Open Call: Vital Strategies Grant Program to Reduce Tobacco Use

The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use is inviting proposals from low- and middle-income countries to support high-impact tobacco control policy reforms. Grants ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000 per year are available for projects that strengthen tobacco taxation, smoke-free laws, advertising bans, graphic warnings, and WHO FCTC implementation.

The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use funds evidence-based tobacco control interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The program focuses exclusively on policy change that leads to measurable and sustainable reductions in tobacco use at national or sub-national levels.

Funded by Michael R. Bloomberg through Bloomberg Philanthropies and managed by Vital Strategies and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Initiative has approved 1,037 grants across 65 countries since its launch in 2006.

Program Goal

The central objective is to reduce tobacco-related death and disease by strengthening tobacco control laws, regulations, and public policies.

Projects must:

• Address strategic gaps in national tobacco control

• Focus on sustainable policy reform

• Avoid duplication of previously funded work

• Demonstrate high potential for measurable public health impact

Priority Policy Areas

Proposals must align with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and MPOWER measures.

Key policy priorities include:

1. Tobacco Taxation and Price Measures

• Increasing tobacco excise taxes

• Strengthening tax administration

• Addressing illicit trade in relation to taxation

2. Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship Bans

• Direct advertising bans

• Indirect marketing restrictions

• Comprehensive sponsorship prohibitions

3. Smoke-Free Legislation

• Smoke-free public places

• Smoke-free workplaces

• Strong enforcement mechanisms

4. Graphic Health Warning Labels

• Large, impactful pictorial warnings

• Packaging regulations aligned with FCTC

5. FCTC Article 5.3 Implementation

• Policies protecting public health from tobacco industry interference

• Safeguards against industry influence

Types of Grant Rounds

Two competitive grant rounds are offered annually:

Open Grant Round

Open to all eligible low- and middle-income countries.

Strategic Grant Round

Limited to applicants from ten priority countries:

• Bangladesh

• Brazil

• China

• India

• Indonesia

• Mexico

• Pakistan

• Philippines

• Ukraine

• Vietnam

Funding Details (Round 39)

Main Grants

• Funding range: USD 50,000 to USD 250,000 per year

• Project duration: 6 to 24 months

• Budget must align with organizational capacity

• Cost reasonableness will be assessed

Tobacco Industry Interference Grants

• Up to USD 30,000

• Duration: Up to 6 months

• Focus: Identifying and countering tobacco industry activities

Cessation Grants

• Up to USD 400,000

• Duration: Up to 24 months

• Focus: Population-level tobacco cessation interventions

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Governmental organizations (national ministries, state or municipal authorities)

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with demonstrated advocacy experience

• Legally registered entities capable of:

  • Entering contractual agreements

  • Receiving foreign funding

  • Assuming legal and financial responsibilities

Additional requirements:

• NGOs must not receive financial support from tobacco product manufacturers or affiliated entities

• Individuals are not eligible to apply

Applicants must operate in countries classified as low- or middle-income by the World Bank.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not fund:

• Education-only programs

• Agricultural or crop-substitution programs

• Basic academic research

• Prevalence surveys

• Standalone cessation services

• Projects duplicating previously funded efforts

Research is eligible only if it directly supports policy implementation.

Why This Initiative Matters

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, particularly in LMICs where regulatory frameworks are often weaker.

Strengthening tobacco control policies:

• Reduces healthcare costs

• Prevents premature deaths

• Protects youth from addiction

• Promotes economic productivity

• Advances Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being)

Policy-level interventions have the highest and most sustainable impact on tobacco consumption.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• Ensure your country qualifies as an LMIC

• Confirm your organization is legally registered

• Verify no financial ties to tobacco manufacturers (for NGOs)

Step 2: Identify a Strategic Policy Gap

• Review existing national tobacco control policies

• Identify gaps in taxation, advertising bans, smoke-free laws, labeling, or industry interference safeguards

Step 3: Develop a Policy-Focused Proposal

Your proposal should clearly define:

• The specific policy change targeted

• The advocacy or implementation strategy

• Stakeholders involved

• Timeline (6–24 months)

• Expected public health impact

• Budget aligned with organizational capacity

Step 4: Ensure Alignment with FCTC and MPOWER

Demonstrate how your project strengthens global tobacco control standards.

Step 5: Submit During the Appropriate Grant Round

Determine whether to apply under:

• Open Grant Round

• Strategic Grant Round (if based in a priority country)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals focused only on awareness campaigns

• Proposing academic research without policy implementation linkage

• Overestimating organizational capacity

• Requesting unrealistic budgets

• Failing to demonstrate measurable policy outcomes

• Duplicating previous Bloomberg-funded initiatives

Successful proposals clearly connect advocacy activities to specific legislative or regulatory outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for Bloomberg Initiative tobacco control grants?

Government agencies and legally registered NGOs in World Bank-classified low- and middle-income countries.

2. What is the funding range for Round 39?

Main grants range from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000 per year for projects lasting 6–24 months.

3. Are individuals eligible?

No. Only legally registered organizations can apply.

4. Can NGOs with tobacco industry funding apply?

No. NGOs must not receive financial support from tobacco manufacturers or affiliated entities.

5. Does the program fund research studies?

Basic academic research and surveys are not funded. Research directly supporting policy implementation may be considered.

6. Are cessation services eligible?

Standalone cessation services are not funded under the main grants. However, separate Cessation Grants support population-level cessation interventions.

7. How many countries have received funding?

Since 2006, 1,037 grants have been approved across 65 countries.

Conclusion

The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use is one of the world’s leading tobacco control funding mechanisms, focused on sustainable policy reform in low- and middle-income countries.

By supporting taxation reform, advertising bans, smoke-free laws, graphic warnings, and protection from tobacco industry interference, the Initiative drives measurable reductions in tobacco use and strengthens global public health systems. Organizations with strong advocacy capacity and clear policy objectives are encouraged to apply.