Unitaid Launches $25M Initiative to Strengthen Maternal and Newborn Health Supply Chains

Deadline: 20-Mar-2026 Unitaid has launched a US$25 million funding call for a four-year, multi-country project to eliminate barriers to Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) products. The initiative targets at least five countries, focusing on systemic supply chain reforms, cross-country learning via the Supply Chain Leaders Forum, and meaningful community engagement. This grant aims to scale innovative procurement and distribution solutions to reduce maternal and newborn mortality globally. Unitaid is seeking a single consortium to implement a transformative project designed to improve equitable access to quality-assured MNH products. By addressing systemic enablers—such as policy updates, advanced procurement, and community advocacy—the project aims to ensure that life-saving health products reach the women and newborns who need them most, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Why It Matters: Overcoming Systemic Health Barriers Maternal and newborn mortality rates remains high in many regions due to a lack of access to essential medicines and equipment. Bridging the Policy-Practice Gap: Many WHO-recommended products exist but are not included in national guidelines or local supply chains. Resilient Supply Chains: Standardized procurement often fails during emergencies; this project encourages “Value-Based Procurement” and “Demand Aggregation.” Scaling Innovation: By funding a multi-country consortium, Unitaid ensures that a solution found in one country can be adapted and scaled across others. Community-Led Advocacy: Leveraging the success of HIV and family planning models, this call prioritizes civil society to drive demand and accountability. Key Concepts and Definitions Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Products: Essential medicines (e.g., oxytocin, magnesium sulfate), diagnostic tools, and medical devices specifically recommended by the WHO for pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. Supply Chain Leaders Forum: A structured platform used for peer-to-peer learning, allowing different nations to share best practices and track shared impact metrics. Value-Based Procurement: A purchasing strategy that looks beyond the lowest price to consider the total cost of ownership, product quality, and health outcomes. Demand Aggregation: Combining the requirements of multiple regions or countries to increase bargaining power and ensure a stable supply of goods. Systemic Enablers: The underlying structures—laws, logistics, and digital systems—that allow health products to move efficiently from manufacturers to patients. Who is Eligible? Unitaid is looking for a Consortium of partners rather than individual organizations. Structure: Preference is given to a single consortium capable of addressing all project objectives across at least five countries. Scope: Must include at least five countries with high maternal/newborn mortality or diverse supply chain systems. Government Alignment: Proposals must demonstrate clear demand and interest from national government ministries and agencies. Experience: Ability to manage large-scale (up to US$25 million) grants and facilitate cross-country policy changes. Project Requirements & Country Selection Proposals must provide a clear rationale for the countries selected. Ideal candidates include: High-Burden Regions: Countries with significant maternal and newborn mortality rates. System Diversity: A mix of countries with different procurement models (e.g., centralized vs. decentralized) and languages. Scalability: Countries where interventions can serve as “learning hubs” for the rest of the world. How it Works: The Three-Pillar Approach The project is divided into three core focus areas: Country-Led Interventions: Updating national guidelines to include WHO-recommended MNH products. Implementing emergency ordering mechanisms to prevent stockouts. Developing last-mile delivery solutions for remote populations. Cross-Country Learning: Utilizing the Supply Chain Leaders Forum for structured exchange. Jointly measuring the impact of new procurement strategies. Facilitating peer-to-peer technical support. Civil Society and Community Engagement: Involving representatives of women who use MNH products in the design process. Partnering with professional medical associations and NGOs. Advocating for the rights of patients to access quality-assured care. Funding and Duration Total Funding: Approximately US$25 million. Project Duration: Four years. Allocation: The majority of the budget is reserved for targeted country interventions, with dedicated portions for community engagement and the Supply Chain Leaders Forum. Common Mistakes and Tips Mistake: Lack of Sustainability. Proposals that only buy products without changing the underlying procurement policies are unlikely to be funded. Mistake: Ignoring Local Context. Interventions must be co-designed with local ministries of health to ensure they survive past the four-year grant period. Tip: Focus on Transferability. Clearly explain how a solution implemented in Country A can be documented and “packaged” for Country B. Tip: Meaningful Engagement. Ensure civil society is not just a “consultant” but a core partner in the project’s governance and advocacy efforts. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the total budget for this Unitaid call? The approximate funding for the entire project scope is up to US$25 million. 2. Can an organization apply for just one country? No. Unitaid requires a multi-country approach involving at least five countries, preferably managed by a single consortium. 3. Does Unitaid provide the actual MNH products? The project focuses on removing barriers to access, such as procurement, policy, and distribution systems, rather than acting as a long-term drug procurement agency. 4. What is the duration of the grant? The proposed project must be designed for a four-year implementation period. 5. Which countries are prioritized? Countries with high maternal and newborn mortality rates, diverse supply chain challenges, and strong government interest are prioritized. 6. What is the “Supply Chain Leaders Forum”? It is a structured platform mentioned in the call that acts as a mechanism for project countries to share best practices and jointly measure the impact of their interventions. 7. Is community engagement mandatory? Yes. Proposals must include a clear plan for involving civil society organizations and representatives of women who utilize MNH services. Conclusion The Unitaid project represents a high-stakes effort to move beyond “business as usual” in maternal health. By focusing on systemic enablers and cross-country cooperation, the initiative seeks to build a global blueprint for health product access. Successful proposals will be those that combine technical supply chain expertise with a deep commitment to community advocacy and government partnership.