Deadline extended for anti-smoking advocacy groups to apply for MVR 3M grant program

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has extended the applications deadline for annual grants of up to MVR 3 million for registered civic organizations and groups involved in anti-smoking advocacy.

The deadline, which was set to expire Thursday, has now been extended to September 24.

According to HPA, the applications process is being carried out in two phases. During the first phase, applicants are required to submit the concept note, the organization’s registry and standing order.

Organizations shortlisted during this phase will receive 14 days to submit detailed proposals.

The proposal submitted during the second phase must include budget details, information regarding previous projects, and a no conflict-of-interest statement.

Shortlisted organizations will be notified within seven days of the deadline for submission of concept notes. And the organizations selected for grants will be notified within 60 days of the deadline for submission of detailed proposals.

The MVR 3 million grant program groups financial assistance into three categories. They are:

• Initiatives limited to a single organization or island: MVR 75,000 – MVR 100,000
• National initiatives: MVR 100,000 – MVR 300,000
• Practical works directed at more than one region: MVR 300,000 – MVR 500,000

Applicants must cap the administrative expenses to 20 percent of the total cost in the proposal.

The organizations must be active for at least one year in order to be eligible for the grant. Meanwhile, applicants involved in or linked to tobacco trade are ineligible.

The proposals will be reviewed by a seven-member awarding committee selected by the Health Ministry, composed of officials from the Health Ministry, a member of the Youth Advisory Board, a senior official from the Local Government Authority, an official from the HPA, a board member from the Public Health Fund Committee, and a senior official from the Home Ministry.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration had introduced sweeping changes back in 2024 to crack down on smoking. The changes saw the introduction of a ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, a smoking ban on the post-2007 generation, as well as the doubling of import duty on cigarettes, beedi and heated tobacco products.

However, the import duty hike was later reversed back in July.