Introduction

Imagine you run a small clinic in a remote part of Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. You’ve managed to treat patients with HIV, TB, and malaria, but your resources—like lab tests, trained staff, or even reliable supply chains—are stretched thin. Then you hear about a grant opportunity that doesn’t just fund one program, but empowers your entire health system, from community health workers to data systems.

That transformative support comes from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria—an international financing mechanism that goes beyond disease-specific interventions, focusing instead on strengthening the backbone of healthcare delivery in countries that need it most. Today, let’s take a deep dive into the Global Fund’s 2025 grants aimed specifically at health systems strengthening. We’ll unpack how it works, why it matters—especially for countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East—and what people on the ground can do to benefit from it.

Overview of the Topic

The Global Fund is a Geneva-based international financing and partnership organization established in 2002. It pools resources from donors worldwide to finance programs targeting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, while also reinforcing health systems overall.

Every few years, the Global Fund raises resources through a “replenishment” process. Its Eighth Replenishment, launched in early 2025, revolves around a compelling Investment Case: with US$18 billion in funding, it aims to save 23 million lives, reduce mortality from AIDS, TB, and malaria by two-thirds, and significantly strengthen global health systems.

But what does supporting health systems mean in practice? In the 2024–2026 grant period, health and community systems received US$6 billion—a 35% increase over previous cycles. That funding went toward areas like:

• Community health worker networks

• Laboratory infrastructure

• Surveillance and early-warning systems

• Medical oxygen supply and respiratory care

• Data systems and health product management

This shift reflects a deep understanding: disease-specific gains aren’t sustainable if health systems themselves are fragile.

Why Global Fund Grants 2025 Matter

1. They’re more than just disease programs

When you hear about the Global Fund, you might think “bed nets” or “antiretrovirals.” But today, it’s much broader—investing deeply in the systems that enable every health intervention. As one of the largest funders in global health, the Global Fund’s move toward strengthening systems represents a step-change in investing for sustainability.

2. Lives saved at scale—and faster

The Investment Case promises an astounding impact: saving 23 million lives by 2029 through strong health systems and disease programming. Combined mortality from the three diseases could fall by 64% relative to 2023 levels.  That’s life-changing—for families, communities, and countries.

3. It’s about preparedness, not just treatment

A robust health system can tackle routine outbreaks and respond to pandemics. As highlighted in the Global Fund’s 2025 strategy, investing in systems builds resilience—securing local readiness for future crises.

4. It’s happening now, and the timing is critical

The 2025 replenishment cycle is underway. Early donor commitments—from Australia, Norway, Spain, Luxembourg, and others—fuel this momentum. Without enough replenishment, many countries risk losing critical funding and reversing progress.

Key Importance

For countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, here’s what makes these grants especially relevant:

• Equity and access – Many of the world’s poorest communities are in these regions. Strengthening systems ensures no one is left behind.

• Disease burden – These regions carry high burdens for HIV, TB, and malaria. Interventions adapted to unique local needs matter.

• Fragile infrastructure – Many areas suffer from weak labs, unreliable data systems, and limited oxygen supply. The Global Fund directly targets these gaps.

• Local ownership – The Fund’s model uses in-country mechanisms (Country Coordinating Mechanisms) to involve government, communities, NGOs, and the private sector. That builds lasting local buy-in.

Key Insights

Let’s walk through some crucial findings about the Global Fund’s 2025 health systems strengthening grants.

1. Health systems funding is a major budget chunk

In the 2024–2026 period, about one-third of the Global Fund’s annual grant funding—equating to US$6 billion—was allocated to health systems strengthening. That’s the biggest increase in its history.

2. Spending is targeted, not just general

These funds support specific system components, such as:

• Training and supporting community health workers

• Enhancing lab networks and diagnostics

• Upgrading surveillance and early response systems

• Ensuring oxygen delivery for respiratory crises

3. Momentum is high—but fragile

Australia, Spain, Luxembourg, and Norway have all pledged early in the replenishment cycle. Norway’s commitment alone—nearly $1 billion over five years to Global Fund and Gavi—is a sign of things moving in the right direction.

4. A future breakthrough: long-acting HIV prevention

A new injectable HIV prevention drug—lenacapavir—was recently added to the provider’s toolkit. Through a deal with Gilead Sciences, the Global Fund will help supply it to two million people in low-income countries over three years. This is modern, effective prevention built on robust delivery systems.

Benefits

So, what does all this mean on the ground—especially for countries in our focus regions?

• Improved service delivery: More trained health workers and better labs mean faster diagnosis and treatment.

• Enhanced resilience: Systems built to manage three major epidemics are also better at responding to pandemics.

• Equity: Strengthening systems tends to prioritize the most marginalized—far from hospitals and clinics.

• Local ownership: Country-level coordination ensures investments meet country-specific needs.

• Value for money: Every dollar invested in stronger systems avoids duplication and inefficiencies in vertical programs.

Real-World Examples

Let’s explore three fictional but realistic case studies highlighting how different stakeholders—students, educators, and parents—benefited from Global Fund grants in 2025.

Example A: The International Student (Asia)

“When I started my public health studies, the lab at our university would take days to deliver HIV test results. That changed when my institution secured Global Fund grants to upgrade lab infrastructure and train technicians. Today, turnaround time is hours, not days.”

This Asian university improved diagnostic capacity through a Global Fund-supported lab strengthening program, speeding up HIV and TB detection—resulting in quicker treatment and reduce onward transmission.

Example B: The Educator (Africa)

“As an MPH lecturer, I struggled with outdated surveillance case studies. But when our university partnered with the Ministry of Health and received funding to strengthen early warning systems, I could include real-time data and response simulations in my lessons.”

Thanks to Global Fund investment in surveillance systems, this educator now teaches with actual health data. Students train using timely outbreak information—preparing them for real-world roles in epidemiology.

Example C: The Parent & Community Leader (Middle East)

“In our town, oxygen shortages during winter pneumonia outbreaks were a real threat. A Global Fund health systems grant enabled our clinic to stock oxygen concentrators, train staff in respiratory care, and improve supply chains. My children now recover quickly when they fall ill.”

This local health center received funding to strengthen oxygen delivery systems—making immediate difference for minor respiratory cases that could otherwise have escalated into emergencies.

Table: Comparison of Global Fund Health System Investments vs. Disease-Specific Programs