Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA GH15 1534
Apply for CDC RFA GH15 1534
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) to Develop Regional Standards and Provide Accreditation and Quality Management Services to National Blood Services in Africa under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.067 Global AIDS.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 23, 2014 and posted on Sep 23, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 13, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- The Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) was launched approximately 10 years ago to address this challenge through the development and implementation of a step wise accreditation service based on internationally accepted quality standards that have been adapted to reflect current operational environments commonly found in Africa. The purpose of this FOA is to support the AfSBT, the only African standards and accrediting body, to develop, expand, and implement its Africa wide accreditation program, and to build the organizations capacity to deliver other training and quality management services to member countries in Africa. AfSBT is the only organization globally that has been approved by Africa member states to operate an accreditation system specifically for African blood transfusion services. No other organization maintains Africa specific standards for blood transfusion services or offers training, pre accreditation assessments, and formal accreditation assessments based on those standards. African countries currently rely on US or European based accreditation services to validate their domestic quality management systems. However, these non Africa based services are typically designed for blood services in industrialized, high income, countries. As such, African blood services, especially those in resource limited settings, face substantial challenges in obtaining accreditation. During the last decade, AfSBT has benefited from substantial volunteer contributions from technical experts in several African countries, and counts most countries in the WHO AFRO region (as well as several countries in the WHO EMRO region) as dues paying members. But a volunteer based Secretariat has proved unsustainable and inefficient. As the only standards based organization supporting blood services in Africa, AfSBT is uniquely positioned to benefit from CDC and PEPFAR support to strengthen indigenous capacity to provide accreditation to its members. CDCs Division of Global HIV/AIDS, the primary implementing agency for PEPFARs blood safety initiative, recognizes AfSBT as a powerful example of the kind of indigenous technical organization PEPFAR seeks to support as part of its long term transition and sustainability strategies. In addition, accreditation is a core objective of the PEPFAR quality strategy. Unlike North America, Europe, and other developed regions of the world, the African continent lacks a diversity of capacity and organizations capable of implementing the standards based accreditation project proposed by AfSBT. Indeed, AfSBT is the only organization of its kind in Africa dedicated to a regional approach to quality and blood service accreditation. AfSBT also has a history of collaboration with CDC via work by several CDC partner governments to attain AfSBT accreditation. The FOA associated with this SEJ seeks to expand on that collaboration to build a sustainable organizational structure from which AfSBT may continue to offer its Africa specific accreditation services to partner countries. AfSBT is a registered not for gain (non profit) organization based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Societys officers are selected from member states across Africa. This is the first time CDC seeks to provide direct funding to AfSBT.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This CDC cooperative agreement opportunity (CDC RFA GH15-1534) is a PEPFAR-aligned grant focused on strengthening the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) so it can function as a durable regional center of excellence for blood safety and quality in Africa. The core intent is to expand and institutionalize AfSBTs standards-based, Africa-specific accreditation program for blood transfusion services, while also building AfSBTs capacity to deliver broader quality management and training services to national blood services across the continent. The funding is framed as part of CDC and PEPFARs longer-term sustainability and transition strategy, emphasizing a shift from bilateral, externally driven technical support toward locally rooted organizations that can provide ongoing services with increasingly diverse and, where feasible, local sources of support.
A central rationale behind the opportunity is that many African blood services have historically had to look to US or European accreditation systems to validate their quality management systems, but those accreditation models are often designed for high-income settings and can be difficult to achieve in low-resource operational environments. AfSBT was created roughly a decade prior to this announcement to close that gap by developing and applying internationally recognized quality concepts in a way that is realistic for African contexts. AfSBT is described as the only African standards and accrediting body approved by African member states to run an accreditation system specifically for African blood transfusion services, and as the only entity maintaining Africa-specific standards coupled with the full package of accreditation supports such as training, pre-accreditation assessments, and formal accreditation assessments.
The work proposed under the FOA is expressed through SMART objectives that define what success should look like over a five-year project period. Specifically, AfSBT is expected to develop and implement an Africa-wide accreditation system for blood transfusion services, built on a stepwise model. Progress is intended to be measurable by a growing number of blood services moving through and achieving accreditation via a three-step process. The approach is meant to be appropriate and fit-for-purpose by aligning with internationally accepted standards while being tailored to real-world constraints commonly faced by blood services in low-resource African countries. The plan is presented as realistic because AfSBT already has around 10 years of experience and a strong base of volunteer technical experts across multiple countries, and the grant aims to convert that largely volunteer-driven capacity into a more sustainable and efficient permanent Secretariat and organizational structure. The objectives are time-bound to the five-year performance window and explicitly tied to PEPFARs quality strategy, where accreditation is treated as a core component.
