The Catalytic
Opportunity Fund

The Catalytic Opportunity Fund (COF) is a rapid response financing mechanism that supports introduction and scale-up of new and lesser-used reproductive health products in LMICs.

The COF is a flexible pool of funds to support time-bound projects and catalytic activities that advance introduction and scale-up. The COF has multiple product funding streams for H-IUD, DMPA-SC self-injection, MA combipacks, and Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Important Updates & Submission Deadlines

Upcoming COF Submission Deadlines: We are pleased to share the upcoming application deadlines for COF Cycles 9 and 10.

Please take note of the timeline relevant to your area of submission:

  • Cycle 9 Hormonal IUD and MA Combipacks: Applications due Monday, June 23

  • Cycle 9 DMPA-SC: Applications due Tuesday, July 1

  • Cycle 10 Hormonal IUD and MA Combipacks: Applications due Monday, September 15

  • Cycle 10 DMPA-SC:  Applications due Thursday, September 25

NEW: Required Expression of Interest (EOI): All prospective applicants must now submit a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form at least two weeks before the cycle submission deadline. Applicants who fail to submit an EOI on time will be ineligible to apply.

The EOI is quick to complete and can be found here. Please refer to the upcoming EOI deadlines below:

  • Hormonal IUD & MA Combipacks

    • EOI Due: Monday, June 9, 5:00 PM WAT

    • Full Application Due: Monday, June 23, 5:00 PM WAT

  • DMPA-SC

    • EOI Due: Tuesday, June 17, 5:00 PM WAT

    • Full Application Due: Tuesday, July 1, 5:00 PM WAT

Updated Application Materials: All Cycle 9 applicants must use the refreshed application templates, labeled "Version May 2025." Submissions using outdated materials will not be considered. Please download the latest templates.

French application materials will be posted directly on the website shortly.

COF Ethos and Principles

  • Catalytic, Time-Bound Opportunities

    Opportunities should have a clearly articulated impact to catalyze product introduction and scale-up, demonstration of funding needs, and alignment to the various definitions of “catalytic” for each of the funding streams.

    Opportunities should be time-bound projects (ranging from 9-12 months or less depending on which COF) with clear outcomes and results within the grant duration.

  • Country and Government Ownership

    The COF’s ethos is to provide funding that is aligned to government priorities and plans; shifting from traditional donor and partner top-down funding models toward greater country ownership.

    Opportunities are assessed on its merit for ensuring government-led introductions with the intention of enabling Ministries of Health to drive national priorities for introduction and ensure sustainable approaches to product scale-up.

  • Agile and Flexible Funding

    The COF is designed to rapidly deploy funding to allow for time-sensitive identification and action on catalytic opportunities; allowing grantees to repurpose funding to pivot to evolving government priorities and availability of funding through existing in-country programs identified during the grant.

  • Fair and Transparent Decision-Making

    Funding decisions follow a standardized process and are based on transparent criteria with input from relevant stakeholders in the SRH community

For more information on the DMPA-SC COF, H-IUD COF, and MA Combipack COF, please visit their dedicated pages.