GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Preface The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes that all lives have equal value and every person should have the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life. The Global Development Program was established with the goal of increasing opportunity by reducing poverty and hunger and by expanding access to information in the developing world. In that context, the Global Development Program has focused its grantmaking on proposals with the potential for high impact and sustainable solutions that collectively can reach millions of people within specifically identified program strategies and geographies. We appreciate your organization’s interest in submitting a proposal to the foundation. We suggest that you read through this entire document before beginning your proposal. In addition, for more information about the foundation’s grantmaking priorities and processes please refer to the following links: Foundation Grantmaking Priorities Our Approach to Grants Thank you for working with us throughout the proposal process. A designated foundation program officer will work closely with your organization during preparation of your proposal to help you understand the connection between the foundation's relevant program strategy and the proposed project, as well as to respond to any questions you might have over the course of this process. You are encouraged to communicate with the program officer to make sure that your efforts are aligned with the proposal requirements and that you are not expending unnecessary time or energy in this process. Proposal Assessment The Global Development Program reviews the funding opportunities under consideration for alignment with established program strategies, and evaluates them for their potential to contribute to impact and achieve identifiable and sustainable results. We consider the following information when evaluating a proposal. Project Description and Alignment with Foundation Strategy First and foremost, we review the description of the project, the need that the project seeks to address, and how addressing that need contributes to a designated strategy within Global Development’s specific areas of focus: Agricultural Development; Financial Services for the Poor; Global Libraries; Special Initiatives (including Urban Poverty, and Emergency Response); Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; and Policy and Advocacy. Before you draft your proposal, we encourage you to seek clarity from your designated program officer about the Global Development Program strategy that is relevant to your project. Sustainability and Scalability We evaluate whether the project can be scaled and replicated if appropriate, and whether it will create solutions that can be continued after our funding has ended. Intended Results The project must have specific and clearly articulated results, as well as identified key milestones that enable us to assess progress throughout the life of the project. The Results Framework referred to later in these proposal guidelines will enable you to identify key results and milestones that demonstrate progress throughout the project. Rev. 5/12 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Organizational Capacity Both the organization (or department, if applicable) and its leadership must be able to successfully implement the project. We ask that you provide sufficient information to show how the focus and capabilities of your organization will support the proposed work and how the capacity, experience, and expertise of the organization’s leadership are adequate to manage the project successfully. Budget We examine the efficiency and reasonableness of the budget, in the context of the proposed results of the project for which you are requesting funding. You will be provided with a budget template as well as narrative questions regarding your budget to facilitate your preparation and our review. Proposal Review During the course of the proposal development, foundation staff works with you to ensure that your project aligns with the strategic priorities of the Global Development Program. Both internal and external experts conduct programmatic reviews and compliance reviews to ensure that legal, financial, and administrative requirements are met. Program staff submit final proposal documents to appropriate executive team members along with their analysis and recommendation for final review and approval or denial. You may receive requests for additional information throughout this process. Actual funding occurs only after the foundation has approved a grant, and your organization and the foundation sign a grant agreement. Formatting All project proposals submitted to Global Development, except for conference support and emergency relief proposals, must use the application form contained in these guidelines. We ask that proposals be concise and in proportion to the complexity of the project. Please try to contain the proposal narrative, covering sections I - IX of these guidelines, to no more than 20 pages single spaced (with one-inch margins and no smaller than 10-point font) excluding the proposal information page, table of contents, Results Framework, appendices, and templates (plus additional information modules if requested). When you respond to the questions, you may use paragraphs or bullet points—whatever works best for the proposed project. Please use U.S. letter page formatting (8.5x11.0 inches), and include your organization’s name in the footer. Due to tax, legal, and reporting requirements, all grant proposals must be submitted in English. Under limited circumstances, you may include Internet links to selected information; however, we ask that you not assume that reviewers will visit the sites. For this reason, please include all critically necessary information in the body of the proposal itself. Our Commitment to Grantees: Strengthening Partnerships Our grantees and partners are at the core of our mission and work. We are most effective when we are working together with partners to achieve the shared impact we all desire. Achieving results depends on many factors, including the quality of our partnerships. We can achieve greater impact by forging stronger relationships with our most important partners—our grantees. Our Commitment to Grantees 1. Quality interactions—You will be treated with respect and candor. 