“Strengthening Local Ownership for the Sustainable Provision of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Services by the Health Bureaus of Amhara and Tigray Regional States of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under the President’s Emergency Plan for AID | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a continuation cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Center for Global Health. It supports ongoing work to sustain and deepen comprehensive HIV/AIDS services in Ethiopia under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

What is the main purpose of the award?

The stated purpose is to strengthen local ownership of HIV/AIDS programming. In practical terms, the emphasis is on building the capacity and leadership of the Amhara and Tigray Regional Health Bureaus so they can plan, manage, and deliver HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in a durable way that becomes less dependent on external implementers over time.

What does "local ownership" mean in this opportunity?

Local ownership in this context signals a transition-oriented approach where regional health authorities increasingly take responsibility for program direction, day-to-day operations, and long-term sustainability of HIV service delivery. It points toward strengthening leadership, management systems, planning and budgeting capacity, and routine use of data for decision-making within the Regional Health Bureaus.

Which CDC organization is sponsoring this opportunity?

The opportunity is sponsored by HHS-CDC, Center for Global Health.

What is the funding mechanism, and why does it matter?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial involvement by CDC in implementation and oversight compared to a standard grant. Recipients are generally expected to work closely with CDC on technical guidance, performance monitoring, and alignment with PEPFAR priorities.

How is a continuation opportunity different from an open competition?

Because it is labeled as a continuation opportunity, it is not structured like an open, highly competitive solicitation for brand-new applicants. Instead, it is designed to extend or continue an existing project or partnership already underway, maintaining momentum and continuity of HIV/AIDS service support in the targeted regions.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is CDC RFA GH13 131104CONT16.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 2, 2016.

What is the application deadline?

The application closing date is April 5, 2016. The listing indicates the original and current closing dates match, suggesting no extension was posted.

How many awards does CDC expect to make?

The expected number of awards is one, which reinforces that this continuation action is intended for a specific ongoing recipient or a single implementing arrangement rather than multiple parallel awards.

Where will the work take place?

The opportunity is centered on Ethiopia, specifically the Amhara and Tigray regional states, with an explicit emphasis on the Amhara and Tigray Regional Health Bureaus as core institutions for service provision and system stewardship.

What program area or activity category does this opportunity fall under?

The activity category is health, and the focus is HIV/AIDS services under PEPFAR.

What is the CFDA number and what does it correspond to?

The CFDA number is 93.067, which corresponds to CDC's HIV-related assistance programming.

What types of HIV/AIDS services are implied by "comprehensive HIV/AIDS services" in this listing?

While the excerpt does not enumerate specific interventions, "comprehensive HIV/AIDS services" under PEPFAR commonly encompasses a broad package that can include HIV testing services, linkage to care, antiretroviral treatment support, retention and viral suppression activities, prevention interventions (including prevention of mother-to-child transmission), laboratory and supply chain strengthening, strategic information and surveillance, quality improvement, and workforce development.

Does the opportunity require a transition or sustainability approach?

Yes. The local ownership framing suggests the work likely prioritizes stronger management systems, leadership, planning and budgeting capacity, data use for decision-making, and integration of HIV services into routine health systems so the regions can sustain results over time.

What does the award ceiling of "0" mean here?

The award ceiling is shown as 0 in the listing, which often reflects that a fixed ceiling was not published in the public synopsis or that the amount is determined through internal continuation budgeting rather than a publicly competed maximum. It should not be read as implying no funding, but rather that the ceiling was not specified in that field.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "Others" with a note to consult additional eligibility text (not included in the provided excerpt). In continuation announcements, this wording often indicates eligibility is restricted or defined elsewhere, and may limit applicants to an existing awardee or a narrow set of entities involved in the current project.

Is this opportunity likely open to brand-new applicants?

Based on the continuation format and the expectation of a single award, it appears primarily intended to continue an existing project or recipient arrangement rather than bring in entirely new applicants, though the definitive eligibility rules would be in the additional eligibility text referenced by the listing.

What is CDC's role during implementation?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, CDC is generally expected to have substantial involvement, such as providing technical guidance, participating in performance monitoring, and ensuring strategic alignment with PEPFAR priorities.

What institutions are emphasized as the core leaders of the work?

The opportunity emphasizes the Amhara and Tigray Regional Health Bureaus as the core institutions for service provision and system stewardship, consistent with the goal of increasing local ownership and accountability.