International Federation Of Gynecology And Obstetrics

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £3,628,132 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £5,217,724 (2024)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: US$2,000 - £40,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: Global, with priority for low and middle-income countries (LMICs)
• Eligible Applicants: FIGO member societies and regional federations only

Contact Details

Website: www.figo.org

Email: figo@figo.org

Phone: 020 7928 1166

Registered Office: FIGO House, Suite 3, Waterloo Court, 10 Theed Street, London SE1 8ST, United Kingdom

UK Charity Number: 1113263

Company Number: 5498067

For grant applications: applications@figo.org (cervical cancer project)

For membership inquiries: membership@figo.org

Overview

Founded in 1954 in Geneva, Switzerland, by representatives from 42 national obstetrics and gynecology societies, FIGO has grown to become the world's largest alliance of national OBGYN societies with 132 member societies across 139 countries. Registered as a UK charity in 2005, FIGO's mission is "to improve women and girls' health and wellbeing, reduce disparities in health care and advance the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology worldwide." The organization is financed through member society dues, grants, and educational activities, with significant recent funding including an $89 million USAID grant for reproductive health services. FIGO entered into official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1956. The organization employs 39 staff members and operates through a network of 14 volunteers and 10 trustees.

Funding Priorities

IMPORTANT: FIGO grants are available only to FIGO member societies and regional federations, not to individual organizations. Non-members must apply for FIGO membership first or work through an existing member society.

Grant Programs

Cervical Cancer Elimination Project

• Amount: £20,000 per individual society; £40,000 for combined regional applications
• Number Available: Up to 4 grants per funding round
• Focus: Design and assessment grants for one-year education/advocacy initiatives on HPV vaccination and cervical screening in LMICs
• Application Method: Online application form to applications@figo.org
• Deadline: Rolling (recent round closed July 31st)
• Recent Recipients: Colombian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FECOLSOG), Bengal Obstetric and Gynecological Society (BOGS), Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NESOG), End Cervical Cancer Nigeria Initiative (ECCNI)

Lecture Tour Grants

• Amount: Up to US$2,000 per tour for air travel costs
• Number Available: Maximum 5 tours per calendar year
• Focus: Support qualified professionals to undertake lecture tours in developing countries on topics relevant to obstetrics and gynecology
• Application Method: Through and with support of inviting member society
• Requirement: Host society must confirm it will meet all local costs (accommodation, ground transport, food)

Safe Motherhood Workshop Grants

• Amount: Described as “modest grants” (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
• Focus: Support national workshops on maternal mortality and safe motherhood
• Application Method: Through member societies

Fellowship Programs

• Chien-Tien Hsu Fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology: US$5,000
• Additional fellowships available (specific details vary by program)

Priority Areas

• Maternal mortality reduction in low and middle-resource countries
• Safe motherhood initiatives and newborn health
• Cervical cancer elimination through vaccination and screening programmes
• HPV vaccination and cervical screening in regions without formal programmes
• Capacity building for member societies from low-resource countries
• Leadership development and good practice promotion
• Policy dialogues on women's health issues
• Reproductive health and family planning access in LMICs

What They Don't Fund

• Individual researchers or organizations that are not FIGO member societies
• Projects outside obstetrics, gynecology, and women's health
• Organizations or societies not affiliated with FIGO (must become members first)
• Projects in high-income countries without LMIC partnership focus
• General operational costs unrelated to specific project objectives

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Officer Trustees:

• President: Professor Kihara Anne-Beatrice (Kenya) - Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Nairobi
• President Elect: Professor Frank Louwen (Germany)
• Honorary Secretary: Dr Ravi Chandran
• Honorary Treasurer: Dr Shantha Kumari

Regional Trustees:

• Africa and Eastern Mediterranean: Professor Blami Dao (Burkina Faso)
• Asia Oceania: Dr Hrishikesh Pai (India)
• Europe: Professor Chiara Benedetto (Italy)
• Latin America: Dr Néstor César Garello (Argentina)
• North America: Professor Ernesto Castelazo (Mexico)

Executive Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Frances Longley (formerly ActionAid UK's first woman CEO)

Leadership Perspective on Funding

President Professor Kihara Anne-Beatrice emphasizes collaborative engagement: "With numerous LMICs likely to fall far short of reaching global SDGs, it is imperative that FIGO focuses work with member societies, striving to bring improvements. This work also speaks to one of FIGO's core commitment of strengthening the capacity of national member societies."

On the importance of member society collaboration: “It is only through the collaborative sharing by member societies, regional bodies, global outfits and likeminded stakeholders that we are able to have deliberations that can change the discourse for women, for healthier populace, for their wellness and rights.”