2. Clear and consistent communications—You will know when and who will make the decision on your grant, and you will be provided clear communications on the foundation’s strategy, grant www.gatesfoundation.org 3 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES process and the amount of time and assistance you could expect to receive from the foundation once your grant is awarded. 3. Feedback—You will have opportunities to provide feedback – and we will use that feedback to make continuous improvements. We welcome your feedback. It is a critical part of our commitment because your ideas, assessment and comments will help to ensure greater success in our mutual goal to improve lives. We receive feedback daily through interactions between our program staff and grantees. We seek feedback through periodic interviews and focus groups. And every two to three years, we ask the Center for Effective Philanthropy to conduct a grantee perception survey. We also make available to grantees several other online means of providing feedback: Send an email to our grantee partner engagement team at granteesurvey@gatesfoundation.org. Share your viewpoint on Twitter via #gateschat. If your feedback regards a specific allegation, and you want the information to be kept confidential from foundation staff, we encourage you to report this information to EthicsPoint . This is a service provided by a third party outside of the foundation that is available for reporting and identification of issues, events and behavior that may be inconsistent with our foundation’s values. Glossary and Terminology We understand that different organizations utilize different terminology to refer to similar concepts. For purposes of this proposal and future communications regarding this project, please rely on the definitions below. Activities The processes or actions taken by the foundation or a grantee to achieve outputs and move toward outcomes. Example: A grantee might conduct a review of successful communication approaches that are focused on prevention of a specific disease or promotion of a new savings product. Baseline An analysis or description of the situation prior to an intervention, against which progress can be assessed or comparisons can be made. Direct Beneficiaries People (or entities) who will receive some or all of the monetary or intellectual proceeds that result most immediately from the grant. Clarification: The foundation sees the benefits that accrue to these entities as a step toward helping other ultimate beneficiaries. Example: In a genetic science crop research grant, the direct beneficiaries of the grant may be the seed companies that will be able to market the improved seeds that result from the scientists’ prior research work. Evaluation An investigation into whether, why, and how results are or are not achieved. Evaluation can help the foundation answer key questions about grants, initiatives, and strategies. Question answered: To what extent did grant X, or institution X, successfully accomplish its strategic goals, and what were the key ingredients for success— or the reasons for failure? Example: The foundation commissioned an evaluation to determine how and www.gatesfoundation.org 4 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES to what extent charter management organizations are more effective at improving student achievement than comparable districts. Geographic Areas Served All countries that benefit or are intended to benefit from this project. This is where the target population is located, not necessarily where the work is occurring. Geographic Location(s) of Work All locations (country, and sub-region or state if known) in which work will be performed for this project, if this project gets funded. This includes locations in which sub-grantees or sub-contractors will work. Impacts Ultimate sustainable changes, sometimes attributable to action. Example: By 2025, twice as many low-income young adults will earn a postsecondary education credential with value in the labor market by age 26. Indicators Quantitative or qualitative variables that specify results for a particular strategy, initiative, or grant. Similar terms: Metrics, measures Clarification: Indicators form the basis of monitoring and evaluation because they tell us how to assess different outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Example: An agriculture grantee might measure the percentage increase in an average crop yield as an indicator of the effectiveness of the improved seeds that it helped develop. Inputs The resources used to implement activities. Clarification: Inputs typically include financial, human, and material/equipment resources, as well as the efforts of foundation staff, partners, and grantees. Example: Inputs may include items such as building materials, technical assistance, staff, and vehicles. Key Milestones A subset of all milestones that may exist in a project workplan, these are the most critical project activities, outputs, and outcomes that are included in the grant agreement. Grantees regularly report on their progress toward achieving the key milestones; these reports are expected for future funding. Measurement The process of collecting and recording observations during an inquiry. Clarification: At the foundation, measurement activities include indicator monitoring, evaluation, and long-term impact tracking. We also use the term “measurement” to refer to a set of principles and practices associated with these activities. Milestones Sequential signs of progress during a project or initiative, usually tied to estimated completion dates. Example: One milestone for a grantee might be to mobilize a certain amount of additional investment from other partners by the end of 2011 to support the grantee's work. Monitoring A process of collecting, analyzing, and using data to ensure compliance and improve performance, comprised of both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Monitoring tells us whether milestones and basic targets are being met, and whether critical activities are proceeding as planned. Similar term: Performance measurement Objectives www.gatesfoundation.org The major components of the project required to achieve results. 