Improving the Quality of HIV Service Delivery and Other Priority Public Health Interventions through Training Support for Epidemiology, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Survey and Laboratory Services in Nigeria under the President’s Emergency Plan | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Improving the Quality of HIV Service Delivery and Other Priority Public Health Interventions through Training Support for Epidemiology, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Survey and Laboratory Services in Nigeria under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS."

Which U.S. government agency is offering this grant?

This grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through CDC's Center for Global Health.

What program framework is this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity is associated with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and it is presented as part of PEPFAR's broader Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) approach.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The central purpose is to strengthen Nigeria's public health workforce and systems by expanding the number of trained professionals with practical Field Epidemiology skills, with those skills intended to directly support HIV program management and service delivery.

What technical areas does the training support focus on?

The described training support focuses on epidemiology (including field epidemiology), monitoring and evaluation (M&E), surveys, and laboratory services.

How is the grant expected to improve HIV service delivery?

By building practical field epidemiology and related capabilities, the program is meant to improve HIV program management and the quality of service delivery, including stronger monitoring of outcomes, faster identification of service delivery gaps, and improved measurement of program performance.

What are Sub-National Units (SNUs), and why are they emphasized?

SNUs are sub-national units where much of the day-to-day program execution, supervision, and data use occurs. The opportunity emphasizes improving SNU-level capability because it generally translates into better oversight of clinical and community HIV services and more reliable program performance monitoring.

Is this opportunity only about HIV?

No. While HIV service delivery and HIV program management are central, the opportunity is also framed to strengthen routine public health functions that can be applied to other priority public health interventions.

How does this funding relate to health systems strengthening (HSS)?

The training and support are intended to build durable national capacity in cross-cutting functions (epidemiologic investigation, M&E, surveys, and laboratory services). Strengthening these functions supports higher-quality HIV services while also strengthening the broader public health system.

Does the opportunity address outbreak readiness and response?

Yes. A major theme is readiness and response to outbreaks of other diseases of public health importance. The investment in field epidemiology and related technical areas is positioned as a way to support more effective national outbreak response capability.

How are trainees expected to contribute during outbreaks?

The trained workforce is expected to be able to pivot from routine HIV program monitoring to detecting, investigating, and helping control infectious disease outbreaks, using standardized surveillance approaches, strong data systems, and laboratory-supported confirmation.

What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

It is a discretionary award under a cooperative agreement mechanism.

What does a cooperative agreement imply about how the project will be run?

A cooperative agreement typically means the recipient would work in close coordination with CDC on planning, implementation, oversight, and performance monitoring rather than operating independently with minimal federal involvement.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is CDC RFA GH16-1642.

When was the opportunity published?

The opportunity was published on December 4, 2015.

What was the application closing date?

The closing date was February 7, 2016.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $5,000,000.

How many awards were anticipated?

One award was anticipated.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Health.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 93.067.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as "Others." Additional eligibility details are referenced as being provided elsewhere in the full announcement text.

What country is the program intended to support?

The program is intended to support Nigeria by strengthening training capacity and public health workforce systems in-country.

What kinds of longer-term results does the opportunity aim to achieve?

The intended end result is a larger, better-prepared cadre of public health professionals who can support HIV management at sub-national levels and contribute to coordinated, evidence-based responses to other disease threats nationwide.

How does the opportunity connect laboratory services to epidemiology and surveillance?

Laboratory services are included alongside epidemiology and surveillance functions to support confirmation and investigation, particularly in outbreak response where laboratory-supported confirmation is part of standardized approaches.

How does monitoring and evaluation (M&E) fit into the overall goals?

M&E is presented as a core cross-cutting capability that supports HIV program quality by improving how programs measure performance, monitor outcomes, and identify issues that require corrective action.

What role do surveys play in this opportunity?

Surveys are included as part of the technical areas to be strengthened, contributing to improved data for program monitoring, evaluation, and broader public health decision-making.