Strengthen capacity of the South African Government’s Department of Health to provide quality and sustainable clinical care for HIV-infected patients with complicated HIV and HIV/TB treatment management, including 2nd and 3rd line and other antiret | Apply Online

Funding Opportunity FAQs

1) Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding opportunity through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically through CDC CGH.

2) What type of award is this?

The opportunity is a cooperative agreement, which typically means CDC will have substantial involvement in guiding, collaborating on, or providing oversight related to the funded work (as opposed to a more hands-off grant).

3) Is this a new program or continuation funding?

This is described as continuation funding. It is intended to extend or continue ongoing work rather than start a completely new standalone project.

4) What is the CFDA number and funding activity area?

The opportunity sits within the health funding activity area under CFDA number 93.067.

5) How is this opportunity connected to PEPFAR?

The program is tied to the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and aligns with PEPFAR goals related to improving treatment outcomes, reducing morbidity and mortality, and supporting sustainable, country-led HIV responses.

6) What country or geographic focus does the opportunity target?

The stated focus is South Africa.

7) What is the central purpose of the program?

The central purpose is strengthening the South African Government Department of Healths capacity to deliver high-quality, sustainable clinical services for people living with HIV who have more complicated treatment needs.

8) Which patient populations are emphasized?

The emphasis is on people living with HIV who require more advanced clinical management, including those needing second-line and third-line antiretroviral therapy, as well as patients managing HIV and tuberculosis together (HIV/TB co-infection).

9) Does this funding focus on expanding routine first-line HIV treatment?

No. The stated focus is not simply expanding access to routine first-line HIV treatment. It is focused on improving systems, clinical expertise, and service delivery structures for clinically complex HIV cases.

10) What kinds of clinical challenges is the program trying to address?

The program targets clinical and programmatic capacity to manage situations such as first-line treatment failure, drug resistance, significant side effects, co-morbidities, and the need for regimen changes that require specialized oversight.

11) What does the opportunity say about second-line and third-line ART?

It specifically highlights advanced HIV clinical management, including switching appropriately to second-line and third-line antiretroviral regimens and maintaining patients on effective therapy over time.

12) Why is HIV/TB co-infection highlighted as a central element?

HIV/TB co-treatment can involve drug-drug interactions, overlapping toxicities, adherence challenges, and complex timing decisions about when to start or modify antiretroviral therapy. The opportunity highlights integrated management of complicated HIV and HIV/TB cases as a key element of quality care.

13) What types of capacity strengthening are implied?

Based on the description, the work involves building clinical and programmatic capacity to diagnose and respond to treatment failure, make appropriate regimen switches, and strengthen service delivery structures so the health system can safely manage complicated cases.

14) How many awards are anticipated?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

15) What is the award ceiling?

The listing notes an award ceiling of 0. This typically indicates that a specific maximum dollar amount is not stated in the summary data and may be defined in related documentation, budgeting negotiations, or continuation award parameters.

16) When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on September 19, 2016.

17) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was November 17, 2016.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The description indicates that additional eligibility detail is expected in the full announcement and that eligibility may be limited to certain types of organizations or partners aligned with PEPFAR and CDC requirements (for example, specific local entities, current implementing partners, or organizations with demonstrated technical expertise in advanced HIV clinical care and health system strengthening).

19) What does "Others" eligibility likely mean in this context?

From the summary provided, it suggests eligibility is not simply open to all applicants and may depend on criteria defined in additional eligibility text in the full announcement, potentially favoring organizations with relevant technical expertise or an existing role as an implementing partner.

20) What makes this award different from a typical grant?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, CDC is expected to have substantial involvement in the work, such as collaboration and guidance, rather than operating as a fully hands-off funder.

21) What is the intended longer-term outcome?

The intent is to support durable, high-standard clinical services for the most clinically challenging HIV patients and reinforce sustainable, country-led HIV responses by strengthening technical capacity and clinical systems required for advanced HIV care.