5 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Clarification: An objective could be any subdivision of work that makes sense as a logical way to organize the project's key activities, outputs, and outcomes—such as a geographic location or a body of work. Example: One such body of work might be: “Conduct a needs or readiness assessment.” This objective would have a set of associated results (mainly activities and outputs), including conducting site visits, interviewing experts, analyzing data (activities), and writing a report (an output). Outcomes Intermediate observable and measureable changes that may serve as steps toward impact for a population community, country, or other category of beneficiary. Examples: Possible outcomes may include a reduction in the number of new disease cases, an increase in crop yield, and statewide adoption of new best practices in education. Outputs The direct and early results of a grant or intervention’s activities. Outputs refer to the most immediate sets of accomplishments necessary, but not sufficient, to produce outcomes and impacts. Examples: Possible outputs may include the number of people trained, the number of public service announcement radio spots on the topic of proper contraceptive use, and the number of tons of new seed varieties distributed. Results Any of the foundation or grantees’ inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Clarification: “Results” is used as a generic, all-encompassing term that can include all positive or negative changes, as well as the absence of any change at all. When possible, it is best to use more specific terms, such as impacts, outcomes, outputs, activities, and inputs. The results of almost all grants will likely include outputs; some will include outcomes; and few, if any, will in and of themselves include impacts. Example: Possible results may include technical assistance (input), a review of communications approaches (activity), the number of people trained (output); an increase in crop yield (outcome), and by 2025 a doubling in the number of low-income young adults who will earn a postsecondary education credential with value in the labor market by age 26 (impact). Scalability The degree to which a piloted intervention can function, adapt to increased demands, and deliver similar/expected results when applied to a significantly larger context (e.g., with expanded sets of beneficiaries, regions, geographies, policies, and political circumstances). Sustainability The degree to which achieved results, particularly outcomes and impacts, can continue over time, especially after foundation funding ends. Targets Specific values or projections for intended results, to be achieved within particular timeframes. Clarification: Note that it is not necessary to set targets for all intended results. Example: If the indicator is “# of children vaccinated,” then a target might be “10,000 children vaccinated by June 2012.” So a result (in this case, probably an outcome) might be “5,000 children vaccinated” or “100,000 children vaccinated”—depending on what was achieved by June 2012. Ultimate www.gatesfoundation.org People (or entities) whose lives or experiences we expect to change as an eventual result of the grant. 6 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Beneficiaries Clarification: Grant proposals should be able to trace a conceptual link to their intended ultimate beneficiaries, even if the proposed project itself will not work directly with these people (or entities). Example: In a genetic science crop research grant, the ultimate beneficiaries of the grant may be the farmers who will be able to buy and plant the improved seeds that result from scientists’ prior research and seed companies’ sales and distribution efforts. Restrictions on Lobbying Activities The foundation is prohibited from conducting or funding any lobbying or political campaign activities, as these terms are specifically defined under U.S. tax law. Unlike many of our grantees who may engage in limited lobbying, the foundation cannot lobby or fund any lobbying activities carried out by its grantees. We request that you please review the information at the following link, Foundation Funds and Advocacy, to assess whether any of your proposed activities may constitute lobbying as defined by the IRS. If so, you should revise your proposal accordingly prior to submission. Privacy Notice This document is subject to the Gatesfoundation.org Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. www.gatesfoundation.org 7 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Grant Proposal Date Please update the date each time you submit a revised version. Project Title Organization Name Institutional official authorized to submit and accept grants on behalf of the organization: Prefix First Name Surname Suffix Title Address Telephone Fax Email Web Site Project Director/Primary Contact: Prefix First Name Surname Suffix Title Address Telephone Fax Email Web Site U.S. Tax Status (Refer to Tax Status Definitions) Geographic Location(s) of Project Amount Requested from Foundation in Dollars (U.S.) $ Project Duration (months) Organization’s Fiscal Year-End Date Estimated Total Cost of Project in Dollars (U.S.) Organization’s Total Revenue for Most Recent Audited Financial Year in Dollars (U.S.) www.gatesfoundation.org 8 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES I. Charitable Purpose In one sentence, please describe how this project will help the foundation meet its charitable objectives. For example: “To develop improved drought-resistant crop varieties to protect resource-poor farmers” or “To dramatically increase the number of active savings accounts serving low-income families in Latin America.” II. Executive Summary Please include up to a one-page summary of the proposal. This overview is intended to be a high-level summary of the proposal to be used for reference within the foundation, not a substitute for the more specific information requested in other sections of the proposal. III. Project Description Please describe: the project itself and what it will do the specific need being addressed by this project why this project is an effective means through which to address this need the direct and ultimate beneficiaries of the project (identifying gender, where relevant) the geographic areas served what foundation funding for this project will enable your organization to accomplish that it would not be able to accomplish otherwise to the extent known, the key partner organizations, sub-contractors, and sub-grantees that are critical to the project’s successful implementation, including the history and current status of these relationships if