The Catalytic
Opportunity Fund

The Catalytic Opportunity Fund (COF) is a rapid response financing mechanism that supports introduction and scale-up of new and lesser-used reproductive health products in LMICs.

The COF is a flexible pool of funds to support time-bound projects and catalytic activities that advance introduction and scale-up. The COF has multiple product funding streams for H-IUD, DMPA-SC self-injection, MA combipacks, and Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Important Updates & Submission Deadlines

Upcoming COF Submission Deadlines: We are pleased to share the upcoming application deadlines for COF Cycle 10. Please refer to the timeline relevant to your area of submission:

  • Hormonal IUD and MA Combipacks: Applications due Monday, September 15

  • DMPA-SC and PPH Products:  Applications due Thursday, September 25

Required Expression of Interest (EOI): All prospective applicants must submit a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form prior to the submission deadline. Applicants who do not submit an EOI on time will be ineligible to apply.

The EOI for Cycle 10 is now OPEN, and submission deadlines vary by funding stream. Please consult the corresponding funding stream page on the COF website for the relevant deadline. The EOI can be accessed here.

We’re excited to announce the reopening of the COF’s small-grants mechanism for PPH products! We are now accepting new applications.

Join our upcoming webinar on August 13 at 9:00 AM EST for an informational session reviewing the PPH COF scope, changes, and application process. We welcome your participation, and you can Register Here.  

COF Ethos and Principles

  • Catalytic, Time-Bound Opportunities

    Opportunities should have a clearly articulated impact to catalyze product introduction and scale-up, demonstration of funding needs, and alignment to the various definitions of “catalytic” for each of the funding streams.

    Opportunities should be time-bound projects (ranging from 9-12 months or less depending on which COF) with clear outcomes and results within the grant duration.

  • Country and Government Ownership

    The COF’s ethos is to provide funding that is aligned to government priorities and plans; shifting from traditional donor and partner top-down funding models toward greater country ownership.

    Opportunities are assessed on its merit for ensuring government-led introductions with the intention of enabling Ministries of Health to drive national priorities for introduction and ensure sustainable approaches to product scale-up.

  • Agile and Flexible Funding

    The COF is designed to rapidly deploy funding to allow for time-sensitive identification and action on catalytic opportunities; allowing grantees to repurpose funding to pivot to evolving government priorities and availability of funding through existing in-country programs identified during the grant.

  • Fair and Transparent Decision-Making

    Funding decisions follow a standardized process and are based on transparent criteria with input from relevant stakeholders in the SRH community

For more information on the DMPA-SC COF, H-IUD COF, MA Combipack COF, and PPH Products, please visit their dedicated pages.