Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 14 029
Apply for HRSA 14 029
- The Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Twinning Program Cooperative Agreement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.266 Health Systems Strengthening and HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS R.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 27, 2013 and posted on Aug 27, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 15, 2013. (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 $16,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligible organizations are U.S. based public and non profit private entities including schools and academic health science centers and including faith based and community based organizations. Applicants should have significant experience establishing effective twinning partnerships in health programs. Specifically, applicants must have demonstrated experience in establishing, developing and monitoring an official twinning relationship anywhere in the world and providing or facilitating technical assistance and support on issues related to the prevention and treatment of HIV, including capacity building of organizations, training for health systems strengthening, community outreach and social support programs. In addition, successful applicants will have substantial and demonstrated experience with twinning of programs and institutions in the United States with counterparts overseas. Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze data for program monitoring and evaluation.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Twinning Program Cooperative Agreement (HRSA-14-029) is a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding opportunity designed to strengthen HIV/AIDS-related health systems and workforce capacity in PEPFAR-supported countries by expanding and managing "twinning" partnerships. The program funds one awardee to serve as a central broker and manager for voluntary, peer-to-peer institutional partnerships that link organizations with similar missions so they can share expertise, build practical skills, and strengthen organizational systems in ways that support the PEPFAR Blueprint goal of working toward an AIDS-free generation. The work is expected to align with core PEPFAR principles, including making scientifically sound and cost-efficient investments, working closely with partner countries and civil society (including faith-based and community-based organizations), reducing stigma and discrimination while promoting gender equality, and continuously monitoring performance to improve outcomes and efficiency.
At its core, "twinning" is defined here as a formal collaboration (meaning a signed written agreement) between two or more similar institutions that is substantive and sustained over time, typically two to three years. The program has historically supported north-south partnerships (U.S.-based institutions paired with host country institutions) and is placing increasing emphasis on south-south and south-south-north models (in-country or regional institutions partnering with each other, sometimes with a U.S. collaborator) to accelerate country ownership. The awardee is expected to support the full partnership life cycle: identifying and matching partners, helping them design and implement work plans, providing ongoing facilitation and technical assistance, supporting "graduation" of partnerships with a focus on sustainability, capturing lessons learned, spreading proven innovations, and measuring quality, cost/efficiency, outcomes, and impact across a portfolio of partnerships. The Twinning Program is also meant to complement and not duplicate other PEPFAR human resources for health initiatives such as the Medical and Nursing Partnership Initiatives, the Global Health Service Partnership, the Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Program, and the Public Health Education Partnership Initiative.
The capacity-building scope is broad but practical, focusing on strengthening health systems through workforce development and institutional strengthening. Past and continuing partnership objectives include expanding the pool of trained providers, managers, and allied health staff; improving organizational structures and operational systems (such as financial management, human resources, communications, and monitoring and evaluation); enabling limited, targeted infrastructure enhancements like skills labs and e-learning centers; and leveraging private-sector engagement through volunteerism. The program historically managed over 40 active partnerships across multiple PEPFAR geographies, including nine African countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia) and the Caribbean region, with training and capacity development spanning disciplines such as nursing, clinical pharmacy, laboratory science, adult and pediatric emergency medicine, social work and para-social work, biomedical engineering, case management, palliative care, mass media and HIV prevention, and mid-level medical providers (for example, clinical associates/physician assistants). Applicants are expected to demonstrate they can manage the full set of existing partnerships and continue to build and oversee new ones in coordination with U.S. government country and regional PEPFAR teams through the COP/ROP planning process.
