This page outlines the step-by-step process by which eligible countries can apply for support through GAVI and The Vaccine Fund. The process is designed to ensure that funding is allocated based on clear eligibility criteria, structured technical review, and coordinated implementation with international partners.
The goal is to support national immunization efforts by providing financial resources, technical assistance, and procurement support. Countries are guided through proposal submission, external review, decision-making, and funding disbursement, all within a framework of transparency and collaboration.
Submitting Proposals and Progress Reports
Countries eligible for GAVI support—those with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of less than $1,000—are invited to submit formal proposals for funding. In addition to the initial application, countries receiving support are also required to submit annual progress reports. These documents must be submitted by specific deadlines set each year by the GAVI Secretariat, and all eligible countries are notified in advance of these timelines.
National governments are encouraged to coordinate proposal development and progress reporting with relevant partners, including technical agencies and in-country stakeholders. Typically, the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) oversees this process to ensure broad alignment and national ownership. All proposals and progress reports must be signed by the ICC, confirming national endorsement of the content and planned activities.
Once received, the proposals and reports undergo an initial screening by the GAVI Secretariat to confirm completeness and verify basic eligibility. Each document is then reviewed by an independent technical expert, often appointed through the World Health Organization (WHO), who examines the proposal for consistency, data validity, alignment with public health priorities, and overall program integrity.
Independent Review by the IRC
The Independent Review Committee (IRC) serves as a technical advisory body that evaluates country proposals and progress reports submitted for GAVI support. It operates as a neutral panel, providing objective, evidence-based assessments to guide funding decisions. The IRC is composed of three specialized teams: one for new proposals, one for monitoring ongoing support, and one focused on financial sustainability.
Members of the IRC are selected by the GAVI Executive Secretary following consultation with the GAVI Working Group and approval by the GAVI Board. Selection criteria emphasize technical expertise in immunization, public health, and development finance, while also ensuring geographic balance and institutional diversity. To maintain impartiality, all members must sign confidentiality and conflict-of-interest agreements, and they are excluded from reviewing proposals from their own countries or affiliated institutions.
Each IRC team reviews the relevant submissions according to guidelines and criteria established by GAVI. The teams assess whether the proposals align with national priorities, meet programmatic standards, and reflect accurate data. Their findings are used to formulate formal recommendations, which are then submitted to the GAVI Board. This review process plays a critical role in maintaining program accountability and ensuring that support is targeted effectively.
IRC Review Outcomes
Following the technical review of applications and progress reports, the IRC issues formal recommendations to the GAVI Board. These recommendations guide key decisions on whether countries will receive new funding, continue existing support, or be asked to revise and resubmit their submissions. The outcomes differ slightly depending on whether the review concerns a new application or an annual progress report.
Outcomes for New Applications
The IRC’s new proposals team evaluates the quality, completeness, and feasibility of initial country submissions. Based on their assessment, they recommend one of four outcomes to the GAVI Board: full approval, approval with clarifications, conditional approval requiring specific improvements, or resubmission due to major deficiencies. Clarification and conditional outcomes typically require follow-up within a set timeframe, while resubmissions are deferred to a future application round.
These outcomes help ensure that funding is only approved for programs that are ready for implementation and aligned with GAVI’s priorities. Countries that receive conditional or clarification feedback are encouraged to work closely with technical partners to revise their proposals before the next review cycle. This iterative process reinforces quality control and capacity-building within country-level immunization planning efforts.
Outcomes for Progress Reports
For countries already receiving support, annual progress reports are reviewed to determine whether continued funding is justified. The IRC’s monitoring team may recommend one of three outcomes: continuation of support, temporary suspension pending clarifications, or request for report resubmission if the data provided are insufficient. These outcomes ensure that disbursed funds are used responsibly and that program objectives are being met.
At the time of review, nearly all participating countries had submitted the required documentation to maintain their funding status. This reflects strong engagement and adherence to reporting requirements across the board. The IRC’s oversight plays a key role in sustaining transparency and program performance throughout the duration of GAVI support.
Recommendations and Fund Decisions
After the IRC completes its technical evaluation, the process moves into the decision-making phase. This stage involves endorsement by the GAVI Board and funding authorization by The Vaccine Fund’s Executive Committee. Here’s how the final decisions are made:
GAVI Board Review: The IRC’s recommendations are first presented to the GAVI Board. This body assesses the alignment of each proposal with GAVI’s strategic goals, available resources, and operational capacity. Historically, the Board has accepted all recommendations provided by the IRC.
