers. If issues persist, please email us at pandemicfundcfp@worldbank.org.  

Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge are supported browsers on laptops/desktops. Please make sure that your browsers are up to date. While you can access the application on mobile devices, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer. 

Choose one person to initiate the application process. After initiating an application, this person can invite others to collaborate on the application.  This can happen before the collaborators register with Survey Monkey Apply (the platform used for the Pandemic Fund application portal).  Please watch the tutorial video.  The person who initiated the process must also be the person to click the submit button for the application. This person will be the one who will receive communication on the application’s status from the Pandemic Fund Secretariat. 

If you cannot access the online application, please contact us via the helpdesk or by emailing pandemicfundcfp@worldbank.org. Applications must be submitted on the online application portal to be considered. Please make sure that the person who initiates the application process has access to consistent internet or access to a computer. 

Please note that all applicable fields (unless specified as optional) must be completed.  The entire table does not need to be filled out, but for any row with an asterisk (*) (for example, 1*), all columns in that row must be completed, as well as any additional rows that have been started.  Ensure that you scroll to the right within tables with a horizontal scrollbar to view and complete all required fields.  Further, please check that all fields are filled out with valid values.  Include only numbers (no symbols or separators) in number fields (for example, 1 million 500 thousand USD should be formatted 1500000).  Do not modify auto-calculated numbers.  Phone numbers can only include numbers and the plus (+) sign.  Emails must have a valid address, for example emailaddress@example.com. 

Please contact us at pandemicfundcfp@worldbank.org.  Include a detailed description of your issue, any relevant attachments/screenshots, and your contact information.  We will respond to you promptly. In addition, the Pandemic Fund Secretariat will host information sessions in June and July.  

The Pandemic Fund will hold information sessions on the requirements of the 3rd Call for Proposals – Phase II, technical considerations, and how to access the portal. The schedule is the following: 

  • Information Session 1 –  Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 7–9am EDT / 11am-1pm GMT
    Watch the recording  |  Passcode: dU&2tE*f

Sign-up information is posted on our website. Please also follow us on X @Pandemic_Fund and LinkedIn to be informed of the latest updates. 

If additional information is requested by the Pandemic Fund, your application will be “reopened” so that you may enter the information into your existing application.  After you have added the requested information, you can click on the submit button to update your proposal. 

 If you have any issues not listed in our FAQ, please email us at pandemicfundcfp@worldbank.org and we will contact you shortly to resolve your problem.