The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is supplying a $1.5-million grant to ABC News to expand coverage of global health issues, according to The New York Times.

The grant amounts to a quarter of the budget for the yearlong project, with the rest coming from the network. David Westin, president of ABC News, said the Gates money would pay for “overseas travel and production” for segments on issues such as infant and maternal health but that the network would retain editorial control.

Mr. Westin said ABC News had previously worked with foundations to cover stories but had never accepted a cash grant. In exchange for the money, the network committed to extensive coverage of health issues on all its news programs as well as two prime-time specials.

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