A major forward-looking requirement is the deliberate transition of program leadership to local ownership. Beyond managing partnerships, the awardee must identify one or more capable local organizations and build their systems and expertise so that, by the end of the cooperative agreement, these local entities can apply for U.S. government or other funding and independently broker, facilitate, manage, and provide technical assistance for twinning partnerships. This transition expectation is central to the program's sustainability strategy and reflects PEPFAR's emphasis on strengthening national HIV responses led and managed by local institutions. Examples of future partnership directions include strengthening management and advocacy capacity of professional associations, integrating community health worker cadres into national structures, institutionalizing cadres from other sectors like social workers into national HIV responses, and improving sub-national planning and management capacity among governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are treated as essential rather than optional. The awardee must ensure routine monitoring and evaluation is embedded in country and regional work plans, report on PEPFAR-wide indicators, and go beyond simple output counts (like number trained) to include outcome measures that demonstrate impact and sustainability, along with cost-effectiveness metrics. Evaluation is expected to be carried out in collaboration with U.S. government field teams and host governments using appropriate protocols, and the findings should feed directly into program improvement and the eventual transition of responsibilities to local organizations. The opportunity also notes an optional adjunct volunteer program component that can place short-term, highly qualified professionals (clinical, training, and M&E specialists among others) with host organizations to fill urgent technical and capacity-building gaps while reinforcing the program's cost-efficient, in-kind contribution model.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary cooperative agreement in the health category with one expected award. The total funding level listed is fixed at $16,000,000 (award floor and ceiling are both $16,000,000), with no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based public entities and nonprofit private entities, including 501(c)(3) organizations, schools and academic health science centers, and faith-based and community-based organizations, provided they can show significant experience establishing and monitoring formal twinning relationships and delivering or facilitating HIV-related technical assistance and capacity building. Applicants also need demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data for monitoring and evaluation. Key dates in the posted notice include a posted date of August 27, 2013 and a closing date of October 15, 2013, and the program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act and the 2008 Lantos-Hyde reauthorization law supporting U.S. global HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Twinning Program Cooperative Agreement (HRSA-14-029)
What is the Twinning Program Cooperative Agreement (HRSA-14-029)?
The Twinning Program Cooperative Agreement (HRSA-14-029) is a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding opportunity that supports HIV/AIDS-related health systems strengthening and workforce capacity building in PEPFAR-supported countries. It does this by expanding and managing voluntary, peer-to-peer institutional "twinning" partnerships.
What is the main goal of this program?
The program aims to strengthen health systems and workforce capacity in support of PEPFAR goals, including the PEPFAR Blueprint objective of working toward an AIDS-free generation. A central focus is building practical skills and strengthening organizational systems through sustained institutional partnerships.
How many awards will be made under this opportunity?
The notice indicates one expected award. One awardee will be funded to act as the central broker and manager of the twinning partnership portfolio.
What type of funding mechanism is this?
This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement in the health category.
What is the total funding amount?
The total funding level is fixed at $16,000,000. The award floor is $16,000,000 and the award ceiling is also $16,000,000.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based public entities and nonprofit private entities. Examples listed include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools and academic health science centers, and faith-based and community-based organizations, as long as they can demonstrate the required experience and capabilities described in the notice.
What experience must applicants demonstrate?
Applicants are expected to show significant experience establishing and monitoring formal twinning relationships and delivering or facilitating HIV-related technical assistance and capacity building. Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze data for monitoring and evaluation.
What does "twinning" mean in this program?
In this opportunity, "twinning" is defined as a formal collaboration between two or more similar institutions that is substantive and sustained over time. It requires a signed written agreement and typically lasts two to three years.
What kinds of twinning partnership models are emphasized?
The program has historically supported north-south partnerships (U.S.-based institutions paired with host country institutions). It also places increasing emphasis on south-south and south-south-north models (in-country or regional institutions partnering with each other, sometimes with a U.S. collaborator) to accelerate country ownership.
What is the awardee expected to do as the "central broker and manager"?
The awardee is expected to manage the full partnership life cycle across a portfolio of partnerships. This includes identifying and matching partners, helping partners design and implement work plans, providing ongoing facilitation and technical assistance, supporting partnership "graduation" with sustainability in mind, capturing lessons learned, spreading proven innovations, and measuring performance (including quality, outcomes, impact, and cost/efficiency).
What does "partnership graduation" mean in this context?
The notice describes "graduation" as a stage where partnerships are supported in ways that emphasize sustainability. The awardee is expected to help partnerships reach a point where gains are sustained and lessons can be carried forward.
How should the program align with PEPFAR principles?
The work is expected to align with core PEPFAR principles, including making scientifically sound and cost-efficient investments; working closely with partner countries and civil society (including faith-based and community-based organizations); reducing stigma and discrimination while promoting gender equality; and continuously monitoring performance to improve outcomes and efficiency.
What kinds of activities and capacity-building efforts are supported?