Vaccine Fund Executive Committee Authorization: Once endorsed by the Board, approved proposals are submitted to The Vaccine Fund Executive Committee. This group is responsible for authorizing the release of financial support, ensuring that funding is allocated in accordance with donor expectations and organizational priorities.
Maintaining Oversight and Accountability: The separation between technical review and financial governance provides a strong system of checks and balances. By involving both the IRC and the Executive Committee, GAVI ensures transparent decision-making and responsible resource management.
Funding and Support Implementation
Once funding is approved, implementation begins through a coordinated effort involving financial transfers, technical assistance, and supply chain logistics. Disbursement of funds is handled by UNICEF, which manages The Vaccine Fund’s trust account. For programs involving Immunization Services Support (ISS), funds are typically transferred directly to a designated government account within the supported country. This ensures timely access to resources and direct financial responsibility.
In addition to monetary support, countries may receive vaccines and injection supplies procured through UNICEF’s Supply Division. These goods are delivered based on the approved application, with scheduling and distribution handled in coordination with national health authorities. Countries do not need to make separate procurement requests once their application is approved, simplifying the supply process and ensuring alignment with planned immunization activities.
Technical assistance plays a key role in the success of funded programs. Partners such as WHO, USAID, CDC, and PATH contribute support at various stages, including needs assessments, strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Donor contributions are directed either to the Vaccine Fund or directly to these implementing partners, depending on the nature of the support. This integrated model allows countries to benefit not only from funding but also from expert guidance to strengthen immunization outcomes.
Overview of the Application Flow
The GAVI application process is built on a transparent, phased structure that guides countries from initial planning through to funding and implementation. Each step is designed to promote efficiency, accountability, and collaborative decision-making between national governments, technical partners, and funding bodies. The following sub-sections explain how the process unfolds across three major phases.
Planning and Submission
The journey begins with the development of funding proposals or annual progress reports, typically led by a country’s Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC). This group coordinates input from the national health ministry, technical partners like WHO, and other stakeholders to ensure the proposal reflects national priorities.
Once finalized, the proposal is reviewed and endorsed by the ICC as a signal of government commitment and readiness. After endorsement, the documents are submitted to the GAVI Secretariat, where they undergo an initial screening to verify eligibility and completeness before entering the formal review process.
Technical Review and Decision-Making
Following submission, proposals and progress reports are evaluated by the Independent Review Committee (IRC). This panel includes experts organized into teams that focus on new applications, monitoring existing programs, or assessing financial sustainability. Each submission is assessed for technical quality, alignment with immunization goals, and feasibility of implementation.
Based on this review, the IRC issues one of several possible outcomes—ranging from full approval to recommendations for resubmission. These recommendations are forwarded to the GAVI Board for policy-level endorsement. Upon approval, they are then submitted to the Vaccine Fund Executive Committee, which authorizes funding disbursement.
Implementation and Support
Once funding is approved, the implementation phase begins with the release of financial support and delivery of supplies. For programs involving Immunization Services Support (ISS), funds are deposited directly into designated government accounts. In parallel, UNICEF’s Supply Division arranges the procurement and shipment of vaccines and injection materials as outlined in the approved proposal.
Technical assistance from partners such as WHO, CDC, USAID, and PATH supports countries during rollout, covering everything from planning to performance monitoring. Countries continue to engage with GAVI by submitting annual progress reports, which feed into the next cycle of review and ensure that program goals remain on track.
Conclusion
The GAVI country support process is structured to ensure that funding is provided responsibly, based on technical merit and national readiness. Each phase—from proposal development to financial disbursement and implementation, is guided by independent review, strategic oversight, and collaboration with global partners. This framework not only maintains transparency but also strengthens the delivery and effectiveness of immunization programs in eligible countries.
By following this process, countries gain access to more than just financial support. They also benefit from expert technical assistance, streamlined procurement systems, and long-term capacity-building. Through shared accountability and sustained engagement, the process enables countries to achieve stronger health outcomes and reinforces trust between stakeholders, donors, and international health institutions.