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Now Accepting Grant Funding Applications
Ready to tackle industry interference? Apply by February 25.
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Now Accepting Grant Funding Applications
Now Accepting Grant Funding Applications
Do you have an idea for how to protect health policies from tobacco industry interference? You could be eligible for a grant. Apply by February 25.
Vital Strategies is now accepting project ideas to identify, expose and counter tobacco industry activities that undermine public health policy.
What are Tobacco Industry Interference Grants?
- Short-term projects around 6 months long with a budget of up to USD 30,000.
- Available to not-for-profit or civil society organizations.
- Projects should address a targeted need to directly expose or counter industry activity that is stalling tobacco control efforts and priorities.
- Applications are open to organizations from any country, but priority for funding will be given to project in low- and middle-income countries.
How to apply
- Download the full application pack for additional information and guidance.
- Submit a project idea via our online system.
- Please refer to the application pack for guidance on using this system, and please set up your account at least two days before the deadline to allow time for account approval.
- Submissions are open from January 30th–February 25th 2026.
Attend an information session to learn more
English: Wednesday, February 11
6:30 a.m. New York / 11:30 a.m. London / 7:30 p.m. Singapore
Spanish: Wednesday, February 11
10.00 a.m. Mexico City / 11:00 a.m. New York / 1:00 p.m. Buenos Aires
Uruguay: Fighting tobacco lobbyists
After 15 years of strong tobacco control policies, Uruguay's president issued a decree in 2021 allowing heated tobacco products to be sold in the country. Advocates suspected the tobacco industry was to blame.
Uruguay: Grantee Success
A local investigative journalism organization received a grant to explore if tobacco industry activity was behind the sudden reversal in policy. Their investigation confirmed that PMI, the world’s largest tobacco company, directly lobbied the government for the decree. Tobacco control groups integrated the findings into advocacy activities, including legal actions, which pushed the government to annul the decree in 2025.
Grantee Success Stories
Kosovo: Empowering the Government
Advocates exposed how tobacco industry interference had kept graphic health warnings off tobacco product packaging. The Ministry of Health used their findings to overcome the industry's influence and implement warnings covering 65% of packs.
Kosovo: Grantee Quote
“[Grant] activities not only raised public awareness but also [awareness with] the government, especially the Ministry of Health, to recognize and resist industry tactics. The visibility and credibility gained through media engagement helped increase pressure on decision-makers.”
— Shkumbin Spahija, Executive Director, Kosovo Advocacy and Development Centre
Ghana: Exposing policy interference
The tobacco industry influenced tax legislation in 2023. Grant funding was used to document these tactics and expose them to the media. Their reporting sparked additional investigations and ongoing vigilance to protect future policies from the industry.
Ghana: Grantee Quote
“[Our report] led to policy discussions, increased awareness among government agencies and informed the development of counter-narratives. After the grant ended, findings continued to shape policy reforms, influence regional tobacco industry monitoring and drive capacity-building efforts.”
— Labram Musah Massawudu, Project Lead, Vision for Alternative Development