Another major theme of the announcement is organizational strengthening and sustainability. While AfSBT has benefited from substantial volunteer engagement and has broad membership across most countries in the WHO AFRO region (and some in WHO EMRO), the FOA notes that relying on a volunteer-based Secretariat has been inefficient and unsustainable. CDC, through its Division of Global HIV/AIDS (the main implementing arm for PEPFARs blood safety work), positions AfSBT as an example of the kind of indigenous technical institution PEPFAR wants to elevate so that African countries can access regionally governed, context-appropriate accreditation and quality services without depending on non-African systems that may not match local realities. The opportunity also builds on prior collaboration between AfSBT and CDC-supported partner governments that have pursued AfSBT accreditation, with the new emphasis being direct investment to strengthen AfSBTs capacity to deliver these services at scale.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial programmatic involvement by the funding agency during implementation. The activity category is health, and the CFDA listing is 93.067 (Global AIDS). The announcement anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1), with an award ceiling of USD 500,000, no stated cost-sharing or matching requirement, and an estimated total funding amount listed as 0 in the source data (often a placeholder in postings even when a ceiling is provided). The opportunity was posted September 23, 2014, closed November 13, 2014, and archived December 13, 2014. Eligibility, as presented, is effectively targeted to AfSBT itself, reflecting that this FOA was structured to directly fund AfSBT for this specific regional role. AfSBT is described as a registered non-profit based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with officers selected from member states across Africa, and the FOA highlights that this represented the first time CDC sought to provide direct funding to AfSBT.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is CDC RFA GH15-1534?
CDC RFA GH15-1534 is a CDC discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity aligned with PEPFAR. It focuses on strengthening the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) so AfSBT can function as a durable regional center of excellence for blood safety and quality in Africa.
What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The core purpose is to expand and institutionalize AfSBT's standards-based, Africa-specific accreditation program for blood transfusion services, while also building AfSBT's capacity to deliver broader quality management and training services to national blood services across Africa.
How does this opportunity relate to PEPFAR?
The opportunity is described as PEPFAR-aligned and tied to PEPFAR's quality strategy, where accreditation is treated as a core component. It is also framed as part of CDC and PEPFAR's longer-term sustainability and transition strategy.
Why is an Africa-specific accreditation program emphasized?
The FOA explains that many African blood services have historically relied on US or European accreditation systems, which are often designed for high-income settings and can be difficult to achieve in low-resource operational environments. AfSBT was created to apply internationally recognized quality concepts in a way that is realistic for African contexts.
Who is AfSBT in this funding opportunity?
AfSBT is described as a registered non-profit based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with officers selected from member states across Africa. The FOA presents AfSBT as the only African standards and accrediting body approved by African member states to run an accreditation system specifically for African blood transfusion services, and as the only entity maintaining Africa-specific standards together with the full package of accreditation supports.
What kinds of support are included in AfSBT's accreditation "package"?
As described in the FOA, AfSBT's accreditation supports include training, pre-accreditation assessments, and formal accreditation assessments, paired with Africa-specific standards.
What outcomes or objectives does the FOA expect over the project period?
The work is expressed through SMART objectives over a five-year project period. AfSBT is expected to develop and implement an Africa-wide accreditation system for blood transfusion services using a stepwise model, with progress measured by a growing number of blood services moving through and achieving accreditation.
What is the accreditation model described in the announcement?
The FOA describes a stepwise accreditation approach with a three-step process. The intent is to create an approach that aligns with internationally accepted standards while being tailored to constraints commonly faced by blood services in low-resource African countries.
How does the FOA define "success" for the accreditation work?
Success is tied to measurable progress over five years, specifically the increasing number of blood services advancing through the stepwise model and achieving accreditation via the three-step process.
What is the organizational strengthening component of the opportunity?
A major theme is strengthening AfSBT's organizational capacity and sustainability. The FOA notes that AfSBT has relied heavily on volunteer engagement and that a volunteer-based Secretariat has been inefficient and unsustainable. The grant aims to help convert largely volunteer-driven capacity into a more sustainable and efficient permanent Secretariat and organizational structure.
How does this funding fit into CDC/PEPFAR's sustainability and transition strategy?
