Provide technical assistance (TA) to support the Botswana Ministry of Health (MOH) implement policies and programs across the HIV clinical and prevention cascade under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for funding opportunity number CDC-RFA-JG-25-0082 is a five-year cooperative agreement initiative by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It aims to support the Botswana Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening public health programs and systems to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control. This funding is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and emphasizes integrated, person-centered, and stigma-free HIV/TB care and prevention. The expected funding for the first year is $7.5 million, with a possibility of awarding between 1 and 3 projects based on fund availability and program priorities. The program's primary objectives are to provide technical assistance to improve HIV capacity building, case-finding, care and treatment, prevention, and continuity of care, focusing on high-priority and underserved populations. Specific activities include strengthening HIV diagnosis and treatment, TB screening and prevention for individuals living with HIV, advanced HIV disease management, integration of HIV and non-communicable disease care, and cervical cancer prevention for women with HIV. Other goals include addressing operational gaps, expanding mentorship programs for healthcare workers, and advancing evidence-based policy and guideline implementation. Eligibility for the NOFO is broad and includes state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, academic institutions, and foreign entities. Proposals must focus on implementing projects in Botswana. Applications must meet certain criteria to advance in the selection process, such as adherence to page limits, compliance with project scope, and submission in English. Additionally, the program offers a funding preference to local partners in Botswana who meet specific eligibility requirements under the PEPFAR local partner definition. The submission process requires applicants to register on SAM.gov and Grants.gov, as these registrations may take several weeks. The application, including required elements such as project abstracts, narratives, work plans, and budgets, must be submitted by February 19, 2025. Specific formatting guidelines include single-spacing, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins. Attachments supporting organizational experience, financial capacity, and key personnel resumes are mandatory. Applications will undergo a two-tiered review process: initial responsiveness review and merit-based scoring. The criteria for merit review include the quality of the proposed approach (35 points), organizational capacity (40 points), and data monitoring and evaluation strategies (25 points). Additional points may be awarded for meeting the PEPFAR local partner preference. Awards will be announced by August 2025, with projects commencing on September 30, 2025. Once funded, recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including performance and financial reports, as well as evaluations to monitor progress. CDC will provide substantial technical assistance and oversight throughout the project period. Further details, including additional documentation requirements and reporting expectations, are outlined in the NOFO. For support during the application process, applicants can contact the CDC program or grants management officers.