Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due 07/11/2026

HIV/AIDS Bureau

Nutrition Interventions to Reduce Chronic Disease and Improve HIV Outcomes for People with HIV: Implementation Technical Assistance Provider

HRSA-26-111

Table of Contents Before You Begin

Step 1: Review the Opportunity

Basic information

Funding details

Eligibility

Program description

Award information

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Get registered

Find the application package

Application writing help

Step 3: Build Your Application

Application checklist

Application contents and format

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review

Selection process

Award notices

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Application submission and deadlines

Other submissions

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award

Post-award requirements and administration

Reporting

Contacts and Support

Agency contacts

Help with systems

Before You Begin Health Resources and Services Administration

HIV/AIDS Bureau

Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs

Nutrition Interventions to Reduce Chronic Disease and Improve HIV Outcomes for People with HIV: Implementation Technical Assistance Provider

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate: racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety. If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity

Basic information Tagline: Reduce the burden of cardiometabolic disease among people with HIV by improving the delivery of nutrition services

Summary The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides a comprehensive system of HIV care that improves health outcomes and supports HIV viral suppression. This project will improve the delivery of nutrition servicesfor people with HIV who are eligible for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program by using implementation science to replicate, adapt, sustain, and evaluate effective nutrition service programs related to medical nutrition therapy, food bank/home delivered meals, and other applicable service categories to reduce the burden of metabolic chronic disease among people with HIV.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Nutrition Interventions to Reduce Chronic Disease and Improve HIV Outcomes for People with HIV: Implementation Technical Assistance Provider Opportunity number:

Announcement version:

initial

Federal assistance listing:

93.899

Key dates

NOFO issue date:

06/09/2026

Informational webinar:

Join the webinar

Application deadline:

07/11/2026

Expected award date is by:

09/01/2026

Expected start date:

09/01/2026

See other submissions for other time frames that may apply to this NOFO.

Funding details Application Types:

New Expected total available funding in FY:

2026: $2,500,000

Expected number and type of awards:

1 CA (Cooperative Agreement)

Funding range per award:

amount varies.

Funding range per award: $2,500,000 (Year 1), $3,000,000 (Year 2), $3,000,000 (Year 3), $2,500,000 (Year 4)

The program and awards depend on the approval of funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Minority HIV/AIDS Fund (MHAF) and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of the award.

We plan to fund awards in four 12-month budget periods for a total 4- year period of performance from 09/01/2026 to 08/31/2030.

Eligibility You can apply if you are eligible for funding under Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A – D of Title XXVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act.

* “Domestic” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic organizations may apply:

State governments

County governments

City or township governments

Special district governments

Independent school districts

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Private institutions of higher education

Additional information on eligibility

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these basic requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

Application limits You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to share in the costs of the project, we will not consider it during merit review. Recipients agree that once committed, cost sharing amounts are enforceable and subject to reporting and auditing requirements under 2 CFR 200.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Program description

Purpose The purpose of this project is to identify and implement nutrition interventions for people with HIV receiving services in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has a long history of providing nutrition services through the medical nutrition therapy and food bank/home delivered meals service categories. However, the nutritional needs among people with HIV have shifted as some dynamics of the epidemic have evolved. Modern antiretroviral therapies (ART) have a significantly lower risk of lipodystrophy and dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism and ART is typically started significantly earlier in infection, reducing the risk of wasting and malabsorption. However, other aspects of the metabolic dysfunction associated with HIV infection persists despite viral suppression, resulting in a higher incidence and prevalence of obesity, visceral adiposity, and the cardiovascular and endocrinologic complications among individuals with HIV. Modern nutrition services provided through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program therefore need to address current nutrition challenges. Organizations serving people with HIV need examples of practical and useful strategies to help them assess, monitor and improve the nutritional status and metabolic health of people with HIV . The recipient will develop the resources by selecting and funding a network of demonstration sites to adapt and implement effective interventions and evaluating the outcomes of the interventions. In real-time, the recipient will disseminate resources and learnings from the initiative with Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funded organizations.

Initiative Overview The Minority HIV/AIDS Fund (MHAF) initiative will use implementation science to support the identification and implementation of nutrition interventions for people with HIV, with a particular focus on people with or at risk of comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome.

The recipient will identify nutrition interventions that can be implemented and sustained across the demonstration sites and is in alignment with the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service categories described in Policy Clarification Notice 16-02: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Services: Eligible Individuals & Allowable Uses of Funds.

The recipient will select and fund a network of 10 demonstration sites that will each select an intervention to implement. Implementation strategies and materials developed by the recipient will be informed by information collected from members of various communities on approaches to prioritizing food choices, their perceptions of various aspects of nutrition interventions, their current food and nutrition status and the nutrition barriers that they are currently encountering.

https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/service-category-pcn-16-02-final.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/service-category-pcn-16-02-final.pdf

The recipient will provide direct implementation technical assistance to assist demonstration sites with establishing and initiating the intervention and adapting implementation strategies when appropriate.

The recipient will conduct an evaluation using an implementation science framework to assess the effectiveness of the adapted and replicated interventions.

