CFPs: Tobacco Industry Interference Grants for Civil Society Action

The Tobacco Industry Interference Grants provide short-term funding of up to USD 30,000 for civil society organizations to expose and counter tobacco industry actions that undermine tobacco control. The grants prioritize low- and middle-income countries and support advocacy, investigative research, media engagement, and policy action over a six-month project period.

Overview of the Funding Opportunity

The Tobacco Industry Interference Grants are designed to support short-term, targeted projects that identify, expose, and directly counter tobacco industry activities that weaken or delay effective tobacco control.

These grants focus on rapid, action-oriented initiatives that respond to clearly identified tobacco industry tactics affecting policy development, implementation, or enforcement. Priority is given to projects implemented in low- and middle-income countries where industry interference often has the greatest impact on public health.

Purpose and Strategic Focus

The primary purpose of this funding is to strengthen responses to tobacco industry interference at the country and regional levels.

Supported projects aim to expose industry strategies, counter actions that stall tobacco control priorities, and address gaps in national capacity to respond effectively to tobacco industry influence.

The grants also seek to reinforce advocacy, evidence generation, and policy engagement that lead to tangible progress in tobacco control.

Priority Areas of Support

Projects funded under this grant should align with one or more of the following focus areas.

Exposing tobacco industry interference in public policy, regulation, or public discourse.

Countering industry actions that delay, weaken, or obstruct tobacco control measures.

Addressing gaps in country-level capacity to monitor and respond to tobacco industry tactics.

Supporting specific tobacco control measures through advocacy and policy action.

Strengthening investigative research, journalism, and media engagement related to tobacco industry practices.

Promoting accountability and transparency in decision-making processes affected by industry influence.

Project Duration and Funding Amount

The grants support short-term projects with an implementation period of approximately six months.

The maximum budget per project is USD 30,000.

Proposed budgets must be reasonable, clearly justified, and aligned with the scope and objectives of the planned activities.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include legally registered not-for-profit and civil society organizations from any country.

This includes non-governmental organizations, media institutions, investigative journalism organizations, independent policy institutes, and research organizations with relevant experience or capacity.

Organizations working in areas such as public health, corporate accountability, social justice, human rights, youth engagement, environmental advocacy, or governance are encouraged to apply, even if they have not previously worked specifically in tobacco control.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to manage grant funds, enter into contractual agreements, and comply with legal and financial requirements, including receiving foreign funding where applicable.

Geographic Priorities

While applications are accepted globally, funding priority is given to projects implemented in low- and middle-income countries.

Projects should demonstrate a strong understanding of local tobacco industry dynamics and how proposed activities will directly address interference in the specific country or context.

Independence from the Tobacco Industry

All applicants must be fully independent from the tobacco industry.

Organizations are required to demonstrate that they do not receive financial or in-kind support from tobacco product manufacturers or from any entity that advances the interests of the tobacco industry, including parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, or industry-funded organizations.

This independence is a mandatory eligibility requirement and must be clearly documented.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Funded projects are expected to produce concrete, action-oriented outcomes within the six-month grant period.

These may include increased public awareness of tobacco industry interference, strengthened advocacy campaigns, policy engagement informed by investigative evidence, improved media coverage, or tangible progress toward stronger tobacco control measures.

Projects should clearly explain how activities will directly contribute to countering tobacco industry interference rather than only documenting it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the Tobacco Industry Interference Grants?

They are short-term grants that support civil society organizations to expose and counter tobacco industry activities that undermine tobacco control policies and implementation.

How much funding can an organization receive?

Each project can receive up to USD 30,000.

How long can projects run?

Projects are expected to be implemented over approximately six months.

Who is eligible to apply?

Legally registered not-for-profit and civil society organizations, including NGOs, media institutions, research organizations, and policy institutes, are eligible to apply.

Are organizations without prior tobacco control experience eligible?

Yes. Organizations with strong investigative, media, advocacy, or policy capacities are encouraged to apply even if they have not previously worked in tobacco control.

Are projects limited to specific countries?

Applications are accepted globally, but projects in low- and middle-income countries are prioritized.

What types of activities can be funded?

Eligible activities include advocacy, investigative research, journalism, media engagement, policy analysis, and actions that directly counter tobacco industry interference.

What does independence from the tobacco industry mean?

Applicants must not receive any financial or other support from tobacco companies or related entities and must be able to demonstrate full independence from industry influence.

Conclusion

The Tobacco Industry Interference Grants offer a focused funding opportunity for civil society organizations to take timely and strategic action against tobacco industry practices that threaten public health.

By supporting investigative, advocacy, and policy-driven initiatives, the grants aim to strengthen tobacco control efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where industry interference remains a major challenge.