Ending HIV as a public health threat through an accelerated and sustained comprehensive response in India under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has issued a forecasted opportunity titled "Ending HIV as a public health threat through an accelerated and sustained comprehensive response in India under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)." This program is structured as a cooperative agreement and seeks to align with India’s National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in accelerating and sustaining epidemic control of HIV within priority regions. The program is supported under Assistance Listing 93.067, which pertains to global AIDS programming. The forecast was released on October 1, 2025, with the notice indicating a projected total fiscal year funding of approximately $6,000,000 for the first year, contingent upon appropriations. The purpose of the initiative is to support the Government of India’s National AIDS Control Program Phase VI, which has a central objective of eliminating HIV as a public health threat. The funding will be directed toward strengthening evidence-based, person-centered strategies that improve prevention, enhance case finding, increase linkage to treatment, ensure adherence, and support long-term viral suppression for individuals living with HIV or tuberculosis. By doing so, the program seeks not only to reduce disease prevalence in India but also to contribute to global health security and the protection of American health through controlling the spread of infectious disease globally. Applicants are expected to implement innovative models of HIV service delivery that reduce gaps in testing and treatment, integrate services for HIV and comorbidities, and address challenges such as drug resistance. The cooperative agreement also emphasizes sustainability by encouraging cost-effective, locally owned solutions in partnership with national, state, district, and community stakeholders. A strong emphasis is placed on reinforcing collaborations between public health authorities, communities, and private sector actors to ensure program effectiveness and sustainability. Recipients will also be required to bolster readiness for future epidemics, building durable health systems that can prevent and respond to emerging public health threats. The eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad, encompassing state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and private higher education institutions, public housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations, Native American tribal governments, nonprofits with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and other for-profit entities. This wide eligibility framework is designed to encourage diverse applications from organizations with the capacity to support large-scale HIV prevention and treatment programs. The notice does not specify unique restrictions beyond this inclusivity, indicating that all listed entities are encouraged to apply. The estimated posting date for the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is December 2, 2025, with applications due by February 17, 2026, no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The estimated award date is September 30, 2026, which will also mark the project start date. Applications must be submitted electronically, and late submissions will not be considered. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent are mentioned in the forecasted notice. The forecast also notes an archive date of March 19, 2026, after which the opportunity will no longer be visible on Grants.gov. Although the forecasted notice currently lists award ceiling, award floor, and total program funding as zero, it also states that approximately $6,000,000 in total fiscal year funding is anticipated for Year 1, pending availability of funds. This discrepancy is typical in early forecasts and will likely be clarified in the final NOFO. The CDC anticipates making up to two awards under this opportunity, meaning that individual award amounts will likely be significant and designed for large-scale programmatic implementation. Applicants with questions or requiring additional information may contact the grantor through the dedicated email address provided: pepfarfoas@cdc.gov. The listed point of contact is DGHT NOFOs, a program office managing PEPFAR-related opportunities. The notice does not provide a telephone number for direct inquiries. Additional details will be available once the final NOFO is released in December 2025, at which time applicants should review updated requirements, budget limits, and program-specific evaluation criteria.