Applying for funding through the Special Programme

The Special Programme issues periodic calls for applications for funding of projects aimed at institutional strengthening for the sound management of chemicals and waste.

The ninth round of applications is now OPEN.

As part of the discussion the Executive Board approved the arrangements for the ninth round of applications which is being launched on 15 May 2026 with the deadline of 20 July 2026 subject to the availability of funds. Some substantive changes to the application process were approved by the board as:

Only single-country applications will be invited.
Maximum budget set at USD 200,000;
Maximum project duration reduced to 21 months;
Incomplete and/or unsigned applications will be automatically rejected.

The 9th round applicants are invited to submit the applications focused on building blocks towards achieving:

Legislative or regulatory reform to promote the sound management of chemicals and waste (and related activities including stakeholder coordination and training relating to implementation of the legislation or regulation)

Sustainable domestic financing mechanisms to support the sound management of chemicals and waste. Such a focus could draw on the recently published guidance document on sustainable domestic financing produced by the Special Programme with financial support from the government of Germany; or

Implementation of or compliance with legal obligations under the conventions.

Project proposals should adopt a cross-cutting approach that seeks to enhance implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the Minamata Convention and the Global Framework on Chemicals.

Please scroll down to view the eligibility criteria, application forms and further information on how to apply for funding.

Special Programme Eligibility for funding

In approving the arrangements for the launch of the seventh round of funding, the Executive Board revised the eligibility criteria for funding under the Special Programme. The Board decided that "Countries should refer to paragraph 6 of the Terms of Reference for eligibility which states that ‘Support from the Special Programme will be available for developing countries, taking into account the special needs of least developed countries and small island developing States, and for countries with economies in transition (1), with priority given to those with least capacity’.

Note that a number of donors have strict policies of funding only applications that meet the eligibility requirements of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) (2) at the time of application".

Application forms and process

Governments interested in submitting an application are invited to prepare their project application in consultation with ministries and stakeholders to identify national priorities, gaps and challenges to facilitate and enable the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention and the Global Framework on Chemicals.

Consultation with additional sources, such as the Secretariats of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the Minamata Convention, Global Framework on Chemical s and GEF, including consultation with the GEF focal point, LIRA guidance, Guidance on Chemicals Control and guidance on Gender mainstreaming is also encouraged.

Additional information is detailed in the updated Guidance on the scope of the Special Programme (Available in French and Spanish. The Arabic, Chinese and Russian will be available soon) which provides information on eligibility and the types of projects that may be funded.

In addition, the updated Special Programme Application Guidelines (Available in French and Spanish. The Arabic, Chinese and Russian will be available soon) outlines the project application process and step by step information on how to fill in the application forms.

Applications must include:

The duly signed Project application Form A
A Project budget Form B
Endorsement letter from the Official focal point
Letters of support from the project partners confirming its/their role(s)
Projects with an implementing organization/institution, a letter from the organization/institution confirming its role (if relevant)
Annexes providing any relevant additional information regarding the measures and activities to be funded

Applications must be submitted in English only.

Complete application packages should be sent electronically in Word and PDF versions to: unepchemicalsspecialprogramme@un.org

Original signed forms and supporting documents may also be submitted to the Secretariat by post to the following address:

Special Programme Secretariat,
UN Environment, Economy Division,
Chemicals and Health Branch,
Avenue de la Paix 8-14,
1211 Genève, Switzerland

Detailed information on the projects that have been funded to date, can be found in our Project Database.

Please contact the Secretariat of the Special Programme at unepchemicalsspecialprogramme@un.org for more information.

Support to applicants

The Special Programme e-Learning Platform is available to assist Governments with the process of completing a Special Programme application based on the project application guidelines. We invite you to visit the platform and take the course.

The Secretariat will be available to hold a clinic to support applicants in discussing their project applications. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Secretariat as early as possible and no later than 30 June 2026. Requests received after this date cannot be accommodated. To schedule a meeting with the Secretariat, please use the following link or scan the QR code: http://bit.ly/4ufs7x6

The Special Programme Secretariat will host a webinar on 21 May 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Geneva time. The session will be held in English, French and Spanish and will guide applicants through the application process, project design requirements, and the updated provisions on project duration and budget. Please register here.