applicable, how this project relates to or builds upon previous or ongoing funding you have received from the foundation IV. Alignment with Foundation Strategy Please describe the relevant foundation strategy or strategies with which this project will align, and how they will align. When you formulate your response, please refer to any relevant program strategy information that is publicly available, as well as specific discussions you have had with your foundation program officer. Please discuss the existing relevant research and efforts in this field, with focus on how the proposed project fits in this broader context. V. Sustainability and Scalability How do issues related to equity, self-reliance, sustainability (economic, environmental, social, etc.), and scalability affect the need you are addressing, and how will your project take these into consideration? Does your organization intend to increase the scale of this project after the grant period has ended? If so, how will the project scale be increased, what is in place now to support scalability, and what actions will your organization and project partners take during the project term to facilitate scalability after the grant period has ended? Does your organization intend to have this project continue after the grant period has ended? If so, what actions will your organization and project partners take during the grant period to facilitate sustainability, and how will the project be sustained when the grant period has ended? www.gatesfoundation.org 9 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Please note relevant assumptions and risks associated with sustainability and scale, and state how you plan to account for and/or mitigate them. VI. Implementation, Intended Results, and Results Measurement A. Results Framework Please complete the Results Framework to summarize the project’s intended activities, outputs, outcomes, and key milestones. In completing the Results Framework, please refer to the glossary that is included in these guidelines for clarification of terms. Note: If this project is funded, the Results Framework will become part of your grant agreement with the foundation; the platform for ongoing discussion, planning, and negotiation between you and your designated program officer; and the basis for your reporting on project status throughout the term of the grant. B. Project Plan Please provide us with a brief narrative describing: how an understanding of the ultimate beneficiaries of the project influenced the project design the overall approach you will use to accomplish the intended results, including the project design and major activities, making clear your role and the roles of key partners the vision of success for, and the most important result of, this project C. Analysis Please describe why you are confident that: the pace of activities is reasonable, the project will be implemented, and the intended results will be achieved within the identified timeframes successful completion of the activities will lead to the identified outputs and, where applicable, outcomes the key milestones are reasonable measurement tools for marking progress the project design leaves room for innovation, adaptation, and unanticipated outcomes that may arise based on experience and learning D. Assumptions and Risks Concerning Implementation and Results Please discuss any significant assumptions and risks to successful achievement of the stated results, any steps you have taken or will take to mitigate those risks, and, to the extent the risks still exist, why you are confident that you can achieve the intended results regardless of the risks. E. Measurement www.gatesfoundation.org How will your organization track, measure, and monitor progress toward meeting the grant activities, outputs, outcomes, and key milestones during and at the end of the grant period? What is your organization’s plan for assessing, documenting, and using lessons learned about the project? 10 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES VII. Organizational Capacity A. Applicant B. Please describe your organization’s strengths and its capacity to implement, manage, and monitor progress of this grant. In responding to this question, please include the following information in your answer: o your organization’s mission, goals, and current activities related to the proposed project o how this project furthers the specific mission and goals of your organization o a description of your organization’s leadership, management, project team, and operational structure o any similar types of projects that your organization has undertaken in the past, including the identified results of the projects and the projects’ successes in achieving those results o any unique strengths or activities of your organization that make it particularly well suited to implementing this project Please describe any steps that your organization would need to take to increase its capacity in order to successfully implement this project, the plan for doing so, and the organization’s plan for maintaining that capacity if necessary for sustainability of the project after foundation funding for this project is complete. Please describe any prior grants that your organization has received from our foundation that are relevant to this proposal, and the results of those grants. Please describe specifically how your organization will administer and manage funds for this project, either directly or through a third party. Partners and Sub-Grantees Please describe: why you have chosen any key partner organizations, sub-contractors, and sub-grantees, and what has made you comfortable with their capacity for successful implementation of this grant the history and current status of these relationships C. Organizational Assumptions and Risks Please discuss any significant organizational assumptions and risks to successful implementation of this project, what steps you have taken or will take to mitigate those risks, and to the extent that the risks still exist, why you are confident about proceeding regardless of the risks. VIII. Budget Template and Narrative The budget component of the grant proposal consists of a budget template and the corresponding budget narrative. Together, the template and narrative provide a clear picture of the financial resources you are requesting to support the project. The template focuses on articulating what the costs are to implement the project