Strengthening Indias integrated HIV/STI tiered laboratory network through continuous quality improvement, surveillance, and laboratory data management under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Notice of Funding Opportunity titled "Strengthening India’s Integrated HIV/STI Tiered Laboratory Network Through Continuous Quality Improvement, Surveillance, and Laboratory Data Management Under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PEPFAR" (CDC-RFA-JG-25-0102) focuses on improving the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of HIV and sexually transmitted infection diagnostic services in India. The program supports the National AIDS Control Program under the Ministry of Health to maintain gains and further strengthen the delivery of high-quality, integrated laboratory services. The initiative emphasizes optimizing laboratory networks, scaling up viral load testing, improving biosafety standards, achieving international certifications, and enhancing patient-centered approaches for diagnostics. Additional priorities include molecular epidemiology to track transmission networks, HIV drug resistance testing, and innovative strategies to improve diagnostic coverage and access. The funding is structured as a cooperative agreement with total expected funding for the first year at one million dollars. The program will provide one to two awards over five years, pending performance and availability of funds. Component-based funding will align activities with quarterly targets and programmatic priorities. Applicants are expected to focus on expanding HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing within the public sector, improving laboratory quality assurance and biosafety, integrating continuous quality improvement activities, and strengthening surveillance capacity. The NOFO highlights the importance of rapid turnaround for test results, expanded proficiency testing programs, and the use of point-of-care testing to address barriers in access and service delivery. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal entities, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, academic institutions, small businesses, and foreign-based organizations. Projects must be implemented in India, and applicants must comply with the Government of India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, submitting proof of active registration. Proposals that do not meet eligibility requirements, exceed the 20-page project narrative limit, or fail to include required documentation such as FCRA registration will be deemed nonresponsive. Applicants are encouraged to propose collaborations with government agencies, community groups, and other relevant stakeholders to implement the program successfully. Applications are due on February 25, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time through Grants.gov. The project narrative must include a background description, detailed implementation strategies, expected outcomes, and focus populations. Additional required documents include a budget narrative, work plans, financial capability statements, organizational charts, resumes for key personnel, and letters of commitment from sub-partners, where applicable. Applications will be evaluated based on the strength of the approach, organizational capacity, and data monitoring and evaluation plans. The approach will be scored for innovation, sustainability, and alignment with program goals, while the organizational capacity section will assess the experience and qualifications of key personnel and infrastructure. Merit review scores will determine the application rankings, though final funding decisions will also consider programmatic priorities and available funding. Successful applicants will be notified by August 2025, with awards expected to begin on September 30, 2025. Post-award requirements include routine performance and financial reporting, participation in CDC monitoring activities, and compliance with PEPFAR data and quality assurance guidelines. Recipients must allocate at least ten percent of their budgets to monitoring activities and five percent to evaluation activities. Reports must include key performance indicators such as viral load coverage, diagnostic quality improvement, and laboratory accreditation progress. Evaluation findings will be shared with stakeholders to improve program implementation and ensure alignment with the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.