Treatment Action Group (TAG) is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from civil society and community-based organizations (CSOs) in communities where new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines are likely to be introduced. Selected organizations will carry out targeted advocacy, policy engagement, and demand creation activities in support of new TB vaccines. The EOI is part of Architects of Trust, a community-driven demand creation program for new TB vaccines led by TAG and funded by Wellcome.
Grants of up to US$45,000 will be awarded to 8 CSO partners across 14 high-TB-burden countries and regions. Each grant funds 12 months of work, complemented by advocacy training, technical assistance, and mentorship from TAG and the TB Vaccine Advocacy Roadmap (TB Vax ARM), a global coalition of civil society actors leading TB vaccine advocacy.
We are seeking organizations in Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia, as well as regional networks working across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Applicants should be well integrated into their national, subnational, or regional stakeholder networks and have some experience engaging communities and policymakers on TB or immunization interventions. Each applicant must designate a project lead who will manage grant activities and deliverables and serve as the “architect of trust” in their community.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 4th, 2026, at 23:59 Pacific Time. Applications must be submitted through the online form. Only applications received by the deadline will be considered.
Background
As of 2026, several new TB vaccines are advancing through late-stage clinical trials, with potential regulatory approval and policy recommendation as soon as 2029. This program builds on findings from a recent TAG report, What Could Go Right? Vital Partnerships with Communities and Civil Society for New Tuberculosis Vaccines, which found that communities are poised to play an indispensable role in new TB vaccine planning and introduction but require immediate investment to be optimally activated. Past introductions show that civil society partners build the “infrastructures of trust” that generate demand, yet the pathways for community-driven demand creation remain undefined and underfunded.
Architects of Trust aims to strengthen community readiness for new TB vaccines through well-timed, evidence-based community engagement ahead of potential introduction. Selected partners will play a foundational role in:
- Raising awareness and sensitizing communities
- Facilitating dialogue and identifying community questions and concerns
- Engaging policymakers to support equitable national preparedness for new TB vaccines
Selected organizations will work closely with TAG, the TB Vax ARM, and other national-level civil society organizations. They will receive ongoing mentorship, training, technical assistance, and help coordinating activities with partners, and each will be matched with an advocacy mentor from the TB Vax ARM.
Key Dates
- October 19th, 2026: EOI call opens
- October 28th, 2026: Introductory webinar and office hours on the EOI process
- November 4th, 2026: Deadline to submit EOI
- December 4th, 2026: All organizations notified of EOI outcomes; second-stage process shared with advancing organizations
- January 11th, 2027: Second-stage submission deadline (proposal narrative and budget)
- January 27th, 2027: Selected organizations notified
- February 2027: Workplans finalized and Memorandum of Understanding signed with TAG
- March 1st, 2027: Projects begin
- April 12th–16th, 2027: 8th Global TB Vaccine Forum and Architects of Trust strategy workshop, Zaragoza, Spain
Eligibility Requirements
- Organizational experience in TB, immunization, or other health advocacy
- Experience with community engagement or policy advocacy at the national or regional level
- A dedicated project lead to serve as the architect of trust in their community for the duration of the project and any possible extensions
- Membership or affiliation with other community and civil society organizations and/or networks working at the subnational, national, or regional level
- Ability of the project lead to attend in person the 8th Global TB Vaccine Forum and Architects of Trust strategy workshop in Zaragoza, Spain, April 12–16, 2027
- Organizational policies, or a commitment to implement them, on Bullying, Harassment, Abuse, and Harm; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Legal Compliance, Research Practice and Governance, in line with funder requirements
Recipients must be civil society or community-based organizations operating at the national, subnational, or regional level, and based in one of the eligible countries or regions listed above.
How to Apply
Stage 1: Expression of Interest. Complete the online form by 23:59 PT on November 4th, 2026. Your response should include a brief sketch and description of potential activities that reflect the national or regional context in which you work and focus on raising awareness, sensitizing communities, and engaging policymakers around TB vaccines.
Stage 2: Full proposal (selected applicants only). Organizations advancing from the first round will be invited to develop a proposal with a 12-month workplan, proposed milestones, and a budget. Information will be sent directly to selected candidates on December 4th, 2026. Selected organizations will then refine their workplans in collaboration with the selection committee to inform funding milestones.
A note on AI use: AI tools may reasonably be used to edit and revise final drafts before submission, but using AI to write or draft application materials is strongly discouraged.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of representatives from TAG, the TB Vax ARM, and leading community advisory boards, including the Global TB Community Advisory Board (TB CAB). TB Vax ARM core group members and community advisory board members in eligible countries will not serve as selectors. Candidates advancing to the second stage will prepare a full workplan and budget, which the committee will also review.