Investment FAQs

Funding Scope

Q1Are there specific prioritized diseases within the GHIT Fund’s funding scope?

A1Since its inception, the GHIT Fund has focused its investments on three core disease areas: malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Diseases with pandemic potential/public health emergency have since been added to this scope.
While we do not prioritize any one disease area over another, please refer to the project scope table in the Product Development Platform RFP.

Q2Does the GHIT Fund award projects for medical devices?

A2No. Interventions within the scope of the GHIT Fund are as follows: drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics. Although the GHIT Fund currently does not award projects for medical devices, research and development that applies existing medical devices to diseases targeted by the GHIT Fund may be eligible for investment. Please send inquiries to the GHIT Fund for more details.

Q3I am an individual seeking financial support. Am I eligible to apply?

A3No. The GHIT Fund does not provide support to individuals or single organizations that are not part of an eligible R&D partnership. To apply for our funding, your organization must be part of an appropriate partnership.

Q4I am raising funds for the operational budget of a non-profit organization. Am I eligible for a grant?

A4No. Fundraising for operational costs of organizations is not eligible for investment.

Q5Does the GHIT Fund award scholarships?

A5No. The GHIT Fund does not award scholarships.

Partnership

Q6What are the expected partner responsibilities?

A6Partner roles and responsibilities as they relate to project activities should be defined by applicants and included in proposals. Please refer to each RFP for details.

Q7Do you allow multiple applications from the same partnership for an RFP?

A7Yes, interested partnerships may apply for multiple grants, provided they address the RFP scope. You may also apply to different platforms simultaneously.

Q8Does the GHIT Fund require contractual agreements between collaboration partners?

A8Yes. Prior to receiving funds for an investment award, the GHIT Fund requires collaboration partners to enter into a contractual relationship. Signed contractual agreements are required not at the time of proposal submission but after the investment decision is made.

Q9We are not sure whether our organization is considered Japanese or non-Japanese.

A9Whether an organization is considered Japanese or non-Japanese depends on the location of its headquarters.
e.g., Example Corp. is headquartered in Japan and has a subsidiary in the United States, Example Corp. U.S. Even if only Example Corp. U.S. participates in the project, it will be considered a Japanese organization.

Q10Our organization has several group companies. How can we count them in a partnership?

A10Group companies are considered a single organization.
e.g., If Example Corp. has a subsidiary, Example Corp. Technologies, and employees from both companies participate in the project, register one of the companies as the representative.

Q11Does the Designated Development Partner (DDP) need to be a Japanese organization, or can a non-Japanese organization serve as the DDP?

A11The DDP can be either a Japanese or a non-Japanese organization.

Budget

Q12What is the maximum budget?

A12It depends on each platform. The Target Research Platform has a budget limit per award. For other platforms (Screening, Hit-to-Lead, and Product Development), there is no specified maximum amount. The budget should appropriately reflect the funds needed for project activities. Please refer to each RFP for details.

Q13Can proposals for a clinical trial request a full project budget?

A13For drug/vaccine projects that cover Phase 2b and beyond, the investment amount from the GHIT Fund shall be less than 50% of the total project budget during the funding period. Please refer to the latest RFP of Product Development Platform for details.

Q14What is the GHIT Fund’s policy on indirect costs (e.g., overhead)?

A14The GHIT Fund will support indirect costs up to 14% of the total direct budget of an investment. For platforms with a budget limit, the total project budget (including direct and indirect costs) should not exceed the budget limit.

Q15Do funds from the GHIT Fund cover capital equipment?

A15The GHIT Fund does not provide funding for capital equipment and/or capital costs.

Q16In what currency will support from the GHIT Fund be provided?

A16Regardless of the nationality or location of partners, grants by the GHIT Fund will be provided in Japanese yen. Budgets must also be submitted in Japanese yen.

Q17Does the GHIT Fund require a particular currency conversion index?

A17No. Currency conversion management is the responsibility of the designated development partner.

Q18Regarding the co-funding requirement, can in-kind contributions be considered co-funding?

A18Yes, in-kind contributions can be included as co-funding.

Application

Q19What is the GHIT Fund’s investment process?

A19Information regarding the investment process for each platform can be found in the Funding Opportunities section of the GHIT Fund website.

Q20What are the key deadlines in the application process?

A20Deadlines in the application process vary for each Request for Proposal (RFP). Please refer to “ RFP Schedule ” or each program page on “ Funding Opportunities ” of the GHIT website for active RFPs and their deadlines.

Q21Does the GHIT Fund only accept proposals in English?

A21Only proposals in English are accepted. All eligible proposals will go through evaluation by External Reviewers as well as the Selection Committee, both of which consist of global experts. Evaluations and discussions regarding selection of proposals will be conducted solely in English; therefore, all applicants are asked to submit documents in English in order to avoid possible language-related confusion or miscommunication.

Q22Where do I find the forms to submit?

A22The RFP and Intent to Apply form are posted on each platform page under “Funding Opportunities”. Full proposal forms will be shared from the GHIT Fund only to eligible applicants who submitted an Intent to Apply form by the specified deadline.

Q23How do I submit an Intent to Apply form?

A23Please complete an Intent to Apply form posted on each platform page on “ Funding Opportunities ”, and submit it via online submission systems. Details on how to submit the application can be found on the RFP document.

Q24I have submitted the Intent to Apply form. When will I hear back from the GHIT Fund?

A24The GHIT Fund Management Team notifies applicants of the eligibility assessment results shortly after the Intent to Apply submission due date.

Q25How do I submit my full proposal?

A25Eligible applicants who submitted an Intent to Apply form will receive full proposal templates. The GHIT Fund uses online submission systems to receive applications. Details on how to submit the application can be found on the RFP document.

