As late-stage clinical trials advance toward potential approvals by 2029, the Treatment Action Group and Wellcome have launched the Architects of Trust program. The initiative awards grants of up to US$45,000 to civil society groups across 14 high-burden regions to build community readiness and demand for forthcoming tuberculosis vaccines.
Architects of Trust Grant Program and Core Objectives
The Treatment Action Group has opened an international call for expressions of interest from civil society and community-based organizations operating within fourteen high-tuberculosis-burden countries and regions according to the official program announcement. Funded by Wellcome, the Architects of Trust initiative aims to establish grassroots infrastructure and advocacy platforms before the expected arrival of novel immunizations as detailed by funding opportunity summaries.
Selected organizations will receive financial support of up to US$45,000 per organization spanning a 12-month operational window. In addition to direct grants, participating teams will secure structured mentorship, technical assistance, and advocacy training through a collaboration between the Treatment Action Group and the TB Vaccine Advocacy Roadmap.
Eligible Regions and Deadlines for Submissions
The application process opened on 19 October 2026, featuring an introductory webinar and office hours scheduled for 28 October pursuant to the administrative timeline. First-stage submissions close on Wednesday, November 4th, 2026, at 23:59 Pacific Time, with late proposals excluded from review as established by the guidelines.
Each participating group must appoint a dedicated project lead to manage deliverables and act as the designated architect of trust within their respective community.
- Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria
- Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia
- Regional networks operating across Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Phased Selection Timeline Through 2027
The multi-stage selection process moves from initial expressions of interest to full project deployment during early 2027 based on administrative milestones. Successful candidates from the first round will receive notification on 4 December 2026, alongside instructions for drafting second-stage workplans and budgets managed by the selection committee.
| Date | Milestone Event |
|---|---|
| 19 October 2026 | Call for expressions of interest opens |
| 4 November 2026 | First-stage submission deadline at 23:59 PT |
| 4 December 2026 | Applicants notified of outcomes; second stage shared |
| 11 January 2027 | Second-stage deadline for proposals and budgets |
| 1 March 2027 | Selected projects formally launch |
| 12–16 April 2027 | Eighth Global TB Vaccine Forum in Zaragoza, Spain |
Bridging Community Readiness and Clinical Development
While older prevention tools like the BCG vaccine target infants, novel candidates advancing through late-stage trials focus on protecting adolescents and adults according to foundational background reports. Civil society partnerships help establish trusted channels for public engagement, countering potential vaccine hesitancy and ensuring equitable national preparedness as noted by program organizers.
Preliminary modelling from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimates that new vaccines protecting adolescents and adults could help save 7.3 million lives, generate up to US$ 135 billion in economic benefits, and support efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. One prominent candidate, the M72/AS01E vaccine, recently impressed observers in preliminary efficacy trials. However, implementing these interventions across African nations presents unique logistical challenges due to limited or absent established immunisation delivery platforms for older age groups, as noted by Dr. Benjamin Kagina, Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and Principal Investigator of the TIMBER research team. Kagina emphasizes that timely, evidence-informed recommendations from National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups will be vital for successful rollout. Experts such as Willem Hanekom of the Africa Health Research Institute and Gavin Churchyard of the Aurum Institute stress that community engagement and future innovations in tuberculosis prevention are critical, as discussed during recent global readiness webinars hosted by the TB Vaccine Accelerator Working Group on Country Readiness, Advocacy and Community Partnership.
As several TB vaccines approach late-stage clinical trials and potential approval by 2029.
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