Implementation of Programs for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Cte dIvoire under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a CDC funding opportunity (CDC RFA GH15-1516) supported by PEPFAR. It is a discretionary cooperative agreement focused on sustaining and strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, with activities primarily concentrated in the northern regions.

2) What is the main goal of the award?

The core goal is to build directly on earlier HHS/CDC HIV treatment investments so there is no disruption in services for people already enrolled in HIV care, support, and antiretroviral therapy (ART). At the same time, the project is expected to moderately expand access to HIV services and progressively shift skills, systems, and responsibility to national and local institutions for long-term sustainability.

3) What does "no disruption in services" mean in this context?

It means the program is designed to keep HIV services running continuously for existing clients already in care, including continued access to comprehensive services and ART, while improvements and expansions are made.

4) Where will the work take place?

The work is in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, with activities primarily concentrated in the northern regions.

5) What types of activities are expected under this cooperative agreement?

The program emphasizes both direct service delivery and capacity building. Early on, the recipient is expected to support direct HIV service delivery in clinics and communities. Over time, the emphasis increasingly shifts toward technical assistance and institutional strengthening for indigenous Ivorian organizations and key government counterparts.

6) Which government counterparts are specifically referenced?

The opportunity highlights collaboration and strengthening support for the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry/structure responsible for the Fight Against AIDS (MSLS).

7) What is meant by "capacity building" in this opportunity?

Capacity building here refers to strengthening skills, systems, and institutional responsibility so that national and local actors can reliably sustain and expand a basic package of HIV services after the award period ends.

8) Is the project expected to expand HIV services, or only sustain existing services?

Both. The award prioritizes continuity for existing clients, and it also expects a moderate expansion of access to HIV services, alongside a planned shift toward local ownership.

9) How important is community-based work compared to facility-based services?

A defining feature is the expectation to blend facility-based HIV strategies with strong community components. Facility-based clinical care should be reinforced by community mobilization, follow-up, and case management approaches designed to keep people engaged in care.

10) What outcomes are emphasized for community and clinic integration?

Retention in care is highlighted as a priority outcome. Activities are expected to address barriers such as loss to follow-up, gaps in adherence support, and weak linkages between testing, enrollment, and ongoing treatment.

11) What kinds of retention-focused approaches are implied by the opportunity description?

The description points to coordinated clinic-community workflows, patient tracking and follow-up mechanisms, and targeted support for individuals at risk of dropping out of care, while maintaining quality standards for HIV prevention, clinical management, and ART service delivery.

12) What is expected by the end of the project period?

By the end of the five-year project period, the recipient is expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in northern Cote d'Ivoire using program data, and to support a structured transition of activities to MSLS and/or capable local organizations.

13) How long is the project period?

The opportunity describes expectations by the end of a five-year project period.

14) What does the FOA say about data, monitoring, and evaluation?

The FOA explicitly calls for the ability to collect and evaluate data that show improved quality. This implies strengthening routine monitoring and evaluation systems, using data for performance improvement, and documenting results that can support eventual handover to national and local actors.

15) What is meant by a "structured transition" at the end of the award?

It refers to a deliberate handover of activities to MSLS and/or capable local organizations so that a core HIV service package can continue without heavy external operational dependence.

16) What type of funding mechanism is used?

This is a cooperative agreement, which indicates CDC is likely to have substantial involvement through technical collaboration and oversight rather than acting as a purely passive funder.

17) What is the maximum funding amount?

The announcement anticipated a single award with an award ceiling of $7,000,000.

18) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.

19) How many awards were anticipated?

The announcement anticipated a single award.

20) What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?

The funding activity category is health. The CFDA number listed is 93.067 (Global AIDS).

21) Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes government entities and non-government organizations. Examples listed include national ministries of health and other governmental bodies; U.S. state and local governments and their bona fide agents (including U.S. territories and certain freely associated states); federally or state-recognized tribal governments and tribally designated organizations; Alaska Native health corporations; tribal epidemiology centers; and urban Indian health organizations.

23) Are nonprofits and community organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligible applicant types include nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those specific categories), community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations.

24) Are hospitals, colleges, and universities eligible?

Yes. Hospitals, colleges, and universities are listed among eligible applicants.

25) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are included, and small/minority/women-owned businesses are also referenced among eligible applicants.

26) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date was September 8, 2014. The original closing date was October 18, 2014, later extended to October 23, 2014. The archive date was November 17, 2014.

27) What should an applicant do if they cannot access the full application materials?

The announcement provides a CDC Procurement and Grants Office contact for applicants who have trouble accessing the full materials.

28) What are the main themes an applicant should align with?

Based on the description provided, the main themes are: continuity of ART and comprehensive HIV services for current clients, moderate expansion of access to HIV services, strong clinic-community integration to improve retention, increasing emphasis on technical assistance and institutional strengthening over time, measurable quality and performance improvements demonstrated through data, and a deliberate transition to national and local ownership by the end of the project.