Q26Is there any limit to the proposal pages? Are the forms for budget and timeline (Gantt chart) included in the page limit?

A26Page limit is included in the instruction section of the proposal form. The number of pages for the budget and timeline (Gantt chart) forms will be counted in.

Q27In what format should I submit documents? (e.g., PDF? Word?)

A27Please submit the documents in the format provided in the original forms.

Q28I would like to sign a document that is required in Word format. Am I allowed to convert it to PDF and sign it?

A28Yes. However, please ensure that you also submit the Word version along with the signed PDF.

Q29I have materials I want to submit along with my application. How do I send them?

A29We are not able to accept actual samples, prototypes, or other supplementary materials. These materials will not be returned to applicants. Please refer to each RFP for details.

Evaluation

Q30How will the eligibility of application be assessed?

A30Proposals will initially be examined to determine whether:
・The partnership meets GHIT Fund eligibility criteria;
・Project objectives are aligned with the RFP-specified scope;
・The proposal is complete and addresses all required content; and
・The provided information is consistent across all forms (e.g., project timeline, budget, milestones, and activities)

The GHIT Fund Management Team may ask clarifying questions or request additional information, as needed, to qualify proposals for evaluation.

Q31What are the criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals?

A31The detailed review criteria are not disclosed.
However, all proposals passing the preliminary examination will be evaluated and prioritized based on the following focuses:
■ Scientific and technical merit (e.g., sound approach and methodology, level of innovation, overall quality and comprehensiveness)
■ Impact to be created (e.g., how it will address a global health priority)
■ Partnership (e.g., collaboration capabilities and expertise)
■ Project management (e.g., project history and performance, risk management, budget)

Q32Can applicants contact GHIT Fund Selection Committee members?

A32No. The GHIT Fund restricts communications between current and potential Product Development Partners and Selection Committee members and asks them to refrain from interacting directly regarding queries, concerns, and requests related to GHIT funding. The GHIT Fund Management Team will coordinate all communications among parties. This ensures and enhances organizational transparency and fairness in the decision-making process.

Q33How long is the application process likely to take?

A33It takes approximately seven months from the Intent to Apply submission due date to the notification of the review result.

Q34Will the partnership be notified of the application progress by GHIT Fund staff?

A34The GHIT Fund Management Team will notify applicants after the following steps in the application process: Intent to Apply eligibility check, proposal eligibility check, and notification of the review result.

Q35How will I know if my proposal is approved for funding?

A35At the completion of the proposal evaluation process, the GHIT Fund will inform each applicant of their proposal’s review result. For the proposals approved for funding, an award notification will be sent to the applicants.

Q36Can I resubmit a proposal after a non-award decision? If so, can I make changes to the rejected proposal?

A36Proposals that are not awarded funding may be resubmitted in future funding rounds. At that time, it is recommended that changes be made to the proposal to reflect the feedback received last time.

After Award

Q37To which organization will the investment funds be paid after the investment in the project is approved?

A37The application must identify all organizations participating in the partnership and designate a Designated Development Partner (DDP) from the partnership, which will be the recipient of the grant and will be responsible for the project’s outcomes. The representative of the DDP will serve as the point of contact and communicate with the GHIT Fund. Please refer to each RFP for details.

Q38When will awarded investment funds be paid?

A38In principle, funds are paid in two installments. The first payment is made after the Investment Agreement is signed, and subsequent payments are made after the progress report is reviewed and approved. Please note that payment details depend on the outcome of the due diligence conducted on each organization.

Q39What are the investment reporting processes?

A39The GHIT Fund requires the Designated Development Partner (DDP) to submit semi-annual progress reports for the project and the budget. Progress reports are intended to track progress toward GHIT-monitored milestones.

Q40Does the GHIT Fund have an annual progress report form?

A40Yes, the GHIT Fund will send you the form after the investment decision has been made. The GHIT Fund uses a web-based reporting system. Details regarding the website will be provided to development partners who are awarded funding.

Q41What happens if my awarded project fails to meet its milestones?

A41The GHIT Fund will evaluate delayed progress on a case-by-case basis. Milestone target dates may be re-set after discussion with the GHIT Fund. In the event of major delays or deviations to the project scope, the Selection Committee may be called on to review project progress.
Further, the GHIT Fund has the right to terminate the grant agreement if the partnership fails to fulfill its contractually agreed-upon obligations.
In the event an investment is terminated, the GHIT Fund reserves the right to cancel future fund payments and to reclaim paid funds. In lieu of termination, the GHIT Fund may choose to renegotiate the terms of the existing investment agreement.

Q42What is the process for discontinuing a project with the GHIT Fund?

A42In cases where the GHIT Fund must consider discontinuing a specific investment, the GHIT Fund Management Team will take the following steps:
- If there is consensus between the Designated Development Partner (DDP) and the GHIT Fund, the project will be discontinued upon obtaining the GHIT Fund CEO's approval; the decision will then be reported to the Board at the subsequent Board meeting.
- If there is no consensus between the DDP and the GHIT Fund, the Selection Committee (SC) will be consulted to determine whether or not to discontinue the project. If it is decided that the project be discontinued, the decision will be reported to the Board. The GHIT Fund will then notify the applicant of the decision of discontinuation.

Q43How does the GHIT Fund manage intellectual property issues?

A43The GHIT Fund does not claim ownership of any intellectual property arising from the awarded projects. However, Collaboration Partners are required to follow the GHIT Fund’s Access Policy.

Q44How will deliverables (products, IP, etc.) from each program be handled?

A44Please refer to the Data and Product Access Policies section of the GHIT Fund website ( Access Policy ) for information on the handling of deliverables from each program.

Others

Q45Who should I contact if I have a question?

A45Please use the inquiry form to Contact Us. .