The funding request (formerly called 'the concept note') is the Global Fund's application instrument that countries use to access their allocated funding. Development of the funding request is a country-owned exercise that is guided by the ongoing country dialogue and should be based on existing national strategic plans for the disease component (s) in question. The Global Fund has revised its guidance and templates for access to funding for the 2023-2025 allocation period. Further information is available on the Global Fund funding application page.

The start-up process refers to the set of activities implemented by a UNDP Country Office (CO) or Regional Service Centre (RSC) when designated as Principal Recipient (PR) for Global Fund projects for the first time. The activities that are undertaken during the start-up process are designed to facilitate a timely start of grant implementation and prevent any interruption to critical programme activities and services, including delivery of health commodities. During the start-up process additional resources may be required by the CO to undertake preparatory actions and ensure the effective handover from the outgoing PR. Certain key steps in this process take place simultaneously with, or depend on, the successful completion of grant-making and the signing of the grant.

This process is primarily focused on the development of grant documents for submission to the Grant Approvals Committee (GAC) and ultimately Global Fund Board approval, after which the Grant Agreement can be signed. It is during this process that the approved funding request is developed into an operational programme with a detailed budget and work plan, performance framework, implementation arrangement mapping and list of health products, quantities and related costs. Negotiations occur between the Country Office (CO) and the Global Fund Secretariat, with significant support from the UNDP Global Fund/Health Implementation Support Team and the Legal Office (LO). Fundamental responsibilities for the process rest with the project manager, who is appointed by and responsible to UNDP. In cases where UNDP is taking on the role of Principal Recipient (PR) for the first time, please refer to PR start-up process.

The purpose of grant implementation is to achieve results as defined in the Grant Agreement and the approved UNDP project document, through the implementation and monitoring of outputs produced through a set of activities. The plan to achieve outputs for a given year is articulated in the work plan. Oversight of project implementation is the responsibility of the project manager, who is appointed by and responsible to UNDP. While the project is directly implemented by UNDP (DIM modality), specific activities are implemented by Sub-recipients (SRs). The steps of the implementation process are not entirely sequential, as many are implemented in parallel and at multiple stages of grant implementation. Some are also also ongoing and recurring.

Regular financial and programmatic reporting is necessary for periodic stock-taking and for documenting grant performance, issues and changes. UNDP Country Offices (COs) implementing Global Fund projects as Principal Recipients (PRs) are required to adhere to both Global Fund and UNDP financial and programmatic reporting requirements. Reports will draw information from verified Sub-recipient (SR) reports, information on UNDP implemented activities and contextual information.

The purpose of the grant closure process is to ensure the orderly closure of Global Fund programmes managed by UNDP Country Offices (COs). The Global Fund and UNDP have agreed at the corporate level on a tailored approach to closing UNDP-managed Global Fund grants. The process begins six to nine months prior to the end of the implementation period when the Global Fund issues a Notification Letter 'Guidance on Grant Closure' The grant's final funding decision is approved at the same time as the close-out plan. Following the last disbursement, the grant is placed in financial closure. Once all closure documentation has been submitted the grant is placed in final administrative closure and is de-activated from all Global Fund systems