The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), a long-time collaborator of the World Health Organization (WHO) and HRP (the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction), has pledged US$ 7.2 million to the United Nations’ leading programme dedicated to research in human reproduction. This contribution arrives at a pivotal moment, as significant reductions in global health and development funding risk slowing — and in some cases undoing — important gains achieved in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

CIFF’s contribution underscores a shared determination to safeguard and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. In an environment where multi-year flexible funding is increasingly uncommon, this renewed support demonstrates strong trust in HRP’s scientific expertise, global mandate and capacity to remain responsive, impartial and impactful as a co-sponsored United Nations programme.

Collaboration with HRP plays a crucial role within the broader SRHR landscape, given its leadership in setting normative standards and conducting major research in the field. CIFF’s investment will allow HRP to plan and implement priority research initiatives and develop scalable, evidence-based guidance and solutions tailored to the needs of communities and health systems. It will also strengthen the UN system’s ability to assist countries in adopting and applying this guidance across a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda.

“At a time when sexual and reproductive health and rights face increasingly complex challenges, CIFF’s support enhances HRP’s capacity to advance cutting-edge science and evidence-based action worldwide,” said Pascale Allotey, Director of HRP and WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing. “It enables us to respond to emerging needs and to equip UN partners, governments, civil society, researchers and health professionals with effective tools and scalable solutions.”

This strategic alliance combines HRP’s scientific leadership with CIFF’s catalytic and data-driven investment strategy, helping to accelerate measurable impact through strong, science-based guidance. Areas of focus include contraception, infertility, safe abortion care, self-care interventions, adolescent health, prevention of gender-based violence and related priorities.

“Although philanthropy cannot fully compensate for the substantial funding gaps created by cuts to international aid and development budgets, carefully targeted partnerships can play a critical role in sustaining essential initiatives such as this,” said Miles Kemplay, Executive Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights at CIFF.

“CIFF is proud to support HRP in carrying forward its central mission as a producer of high-quality evidence and a convener of global partnerships that establish and promote standards in sexual health and sexual rights.”

For nearly ten years, CIFF has maintained a strong partnership with WHO and HRP, collaborating across areas including HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights, efforts to end violence against children, nutrition and health equity. CIFF continues to invest substantially in WHO’s work, with US$ 26 million currently supporting programmes spanning SRHR, HIV prevention, nutrition and the prevention of violence against children.