successfully, and the narrative should focus on why those costs are reasonable and appropriate for the project. The Budget Template is contained in a separate Excel file to submit with your proposal. Instructions for completing the budget template are included in the template. Please include total project costs in both the template and narrative, regardless of funding source. The template will automatically create a separate Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-only budget based on the data that you provide. The budget narrative questions are listed below; please answer them in the body of the proposal itself. We have divided the narrative questions into general questions and questions targeted to specific budget www.gatesfoundation.org 11 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES components. Responses to both sets of questions give us a clear understanding of the financial resources you are requesting to support the project, as well as your level of confidence that the resources being requested will support the results you have identified. General Questions What are the general methodologies you used to develop your cost estimates? How is this proposed budget realistic and reasonable in relation to the specific grant results you have identified? What efforts will you take to ensure that you deploy funds in an optimal manner? What are the prospects for cash or in-kind financial support from other sources that directly support project activities? What are the significant financial risks and other factors that could materially affect your organization’s ability to operate within the proposed budget? How will your organization manage or mitigate those risks and factors? Please be sure to address potential consequences of delayed spending. Specific Questions A. Personnel With regard to full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (meaning a single person or combination of people who work the equivalent of one full-time person) or group of FTEs that will be working on the project, please describe: the roles and responsibilities of each FTE or group of FTEs on the project the rationale for the number of requested FTEs in that role the methodology for estimating the base salary for that role (for example, describe whether you are using the actual salary of current employees or an estimate based on current employees with similar job descriptions; you do not need to include the actual salary numbers in the narrative) and any key assumptions that will influence that salary (for example, the person will be a local hire in the developing world versus someone who is not) the set of benefits and calculations used to determine the percentage of salary included for benefits for each FTE or group of FTEs, including all non-wage compensation the assumptions used for any annual salary increases Note: Due to federal tax law, the foundation cannot support salaries for U.S. government officials. If any U.S. government officials will be part of the project, please clarify that they will be supported by other sources of funding. B. Travel Please describe: the methodology used to calculate the total cost estimates for each trip the assumptions used to determine the appropriate number of trips the rationale for how those trips will support achievement of the results of the project C. Sub-Grants to Other Organizations To the extent that these points have not been discussed in the proposal already, please describe: the work to be conducted by the sub-grants and indicate the names of sub-grantees (if known) your previous experience working with any known sub-grantees the assumptions used to estimate the cost of each line item (for example, a sub-grant budget has been submitted to you or you have estimated an award size based on your experience with similar work) www.gatesfoundation.org 12 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Please describe your process for conducting due diligence on potential sub-grantees from a financial perspective. If any particular sub-grantee represents a significant component of the project, please work with your designated program officer to determine whether the subgrantee should submit a separate budget. D. Capital Equipment Please provide information about the project’s capital equipment expenditures, including: the equipment to be purchased the business purpose of the equipment as it relates to the project the cost and depreciation assumptions used Notes: Capital equipment includes any item purchased for the project with a unit cost greater than $5,000 (U.S.) per item and a useful life greater than one year, regardless of whether you intend to capitalize the expense under your own accounting policy or not. This could include vehicles, laboratory equipment, or certain software packages. Items that cannot be considered dedicated project equipment (e.g., vehicles used for some fraction of the time) should be justified in relation to the proposed activity. For equipment to be shipped to developing countries, applicants should request waiver of import fees where possible. As needed, funds should be requested to operate, insure, and maintain critical pieces of equipment as part of the Other Direct Costs of the project. Use of any equipment (whether capital equipment or not) that is purchased with grant funds is limited to charitable purposes for the depreciable life of the equipment. This includes computers, printers, faxes, telephones, vehicles, and all other equipment that is to be purchased for use in the project. For many non-U.S. entities, U.S. tax law considerations may affect whether the foundation will permit purchase of equipment with a depreciable life that is greater than the grant period being requested. In such cases, leasing is preferable. Please be certain to discuss this with your program officer when you are developing a budget plan. E. Consultants With regard to your anticipated use of consultants or set of consulting contracts, please describe: the work to be performed in support of the overall project the current status of the contract (whether the contract is confirmed or projected) the cost assumptions used (including estimates of the number of days to be worked and the daily rate) the general terms of the contract, such as whether the payment(s) is based on an agreed total amount, or an agreed per diem rate including travel and other related expenses Note: This category also includes any fees to be paid