The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced a forecasted cooperative agreement titled “Strengthening Community Engagement and Quality Improvement of HIV/AIDS Services in Sierra Leone under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).” This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of HIV/AIDS programs through community-based monitoring and participatory quality improvement in approximately 96 PEPFAR-supported service sites across seven districts in Sierra Leone. By engaging clients, healthcare workers, and local leaders, the program intends to drive improvements in service delivery and health outcomes aligned with PEPFAR’s global mission to end the HIV epidemic.
The program’s primary objective is to establish a community engagement system that accurately captures client experiences in accessing HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and viral load monitoring services. Data collected through standardized assessment tools will be used to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement, ultimately supporting the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone to strengthen the national HIV response. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration between communities and healthcare providers to ensure that interventions are client-centered and sustainable.
CDC anticipates approximately $350,000 in funding for the first year of this cooperative agreement, contingent on the availability of funds. The first-year award ceiling is not explicitly stated, though total funding for subsequent years will depend on performance and congressional appropriations. The estimated start date for the project is September 30, 2026, following an estimated award date on the same day. Only one award is expected under this opportunity, emphasizing the focused nature of the intervention and its pilot-scale implementation across multiple regions.
Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as U.S. state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit and for-profit entities; higher education institutions; and small businesses. This inclusivity encourages cross-sector collaboration, though entities must demonstrate the technical capacity and relevant experience to implement community-based HIV quality improvement programs. No cost sharing or matching funds are required, lowering the financial barrier for qualified applicants.
Applications are anticipated to open following the estimated posting date of December 2, 2025, with electronic submissions due by February 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The CDC’s Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis will oversee the program, and applicants may direct inquiries to the official program inbox at pepfarfoas@cdc.gov. Once funded, the awardee will work closely with CDC and local stakeholders to design, implement, and evaluate the program in line with PEPFAR standards, producing measurable results that contribute to improved client satisfaction and strengthened HIV/AIDS service delivery systems in Sierra Leone.
Submissions should emphasize participatory quality improvement and stakeholder collaboration consistent with PEPFAR performance monitoring.