The opportunity emphasizes a shift from bilateral, externally driven technical support toward locally rooted organizations that can provide ongoing services. AfSBT is positioned as an indigenous technical institution that can help African countries access regionally governed, context-appropriate accreditation and quality services without relying on non-African systems that may not match local realities.
Which CDC entity is associated with this work?
The announcement identifies CDC's Division of Global HIV/AIDS as the main implementing arm for PEPFAR's blood safety work and as the CDC component positioning AfSBT within this strategy.
What is the award mechanism and what does it imply?
The mechanism is a cooperative agreement. The FOA notes that cooperative agreements typically imply substantial programmatic involvement by the funding agency during implementation.
What is the activity category and CFDA number listed?
The activity category is health, and the CFDA listing is 93.067 (Global AIDS).
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling listed in the FOA is USD 500,000.
Was cost-sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
Why does the source data show an estimated total funding amount of 0?
The source data lists an estimated total funding amount as 0, which is noted as often being a placeholder in postings even when an award ceiling is provided.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on September 23, 2014, and it closed on November 13, 2014. It was archived on December 13, 2014.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is presented as effectively targeted to AfSBT itself, reflecting that the FOA was structured to directly fund AfSBT for this specific regional role.
Why was the FOA targeted to AfSBT rather than open to multiple applicants?
The information provided indicates the FOA was structured to directly fund AfSBT for a specific regional role as the Africa-specific standards and accrediting body, and it anticipated a single award.
Was this the first time CDC sought to provide direct funding to AfSBT?
Yes. The FOA highlights that this represented the first time CDC sought to provide direct funding to AfSBT.
How does the FOA describe AfSBT's geographic reach and membership?
AfSBT is described as having broad membership across most countries in the WHO AFRO region, and some in WHO EMRO.
What prior work does the FOA say AfSBT had already done?
The FOA describes AfSBT as having around 10 years of experience and a strong base of volunteer technical experts across multiple countries. It also references prior collaboration between AfSBT and CDC-supported partner governments that have pursued AfSBT accreditation.
What is the overarching goal for blood services in Africa under this FOA?
The overarching goal is to strengthen blood safety and quality by scaling a context-appropriate, Africa-wide accreditation system and building AfSBT's capacity to provide accreditation, quality management, and training services to national blood services across the continent.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Major Research Instrumentation Program
Previous opportunity: Community Based Conservation Recreation Planning Fellowships
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for CDC RFA GH15 1534
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (CDC RFA GH15 1534) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Building Capacity for a Sustainable, Country led Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Guyana A Technical Assistance Support Model to the Guyana Ministry of Health (MOH) under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH15 1525 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH15 1525 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,450,000 |
| Strengthening Guyanas Regional Support Network through Partnership with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Apply for CDC RFA GH15 1526 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH15 1526 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,080,000 |
| Enhancing Coordination, Integration, and Dissemination of Evidence to Combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in the Republic of Zambia under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH15 1602 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH15 1602 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,250,000 |
| Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (Short Title PBHCI) Apply for SM 15 005 Funding Number: SM 15 005 Agency: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Adminis. Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Concept Paper for Improving Supply Chain Management Systems Project (ISCMS) Apply for RFA OAA 15 000002 Funding Number: RFA OAA 15 000002 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Health Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| FY15 Announcement of Availability of Funds for Embryo Donation and/or Adoption Grant Projects Apply for PA EAA 15 001 Funding Number: PA EAA 15 001 Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program Apply for HRSA 15 123 Funding Number: HRSA 15 123 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Research Health and Function of Individuals with Disabilities CFDA Number 84.133A 3 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Development Health and Function of Individuals with Disabilities CFDA Number 84.133A 8 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 003 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Research Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Disabilities CFDA Number 84.133A 4 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 002 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Development Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Disabilities CFDA Number 84.133A 9 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 004 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 004 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Individual Mobility and Manipulation CFDA Number 84.133E 1 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 005 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 005 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $925,000 |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Information and Communication Technologies Access CFDA Number 84.133E 3 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $925,000 |
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Physical Access and Transportation CFDA Number 84.133E 5 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 007 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 007 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $925,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Field Initiated Program (Research) CFDA Number 84.133G 4 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031015 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031015 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Community Living and Participation CFDA Number 84.133P 1 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031115 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031115 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Employment CFDA Number 84.133P 3 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031115 002 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031115 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Health and Function CFDA Number 84.133P 4 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031115 003 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031115 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I CFDA Number 84.133S 1 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031315 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031315 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program CFDA Number 84.133P 5 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031615 002 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031615 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "CDC RFA GH15 1534", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.