Please also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions if further clarification is needed.

Instructions
Please follow these instructions carefully when submitting a letter of inquiry (LOI) to The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Note: Due to tax, legal and reporting issues, we require that all letters of inquiry be submitted in English.

Step 1: Download and Review the LOI Instructions

The LOI instructions explain the content behind the questions in the LOI Application Form. It includes a description of how we would like you to describe your proposed project; general information regarding our perspective on Global Access, data sharing and publication; and a link to our indirect cost policy.

• LOI Instructions

Step 2: Download and Complete the LOI Application Form

The LOI Application includes questions regarding the purpose, framework, approach, assumptions, and budget of your project.

• LOI Application

Step 3: Submit your LOI Online

You must submit your completed LOI Application Form in Unison, the foundation's grant application system. Please do not mail a duplicate hard copy after submitting your LOI online or send any additional attachments or information (videos, books, program materials, etc.).

Instructions to Access Unison:

• To submit an application, click the Apply Now link to the right
• The first time you visit Unison you will need to create an account
  • If you have already created an account for our Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) portal (gce.gatesfoundation.org) or the Clinical Studies Tracker (portal.gatesfoundation.org), you can log into Unison with the same email address and password you used on those sites. If you have forgotten your password, go to the above mentioned sites and click "forgot password" and an email with your password will be sent to you
• After you enter your information, a temporary password will be emailed to the email account you provided
• Return to Unison to personalize your password and complete your account profile
• After you complete your account profile, you may access the grant application by returning to the Unison Home page and click "Check for Open RFPs", please select the "Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis" opportunity
• You can save the application and return to it later through Unison by logging in any time before the submission deadline with your email address and password. Returning users please visit https://unison.gatesfoundation.org/Pages/Default.aspx. Once you have logged into the RFP opportunity, the application will appear in "My Open LOIs and Grant Applications"
• We recommend that you check the box next to "Allow the foundation to view my application while I work on it" on the Get Started page of your application so we can help you through the process if you need assistance

Review Process

Once you've submitted your LOI, you will receive a confirmation that we have received it. Your LOI will be evaluated, and those applicants who are eligible and have projects of further interest to the foundation will be contacted directly and invited to submit a full proposal. Note that:

• Due to expected high volumes, we will not provide individual critiques or feedback on why LOIs were not selected;
• We will use external reviewers for recommendations, but final decisions are made by the foundation

Tips for Grant Seekers
Following are some tips for grant seekers wishing to submit letters of inquiry:

• You must read the entire Rules and Guidelines;
• You must review the LOI instructions as they are intended to help guide the applicant in crafting a complete LOI response