About the William H. Gates Sr. Institute
A Global Leader in Family Planning, Reproductive Health, and Population Dynamics for Over 25 years
Our Mission
Scholarship and Science for Social Change
Founded in 1999 with the mission of “Scholarship and Science for Social Change,” the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (WHGI) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) has advanced innovation in family planning, reproductive health, and population dynamics for more than 25 years.
Launched in response to the global call for investments in effective family planning, reproductive health, and population dynamics research, programs, and policies, WHGI builds on Johns Hopkins’ renowned public health leadership in translating science into action. The Institute conducts research, implements programs, and advances evidence-based advocacy to improve health outcomes, strengthen health systems and governance, and build technical capacity in communities around the world.
Former Institute Directors Laurie Zabin and Amy Tsui gather with former BSPH students, whose work at BSPH helped inspire the creation of the Institute, to celebrate the Institute’s 15th anniversary ahead of a meeting with William H. Gates Sr. in 2014.
ICFP 2025 attendees come together to participate in pre-conference activities in Bogotá, Colombia.
PMA female resident enumerators in India use mobile devices to collect reproductive health data in the field.
Our Global Programs & Platforms
The Institute's Cost-effective, Scalable, and Sustainable Solutions Ready for Investment
WHGI organizes its work around six interconnected Global Programs:
- Research, Measurement, & Data Monitoring;
- Demographic Futures, Population, & Environment;
- Policy, Advocacy, & Community-Building;
- Next Generation Leaders; Best Practices Scale Up; and
- Gender Equity.
Within these Global Programs are platforms for investment that offer hands-on technical expertise and implementation support within each focus area.
WHGI's current platforms include the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), The Challenge Initiative (TCI), the Family Planning News Network (FPNN), Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA), Demographic Dividend Initiative, and the Global Health Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator (GHLAA)—among many others launched and led by the Institute over the years.
These platforms serve as multi-layered ecosystems that deliver cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions across population and reproductive health.
WHGI’s structure fosters deliberate collaboration across its programs and platforms, throughout the Johns Hopkins University and Medicine enterprise, and with strategic partners at the global, regional, and local levels.
Our Partnerships
Strengthening Systems, Leadership, and Evidence Through Global Collaboration
WHGI’s strength lies in its global networks and long-standing partnerships. The Institute convenes researchers, implementers, policymakers, advocates, journalists, healthcare providers, donors, and local leaders to accelerate knowledge exchange, share best practices, and drive locally led solutions.
Since its establishment, WHGI has partnered with more than 370 institutions and local governments worldwide, with over 90% based in the Global South. This extensive network enables country-based partners to lead research, implementation, and advocacy efforts while strengthening scientific leadership, technical capacity, and health governance through collaboration.
By connecting global expertise with local leadership, WHGI strengthens locally led solutions and supports the development of the next generation of leaders in family planning, reproductive health, and population dynamics.
Looking ahead, WHGI continues to expand its engagement and partnerships across population and reproductive health and related sectors, working alongside other organizations in the field to strengthen collective impact and advance shared priorities across the broader health and development landscape.
Former Institute Director Jose “Oying” Rimon II, GHLAA training founders Henry Mosley and Ben Lozare, together with Kellie Welborn and a GHLAA training participant Laraib Abid.
Former Institute Director Amy Tsui presents the 2004 launch of the Reproductive Health Centers of Excellence—WHGI partnerships in Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Peru.
Our Founding
A philanthropist, lawyer, and humanitarian, William H. Gates Sr. championed efforts to advance global equity, reduce infant mortality, promote reproductive health, and expand access to education. His vision and leadership helped inspire the creation of an institute dedicated to strengthening population and reproductive health capacity globally.
In 1997, a two-year planning grant from what would become the Gates Foundation helped catalyze the development of WHGI. In 1999, the Gates Foundation provided an additional $20 million to formally establish the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (formerly the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health) within BSPH’s Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health (PFRH).
Since 2012, WHGI has grown significantly and diversified its funding base while continuing to build on the philanthropic vision and global health legacy that shaped its founding.
Our Global Programs
We organize our work around six interconnected Global Programs that bring together our platforms and partnerships across research, program implementation, and advocacy to advance progress in key population and reproductive health priorities. Explore the Global Programs below to learn more.
Gender Equity
(Cross-cutting)
Integrating gender equity across research, practice, & policy
Research, Measurement, & Data Monitoring
Generating evidence to support global population, reproductive health, & gender equity.
Demographic Futures, Population, & Environment
Exploring the links between population, health, and the environment
Policy, Advocacy, & Community-building
Prioritizing country-led collaborations to promote evidence-based solutions & collective action
Next Generation Leaders
Strengthening the next generation of population, reproductive health, & gender equity experts
Best Practices Scale Up
Implementing locally led population, reproductive health, & gender equity programs
Our Platforms
Within our Global Programs, our platforms for investment provide hands-on technical expertise and implementation support. Explore the platforms below to learn how they deliver cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions across population and reproductive health.
International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP)
The Challenge Initiative (TCI)
Family Planning News Network (FPNN)
Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA)
Demographic Dividend Initiative
SMART Advocacy
Global Health Leadership Accelerator (GHLAA)
Reproductive Health Centers of Excellence
PFRH Summer Institute
120 Under 40
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