Common Questions

Is my organization eligible to apply for a grant?

The BI Grants Program utilizes World Bank country income groups to establish eligibility to apply for a grant.  Organizations from low- and middle-income countries are welcome to apply: low-income,  lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries.

 

Who can apply for a grant?

Governmental and non-governmental organizations based in eligible countries can apply for grants.

  •  Governmental organizations include, but are not limited to, national Ministries, state/provincial authorities and affiliate offices.
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with relevant advocacy experience aimed at changing or implementing policies.

Please note that the grants program does not fund individuals.



What kind of projects will be funded?

Proposals must focus on achieving policy change that will lead to substantial reductions in tobacco use.

Priority will be given to projects that lead to sustainable improvements in tobacco control laws, regulations, policies and programs at the national or sub-national level (e.g. provinces, states), including (but not restricted to):

  •  Tax and price measures, including anti-smuggling measures
  • Direct and indirect advertising bans and effective enforcement of direct and indirect advertising bans
  • Establishment of smoke-free workplaces and public places, and effective enforcement of smoke-free policies
  • Implementation of graphic warning labels on tobacco products
  • Other evidence-based regulatory/legislative initiatives

The grants program can also support, where improving tobacco policy is their central goal:

  • Development of strategic alliances and coalitions
  • Monitoring Industry behaviour and practices


What kind of projects will NOT be funded?

The grants program does not fund education programs (school-based or otherwise) nor is does it fund agricultural or crop-substitution programs.

Nor does the grants program fund basic research, academic studies, prevalence surveys or cessation services.

Systematic surveys of adult prevalence are being undertaken separately with the support of the Bloomberg Initiative and are not funded through the grants program.


How much funding can a project receive?

Proposals can be submitted for grants from US$50,000 up to US$500,000 per year.  Short-term, one-year and two-year project proposals will be considered.

Funding levels should be consistent with the scope and capacity of your organization. Cost reasonableness is a factor in the consideration of proposals.

 

How do I submit a Project Idea?

All applications must be submitted via an online system during the times applications are being accepted. No Project Ideas will be accepted after the deadline has passed.

A link to the online system will be provided on the Apply for a Grant page.

 

Can I submit more than one Project Idea?

Yes you are welcome to submit more than one Project Idea. Once you have submitted the previous application simply click on the new form activation and a blank form will appear.

 

Can I insert pictures and graphs into my Project Idea?

No. The system only accepts text so any insertions of pictures or graphs would be removed by the system during submission, or may stop your application from going through completely. 

 

Why am I not allowed to submit a Project Idea in my own language?

Applications can be accepted only in English. Although we would like to be able to receive multiple language applications, we cannot cater for everyone. Assistance can be provided via the program or please contact your local World Health Organization (WHO) Office for assistance with translation.

 

How will Project Ideas be selected to go forward?

Project Ideas are reviewed by a joint working group of The Union and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
 
The Union manages grants designed to strengthen government and NGO efforts to control tobacco use. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids manages grants aimed at developing and implementing strategic advocacy campaigns.
 


How do you score reviews?

Project Ideas will be scored on their

  • potential to reduce tobacco use (50%);
  • project design (25%); and
  • organizational capacity and collaboration (25%).

Overall consideration will be given to Project Ideas that fill a strategic gap in tobacco control identified within countries / regions, and show effective partnerships. Gaps could include (but are not restricted to) taxation, industry monitoring, graphic health warnings, and smokefree initiatives.
 


Why didn’t my Project Idea get accepted?

We receive hundreds of Project Ideas each round and can only accept a small number of those. We place particular emphasis on the Project Idea meeting all the criteria for eligibility, meeting a strategic gap and fitting in with other work being carried out in country.

Although we cannot give everyone feedback we encourage you to submit another Project Idea in the next round.

 

What happens if I have technical trouble and it is close to the deadline?

We strongly encourage you to submit at least one day prior to the deadline. If you do experience technical problems our admin team should be able to help. Please do not email through your Project Idea to us expecting it to be accepted.

 

What happens once I have submitted my Project Idea?

The system will send you an automated message advising your Project Idea has been submitted, and provide you with an application number. If you have created an account when submitting you will see your Project Idea will appear in the submitted section of your Account page.

 

Why didn’t I get an automated message?

Often submission confirmation emails bounce back due to incorrect entry of an email address, or email accounts that may block the email. You will receive your Project Idea confirmation email from info@tobaccocontrolgrants.org. Make sure your email system does not block this email or puts it in the Junk folder.

 

When is the next Call for Proposals launched?

Please check the ‘About the Program’ page for information on the next round.