The scope is broad but intended to be practical. Examples include expanding the pool of trained providers, managers, and allied health staff; improving organizational structures and operational systems (such as financial management, human resources, communications, and monitoring and evaluation); enabling limited, targeted infrastructure enhancements (like skills labs and e-learning centers); and leveraging private-sector engagement through volunteerism.
Does the program support infrastructure or equipment purchases?
The opportunity mentions limited, targeted infrastructure enhancements as part of partnership objectives, with examples such as skills labs and e-learning centers. The description frames these as targeted and supportive of capacity building, not broad construction or large-scale infrastructure development.
What technical areas or disciplines have been included in prior or ongoing partnerships?
Training and capacity development have spanned disciplines such as nursing, clinical pharmacy, laboratory science, adult and pediatric emergency medicine, social work and para-social work, biomedical engineering, case management, palliative care, mass media and HIV prevention, and mid-level medical providers (for example, clinical associates/physician assistants).
Where has the program historically operated?
The program has historically managed over 40 active partnerships across multiple PEPFAR geographies, including nine African countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia) and the Caribbean region.
How does this program relate to other PEPFAR workforce initiatives?
The Twinning Program is intended to complement, not duplicate, other PEPFAR human resources for health initiatives. Examples named include the Medical and Nursing Partnership Initiatives, the Global Health Service Partnership, the Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Program, and the Public Health Education Partnership Initiative.
What is expected regarding coordination with U.S. government teams?
Applicants are expected to show they can manage the existing partnerships and continue building and overseeing new ones in coordination with U.S. government country and regional PEPFAR teams through the COP/ROP planning process.
What is the COP/ROP planning process in this context?
The opportunity notes that partnership planning and oversight should be coordinated with U.S. government country and regional PEPFAR teams through the COP/ROP planning process, which is referenced as the mechanism for coordinating country and regional planning within PEPFAR implementation.
What is the transition-to-local-ownership requirement?
A central forward-looking requirement is the deliberate transition of program leadership to local ownership. The awardee must identify one or more capable local organizations and build their systems and expertise so that, by the end of the cooperative agreement, these local entities can apply for U.S. government or other funding and independently broker, facilitate, manage, and provide technical assistance for twinning partnerships.
Why is local ownership emphasized?
The notice describes local ownership as central to sustainability and consistent with PEPFAR's emphasis on strengthening national HIV responses led and managed by local institutions.
What are examples of future partnership directions mentioned?
Examples include strengthening management and advocacy capacity of professional associations; integrating community health worker cadres into national structures; institutionalizing cadres from other sectors (like social workers) into national HIV responses; and improving sub-national planning and management capacity among governmental and non-governmental organizations.
What are the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) expectations?
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are treated as essential. The awardee must embed routine M&E in country and regional work plans, report on PEPFAR-wide indicators, and go beyond output counts (such as numbers trained) to include outcome measures that demonstrate impact and sustainability, along with cost-effectiveness metrics.
Who should evaluation be conducted with?
Evaluation is expected to be carried out in collaboration with U.S. government field teams and host governments, using appropriate protocols. Findings are expected to feed directly into program improvement and the transition of responsibilities to local organizations.
Is there a volunteer component?
The opportunity notes an optional adjunct volunteer program component. This component can place short-term, highly qualified professionals (including clinical, training, and M&E specialists) with host organizations to fill urgent technical and capacity-building gaps while reinforcing a cost-efficient, in-kind contribution model.
What are the key dates listed in the notice?
The posted date is August 27, 2013, and the closing date is October 15, 2013.
What legal authorities are cited for this program?
The opportunity is authorized under the Public Health Service Act and the 2008 Lantos-Hyde reauthorization law supporting U.S. global HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria efforts.
What is the expected duration of individual twinning partnerships?
Twinning partnerships are typically expected to be sustained over two to three years, according to the definition provided in the opportunity.
What is the expected approach to stigma, discrimination, and gender issues?
The work is expected to reduce stigma and discrimination while promoting gender equality, consistent with core PEPFAR principles referenced in the opportunity.
What kinds of performance measures does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes measuring quality, cost/efficiency, outcomes, and impact across a portfolio of partnerships, not only counting activities or outputs.
Does the awardee need to take over existing partnerships?
Yes. Applicants are expected to demonstrate they can manage the full set of existing partnerships and continue to build and oversee new ones, in coordination with relevant PEPFAR teams.
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