The Pandemic Fund Announces First Round of Funding to Help Countries Build Resilience to Future Pandemics

The Pandemic Fund Governing Board approved $300 million in financing for its first round of funding to help developing countries better prepare for and respond to future pandemics. The Fund is encouraging eligible countries and Implementing Entities to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for potential projects to be financed. This will also help facilitate collaboration between countries and partners as well as better determine their interest and needs. The first round of funding will be directed towards strengthening comprehensive disease surveillance and early warning, laboratory systems, and human resources/public health workforce capacity. 

The Pandemic Fund is a collaborative partnership among donor governments, co-investor countries, foundations, civil society organizations, and international agencies. It was founded last year to dedicate stream of long-term funding for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) in eligible low- and middle-income countries via investments and technical support. The Pandemic Fund will designate funding where investments are most critically needed to strengthen PPR for COVID-19 and future pandemics, as well as address capacity gaps at national, regional, and global levels. The goal is to attract high-impact projects that will catalyze additional external financing, incentivize countries to prioritize and invest in PPR, and promote cooperation and coordination among partners. 

Interested countries and Implementing Entities are invited to submit the EOI form by February 24, 2023. Subsequent details including submission requirements, process and timelines, and the evaluation process and criteria for the funding proposals will be published on the Pandemic Fund website.