Starting 1st December 2010, TB REACH is accepting proposals for the second wave of funding for projects that promote early and increased case detection of tuberculosis (TB) cases and ensure their timely treatment, while maintaining high cure rates within National TB Programmes.

TB REACH encourages the development and application of innovative, ground-breaking and efficient approaches, interventions, and activities that result in increased TB case detection, reduced transmission and prevention of the emergence of drug-resistant forms of TB. As suggested by its name, TB REACH focuses on reaching vulnerable people, people from poverty areas and/or people who have limited or no access to TB services.

Eligibility criteria, the application form, instructions for applicants, examples of suitable interventions and technical guidance, are available on the TB REACH web site – Wave 2 http://www.stoptb.org/global/awards/tbreach/.

The deadline for submitting proposals for Wave 2 is 28 February 2011.

Eligible applications will be reviewed by the Proposal Review Committee — an independent group of experts — during March 2011. All proposals recommended for funding will be presented for approval to the Stop TB Coordinating Board Meeting at its next meeting.

The final results of the review is likely to be made available to all applicants by May 2011.

TB REACH was launched officially on 25 January 2010. Thirty projects in 19 eligible countries, which aim to detect and treat additional 40 000 new smear- positive TB cases, received funding under Wave 1.

The TB REACH initiative receives support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

We encourage all organizations engaged in TB care to develop innovative approaches to TB detection and care – and to apply for funding to TB REACH Wave 2.

If you need further information, do not hesitate to contact the TB REACH Secretariat at tbreach@who.int