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Cervical Cancer Project Grants:

1. Complete detailed application form (available on project website)
2. Submit to applications@figo.org by deadline
3. Applications evaluated by FIGO Committee for Gynecologic Oncology
4. Final selection in collaboration with FIGO Board of Trustees
5. Must be a FIGO member society or regional federation

For Lecture Tour Grants:

1. Apply through and with support of inviting member society
2. Include letter of support from host society/societies confirming local cost coverage
3. Propose topic of relevance to obstetrics and gynecology
4. Applications reviewed by FIGO Officers
5. Maximum 5 tours supported per calendar year

For Workshop Grants:

Contact FIGO directly through figo@figo.org for current application procedures

For Organizations Not Yet FIGO Members:

1. Complete membership application form (available in English, French, Spanish)
2. Submit official letter signed by society President
3. Applications reviewed by FIGO Council
4. Ratification by FIGO General Assembly (held biennially at World Congress)
5. Contact membership@figo.org for questions

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The cervical cancer project evaluation process involves:

• Review by Committee for Gynecologic Oncology
• Collaboration with Board of Trustees for final selection
• Announcement of successful applicants via website and member communications

Success Rates

Cervical Cancer Project: In the first round, 5 successful grant applicants were selected from multiple applications across the globe, suggesting competitive selection. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

General: Success rates and total application numbers are not published for most FIGO grant programs.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful FIGO grant applicants are not publicly stated. The cervical cancer project notes that “further grants may be available subsequently, based on success, needs and available funds,” suggesting that the program may offer future rounds.

Best practice guidance suggests contacting FIGO directly for feedback and guidance on reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

What FIGO Looks For

Evidence-Based Collaborative Structures: According to program materials, “FIGO aims to develop evidence-based models on successful collaborative structures” for their cervical cancer project.

Focus on Gaps and Need: Priority given to countries/regions where no formal cervical cancer vaccination/screening programs exist or where existing programs are unsuccessful.

Capacity Building Approach: FIGO emphasizes strengthening leadership, promoting good practice, and building long-term capacity rather than one-off interventions.

North-South Mentoring: Historical programs show FIGO values partnerships between member societies in high-income countries and those in LMICs, with structured mentoring relationships.

Recent Funded Examples

Cervical Cancer Elimination Pilots (Recent Round):

• Colombia: Educational/advocacy initiative on HPV vaccination and screening
• India (2 projects): Gap assessment and program design for cervical cancer prevention
• Nepal: Vaccination/screening program development
• Nigeria: Cervical cancer elimination initiative

Safe Motherhood Programs (2006-2011):

Projects in Haiti, Kenya, Kosovo, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Uganda, Ukraine, and Uruguay focused on:

• Clinical training and protocol development
• Implementation of clinical audit
• Legislative and policy change
• Increasing accessibility to healthcare services

Key Terminology

FIGO uses specific language that applicants should mirror:

• “Capacity building” and “strengthening member societies”
• “Low and middle-income countries” (LMICs)
• “Evidence-based models” and “reproducible program models”
• “Collaborative structures” and “north-south mentoring”
• “Closing gaps” and “reducing disparities”
• “Safe motherhood” and “maternal mortality reduction”
• "Women's health and rights“ and ”empowerment of women and girls"

Standing Out in Applications

1. Demonstrate Clear Gap Identification: Show specific, evidence-based gaps in current provision within your country/region
2. Propose Reproducible Models: FIGO seeks initiatives that can be replicated and scaled, not one-off projects
3. Show Member Society Engagement: Applications from or strongly endorsed by active FIGO member societies are essential
4. Emphasize Sustainability: Projects should build long-term capacity, not create dependency
5. Align with FIGO Strategic Plan 2021-2030: Reference alignment with FIGO's strategic priorities
6. Include Collaboration: Multi-society or regional applications are welcomed (higher funding available)
7. Focus on LMICs: Projects in low and middle-income countries are the priority

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Membership is mandatory: You must be a FIGO member society or work through one. Non-members should apply for membership first or partner with an existing member society.
• Geographic priority on LMICs: FIGO strongly prioritizes projects in low and middle-income countries where gaps in women's health services are most acute.
• Capacity building over service delivery: Focus proposals on building sustainable capacity within member societies rather than direct service provision.
• Evidence-based approach essential: Demonstrate clear needs assessment, evidence-based intervention design, and evaluation plans.
• Collaboration increases competitiveness: Regional or multi-society applications receive higher funding (£40,000 vs £20,000) and may be viewed more favorably.
• Align with global health goals: Reference Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO priorities in applications.
• Technical support available: Successful grantees receive support from FIGO committees and headquarters, not just funding.
• Multiple funding streams: While grant amounts vary from modest (workshops) to substantial (cervical cancer project), FIGO offers various funding mechanisms to explore.

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Charity No. 1113263). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1113263&subId=0

1. FIGO Official Website - About Us. https://www.figo.org/about-us

1. FIGO - Eliminating Cervical Cancer: FIGO calls for grant proposals for new pilot project. https://www.figo.org/news/eliminating-cervical-cancer-figo-calls-grant-proposals-new-pilot-project

1. FIGO - FIGO's eliminating cervical cancer project announces five new pilots. https://www.figo.org/news/figos-eliminating-cervical-cancer-project-announces-five-new-pilots

1. FIGO - Structure and Governance / Board of Trustees. https://www.figo.org/about-us/structure-and-governance

1. FIGO - How to Join FIGO. https://www.figo.org/how-join-figo-0

1. FIGO - FIGO History. https://www.figo.org/figo_history

1. FIGO - Biennial Report 2021-2023: The President's Report. https://www.figo.org/biennial-report-2021-2023-presidents-report

1. FIGO - New USAID award to expand access to reproductive health services in low-resourced settings. https://www.figo.org/news/new-usaid-award-expand-access-reproductive-health-services-low-resourced-settings

1. Norwegian Gynecological Association - Fellowship and Grants, FIGO. https://www.legeforeningen.no/foreningsledd/fagmed/norsk-gynekologisk-forening/gynekologen/gynekologen-2003/gynekologen-nr-12003/fellowship-and-grants-figo/