WHO/IBP Network SPARK Grants 2026: Up to $20,000 for Youth-Led, Women-Led and Indigenous-Led Community Organizations Worldwide
The WHO/IBP Network is offering grants of up to USD 20,000 to support community-led initiatives focused on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and rights. The program aims to fund 5 to 10 youth-led, women-led, and Indigenous-led organizations worldwide.
Overview
The WHO/IBP Network SPARK Grant Program (Shifting Power through Action and Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange) provides direct funding and learning opportunities for community-based organizations. The initiative aims to support projects that adapt, apply, and improve the use of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, tools, and evidence in real-world settings. The program prioritizes power-shifting, ensuring that communities shape project design, decision-making, and implementation rather than serving merely as program recipients.
Selected projects will run for approximately one year. The program looks to support at least one organization across each of the six WHO regions: the African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Western Pacific Region.
Benefits
- Flexible grant funding of up to USD 20,000 per organization.
- Technical support from the WHO/IBP Network and access to relevant WHO guidelines and implementation tools.
- Connection to global Communities of Practice, including youth, women’s health, and power-shifting networks.
- Visibility and documentation opportunities to share local innovations and implementation lessons with a global audience.
Eligibility
- Open to community-based organizations that are youth-led, women-led, or Indigenous-led.
- Applicants should generally have been operating for at least two years.
- Organizations must have previous implementation experience using at least one WHO guideline, tool, or product.
- Priority is given to organizations that are new to WHO and IBP Network funding mechanisms.
- Proposals may focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights alongside intersecting areas such as maternal health, climate, livelihoods and poverty reduction, education, or faith-based initiatives.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit an initial concept note of no more than 500 words in English, French, or Spanish through the official online application form. The concept note must detail the organizational overview, proposed activity, power-shifting approach, budget of up to USD 20,000, implementation timeline, and a documentation and learning plan.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 9 October 2026.