U.S. Launches $200 Million Health Funding Initiative to Combat TB and HIV in the Philippines

The Philippines currently ranks third globally in tuberculosis burden, with an estimated 100 Filipinos dying from TB every day. The country is also battling the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region.

These dual public health crises continue to place enormous pressure on an already stretched healthcare system, which faces challenges including decentralized governance, supply chain disruptions, and the logistical difficulties of serving a population spread across more than 7,000 islands.

The Opportunity

In response to these challenges, the U.S. Department of State is channeling major investments through a new country-specific addendum under its Advancing Global Health program.

The initiative is now accepting Statements of Interest (SOIs) for projects aimed at strengthening integrated and sustainable health systems in the Philippines. Up to six awards will be issued, with total funding reaching as much as $200 million. Selected projects may run for up to five years.

The program focuses on four key objectives, with priority investments targeting Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM):

• Disease surveillance and outbreak response: Strengthening laboratory networks, genomic sequencing capacity, early warning systems, and rapid response teams.
• Integrated service delivery: Linking HIV, TB, neglected tropical diseases, and maternal and child health programs to reduce fragmentation across public, private, and community-based healthcare facilities.
• Domestic financing: Supporting Philippine agencies in transitioning from U.S. assistance to locally financed systems, improving PhilHealth utilization, and streamlining drug registration processes.
• Performance accountability: Enhancing data-driven monitoring systems in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and the Department of Health, including portfolio tracking, geospatial analytics, and adaptive program management.

The opportunity is open to U.S. and foreign private enterprises, universities, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and Public International Organizations. Both comprehensive integrated proposals and specialized single-objective SOIs are encouraged. Cost-sharing is not required.

Special thanks to Jirair Ratevosian for inspiring the post idea.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2026.