to outside attorneys, accountants, or auditors who are directly and exclusively related to the project. F. Other Direct Costs For other direct costs, please describe: the item being requested the business purpose of the item as it relates to the project the cost assumptions used to generate the cost estimate Note: Facility-related costs are typically covered by indirect costs and are not included within the direct cost detail. However, in rare cases, facility-related expenses can be included as a www.gatesfoundation.org 13 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES direct cost when a grantee requires additional building expenses in order to execute the grant (for example starting up an organization or creating a new regional office). G. Funding For additional cash or in-kind funding sources other than the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, please describe: the proposed source of funding (for example, a grant from another organization, or earned revenue generated by the project or elsewhere in the applicant organization) the status of the funding source (for example, if a proposal has already been submitted or a grant has already been awarded, or whether the earned revenue stream is new to the organization or is already proven) the assumptions used to generate any estimates the strategies and timeline for securing any necessary additional funding that is listed as unsecured in the budget template Note: For earned revenues, your program officer may request a business plan or similar document. H. Currency and Inflation Assumptions I. If project funds will be spent in currencies other than U.S. dollars (USD), please list the exchange rate and the assumptions used to develop the exchange rate for all currencies other than the USD. If an inflation estimate is used, please describe your assumptions in developing the estimated inflation rate. Indirect Cost Allowances Please review the foundation’s Indirect Cost Policy and provide information about your organization’s actual indirect cost rate, including: a summary of how it is calculated what cost factors it includes whether the rate has been audited by an external party IX. Additional Benefits and Risks To the extent that the following points have not yet been addressed in this proposal, please address them in this section. If there are any significant additional benefits from this project, please describe them. What are the significant risks and challenges to the success of this project, including to your organization’s ability to achieve the intended grant results within the planned timeframe or to operate within the proposed budget? For each factor described, please explain how it might be overcome or addressed. For each factor not wholly overcome or addressed, please indicate with specificity why you are confident in achieving the identified grant results within budget in a timely manner. X. General Questions Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. If you answer “yes”, you may be required to follow a link to an additional module(s) that must be submitted along with your proposal. Failure to complete and submit the appropriate module(s) may delay the review of your proposal. www.gatesfoundation.org 14 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES Research Questions Will this project involve research using human subjects and/or vertebrate animals? Will the project involve the use of recombinant DNA or genetically modified organisms (including genetically modified plants)? Will the project involve the use of biohazards? Yes No Yes No Yes No Will the project involve the use of pathogens or toxins identified as select agents by U.S. law? Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes No ATTENTION: if you answered “yes” to any of the above Research Questions, you must follow this link: Clinical Studies and Regulated Research Assurances Module to provide additional information. The completed module must be submitted with your proposal. Global Access and Intellectual Property Questions Will the project involve the creation of a new technology, software, database, formulation, product, or medical procedure, or the further development of any existing technology, formulation, product, or medical procedure? Will the project involve the use of technology, a product, material, or data owned or to be provided by a third party? Will the project involve the creation of drawings, or written material (such as an analysis, a curriculum, guidelines, policy recommendations) other than internal working documents, reports to the foundation, or publications? ATTENTION: if you answered “yes” to any of the above Global Access and Intellectual Property Questions, you must follow these links: Global Access Technology and Information Management Module AND Global Access Planning for Technology Uptake Module to provide additional information. The completed modules must be submitted with your proposal. Advocacy Questions Could any potential controversies result from the content, geographic focus, or expected outcomes of the proposed project? Will the project require meetings with government officials or intergovernmental organization staff? General Due Diligence Questions Is your organization a for-profit entity? Was your organization created less than three years ago? Are your organization’s liabilities greater than its assets? ATTENTION: if you answered “yes” to the above question, please provide your organization’s most recent unaudited interim financial statement. Are your organization’s unrestricted assets insufficient to cover more than 6 months of operating expenditures? ATTENTION: if you answered “yes” to the above question, please provide your organization’s budget for the current year. Has your organization ever received an unfavorable audit? ATTENTION: if you answered “yes” to the above question, please provide the results www.gatesfoundation.org 15 of 16 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES of the unfavorable audit (including the Management Letter), internal audit plans, any corrective actions taken thus far, and planned corrective actions for the future. Will the project involve activities being conducted in countries where U.S. embargoes (for example, Cuba, North Sudan, Iran) or significant economic restrictions (for example, North Korea, Myanmar, Syria) apply? www.gatesfoundation.org Yes No 16 of 16 © 2010 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries.