Review Process

Once a funding request has been submitted to the Global Fund it is reviewed by technical experts to ensure that investments are positioned to achieve the greatest impact against the diseases in the specific context of the portfolio.

Technical Review Panel (TRP)

The TRP is a team of independent technical experts with expertise in HIV; TB; malaria; health systems and community systems; human rights, equity and gender; sustainable financing; and cross-cutting development issues such as climate and health. As described in their Terms of Reference, they have the responsibility for assessing funding requests on the basis of technical merit, strategic focus, positioning for sustainability and potential for impact. They also provide input on some grants and advise the Global Fund Board.

To perform their review, the TRP uses their review criteria to determine the extent to which funding requests demonstrate:

  • Strategic focus;
  • Technical soundness;
  • Potential for impact;
  • Program quality;
  • Prioritization; and
  • Evidence-based programs for key and vulnerable populations.

The TRP Review Criteria are based on the 2023-2025 Global Fund Strategy.

Following their review of funding requests, the TRP makes recommendations on the following aspects:

  • Review Outcome: funding requests for allocation funding will either be recommended for grant-making, where the component-level funding request will be converted into individual grants, or recommended for iteration, with the applicant requested to re-develop their funding requests, taking into account certain factors highlighted by the TRP. As applicable, the TRP will also recommend matching funds for grant-making or iteration.
  • Prioritized Above Allocation Request (PAAR): PAAR is also evaluated by the TRP alongside the funding request, and interventions which meet the TRP criteria are registered as “unfunded quality demand” (UQD) and placed on the UQD Register where they can be funded during grant-making or implementation.
  • Issues and Actions: the TRP will often identify deficiencies in the funding request that are not significant enough to merit iteration, but still need to be addressed to maximize the potential of the investments and the effectiveness of the grants. These issues and actions describe what is asked, of whom, and on what timeline.