Thank you for your post. We agree that this issue is is quite confusing as the cross-cutting HSS was not a separate component in Round 8 (different to Round 5).

As we explained in our initial response, although the cross-cutting HSS (as a distinct part of the Section 4B of the proposal) can be separately recommended for funding, there is no separate funding recommendation for this cross-cutting HSS part. This is because each proposal is classified in a category as such and not each part of this proposal. In Round 8, the cross-cutting HSS was not a separate component, but constituted a part of HIV, Tuberculosis or Malaria proposal.

In regard to the funding recommendations, it is similar to Rolling Continuation Channel (RCC) process where TRP is entitled to recommend for the approval of a proposal conditional upon the removal of a limited set of elements from the proposal. In this case as well, the whole proposal will be classified in a category (1 or 2), but a part of the proposals will not be approved for funding and there will not be a separate funding category for this part.

Hope this additional explanation and comparison is helpful, however, please do not hesitate to contact us again with additional questions.

My apologies for not being quicker to understand this process, but I am not reconciling very well what seem to me conflicting explanations in your email. You have explained that:

• Cross-cutting HSS is not a separate component [we have understood this part], and therefore there is no separate funding recommendation category for this part of the proposal [from that of the disease to which it is attached];

                        AND

• The TRP can recommend that only the disease section may be funded;  or  only the cross-cutting HSS section;  or both.  

(This second bullet point is my understanding, to date, of how it works.)

Although cross-cutting Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) interventions (Section 4.B) are a distinct part of the proposal, it is not a separate component and therefore there is no separate funding recommendation category for this part of the proposal. 

However, in line with the TRP Terms of Reference (article 32) available at: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/files/about/technical/TRP_TOR.pdf, reviewing a disease component which contains a cross-cutting HSS section, the TRP may recommend for funding either: 

a)     The entire disease component, including the cross-cutting HSS section;

b)     The disease component excluding the cross-cutting HSS section; or

c)     Only the cross-cutting HSS section if the interventions in that section materially contribute to overcoming health systems constraints to improve HIV, tuberculosis and malaria outcomes.

Hope this information is useful!