Community Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (Community PMTCT) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Community Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (Community PMTCT) - USAID/Ethiopia

1) What is the Community PMTCT funding opportunity?

The Community Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (Community PMTCT) opportunity is a USAID/Ethiopia discretionary funding announcement intended to launch and define a new PMTCT program in Ethiopia using community-based approaches. The program centers on improving both the uptake and the quality of HIV and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services for pregnant women.

2) What is the main purpose of this program?

The main purpose is to reduce HIV transmission from mothers to children by helping pregnant women access HIV testing, counseling, and PMTCT interventions earlier and more consistently, and by improving continuity of care for mothers and infants after delivery.

3) Where will the program be implemented?

The opportunity is designed for Ethiopia. The issuing agency is USAID in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

4) What approach does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes community-based approaches that strengthen the link between community-level support systems and formal health services, rather than relying on clinic-only PMTCT delivery.

5) Who are the primary beneficiaries or target populations?

The central focus is on pregnant women, particularly improving their access to HIV and MCH services. The program also targets HIV-positive mothers, HIV-exposed infants, and families who need community support to stay engaged in care during pregnancy and postpartum.

6) What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to improve?

The program aims to improve service uptake and quality for HIV and MCH services among pregnant women, strengthen continuity of care after delivery, reduce gaps between pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period, and ultimately prevent pediatric HIV infections while improving the well-being of mothers and families.

7) How does the opportunity describe the role of community systems and structures?

A major objective is strengthening community systems and structures that support HIV-positive pregnant women and their families. This includes building and organizing community networks that encourage timely antenatal care attendance, promote HIV testing, support disclosure where appropriate, reduce stigma, and help women remain engaged in care throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

8) What community-level activities are highlighted in the announcement?

The opportunity signals a move beyond clinic-only PMTCT by using community mechanisms to find and refer pregnant women, support adherence to treatment or prophylaxis, and reinforce healthy maternal and infant practices aligned with national guidelines.

9) What does the program say about antenatal care (ANC)?

The program specifically mentions encouraging timely antenatal care attendance as part of building community networks that support pregnant women.

10) How does the program address stigma and barriers to care?

It includes reducing stigma that keeps women from seeking services, and building community supports that encourage engagement with HIV testing, counseling, and continued care.

11) What does the opportunity say about HIV testing and counseling?

A central focus is ensuring pregnant women access testing and counseling earlier and more consistently, supported by stronger community-to-facility linkages.

12) What is meant by "continuity of care" in this opportunity?

Continuity of care refers to maintaining consistent, connected services across pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum so that mothers and infants do not drop out of care after a single visit or intervention.

13) What follow-up does the program include for HIV-exposed infants?

It includes ensuring HIV-exposed babies are tracked so they receive appropriate infant services and testing at the recommended times.

14) What follow-up does the program include for HIV-positive mothers?

It includes ensuring HIV-positive mothers remain connected to ongoing HIV care and treatment services over time, not only during pregnancy.

15) What type of award is this, and what does it imply?

This opportunity is a cooperative agreement. That means USAID expects substantial involvement in the program's design and implementation compared with a more hands-off grant.

16) How much funding is available under this opportunity?

The total estimated funding is $30,000,000.

17) What are the award ceiling and award floor?

Both the award ceiling and the award floor are listed as $30,000,000, indicating the expectation of a single award at the full amount.

18) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

The announcement lists one expected award.

19) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

20) What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Health.

21) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the full announcement's eligibility section.

23) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 16, 2009.

24) What was the closing date for applications?

The original and current closing date listed is July 16, 2009.

25) Is the opportunity still active?

No. The opportunity was archived on August 15, 2009.

26) Who issued this funding announcement?

The issuing agency is USAID in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

27) Who should be contacted for access issues with the full announcement?

The listed contact for access issues is Marie Claire Sow, Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist.

28) What contact details are provided for the announcement contact?

Phone: 202-216-6203. Email: mcsow@usaid.gov.