This initiative will help Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients and subrecipients identify patient centered, effective nutrition intervention implementation strategies that reduce the burden of chronic disease and are sustainable through use of funded service categories across a variety of geographic, community, and clinical settings.

The initiative will provide a framework for conducting evidence-based and evidence-informed nutritional assessments of people with HIV. Replicating, adapting, and sustaining effective nutrition service programs that address the breadth of nutritional needs among people with HIV is essential to improving the health outcomes of people with HIV.

This initiative aligns with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities of incorporating holistic approaches and emphasizing the importance of preventive measures, such as nutrition, to promote health and wellness and reduce the incidence of preventable chronic disease. As people with HIV live longer, preventing other chronic diseases related to obesity, excess visceral fat, and cardiovascular health through improved nutrition interventions is critical for reducing long-term healthcare costs and improve overall wellness.

Funding Opportunity Goals

• Reduce the new HIV infections in the U.S. by focusing on HIV care and treatment strategies so that people with HIV reach viral suppression and therefore do not sexually transmit HIV.

• Reach people with HIV who are out of care by leveraging partnerships, focusing interventions, and engaging communities.

Background

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) has five statutorily defined Parts that provide grants to states, cities, counties, local clinics, and community-based organizations. The grants fund medical care, medication, and essential support services, to meet the needs of people with HIV and family members affected by HIV. Together these grants provide a comprehensive system of care to ensure low-income people with HIV have access to services for early diagnosis of HIV, linkage to care, medically appropriate treatment, retention in care, and sustained viral suppression (a very low or undetectable amount of HIV in the blood).

For nearly four decades, the RWHAP has funded services to provide HIV primary health care, medication, and essential support services, including mental health care, transportation, case management, nutrition, and housing. These services support clients to enter and remain in care, access medications, and reach viral suppression, reducing transmission and lowering health care costs.

Ending the HIV Epidemic Launched in 2020, the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative further expands federal efforts to reduce HIV transmission. For the RWHAP, the EHE initiative expands the program’s ability to meet the needs of clients, specifically focusing on linking people with HIV who are either newly diagnosed, diagnosed but currently not in care, or are diagnosed and in care but not yet virally suppressed, to the essential HIV care, treatment, and support services needed to help them reach viral suppression.

Making America Healthy Again The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program helps advance the Making America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities by:

• Expanding access to primary care for people with HIV, particularly those with low incomes, and by strengthening the health workforce.

• Fighting the chronic disease epidemic by providing HIV medical care, treatment, and support services to people with HIV.

• Supporting improved nutrition by providing patient-centered focused medical nutrition therapy and food services.

• Supporting disease prevention through HIV care and treatment services that help people reach viral suppression so they live longer, healthier lives and do not transmit

HIV.

Key accomplishments

• Nearly 602,000 people with HIV in the U.S. received life-saving care, medication, and essential support services through the RWHAP, representing over half of all diagnosed with HIV in the U.S. This is an increase of nearly 26,000 clients.

• More than 91% of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program patients receiving HIV medical care were virally suppressed in 2024. This is up from 69.5% of patients virally suppressed in 2010 and significantly higher than the 67.2% virally suppressed nationally among all people with diagnosed HIV.

• More than 47% of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients are aged 50 years and older, demonstrating the program’s success in supporting older clients and its commitment to addressing the unique needs of people aging with HIV.

Program requirements and expectations The recipient is the leader of this initiative and should continuously collaborate with the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau to achieve the goals of this initiative. The recipient of this funding opportunity will serve as the training and technical assistance provider and fulfill the following responsibilities:

1. Identify and select evidence-based and/or evidence-informed interventions to assess, identify, characterize and address: adipose tissue distribution, cardiometabolic disease risk and access to appropriate nutrition to prevent chronic disease.

2. Create a network of 10 demonstration sites and use implementation science principles to replicate, adapt, and sustain effective nutrition service interventions across a variety of https://www.hhs.gov/maha/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/maha/index.html geographic, healthcare system and community-based settings via the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service categories.

3. Ensure that the interventions implemented do not support activities that duplicate other federal (e.g. SNAP) or community services but instead facilitate coordination across programs.

4. Secure appropriate IRB approval and identify personnel and resources to assist with securing demonstration site level IRB approval if needed.

5. Engage communities of interest by collecting information on food choice priorities and values.

6. Establish an evaluation strategy using an implementation science framework that identifies, creates and validates relevant metrics and tools to evaluate the costs and effectiveness of the interventions using some of the following outcome categories:

o Food uptake o HIV clinical outcomes o Cardiometabolic health outcomes o Mental health outcomes o Healthcare utilization

7. Rapidly integrate data and insights into the development and dissemination of implementation materials to promote the adaptation, integration, and sustainability of the interventions in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funded organizations.

Key Personnel Relevant professional expertise should be incorporated into eligibility criteria.

Statutory authority Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, Pub. L. 119-75, Division B, Title II;

Award information

Cooperative agreement terms Our responsibilities Aside from monitoring and technical assistance, we also get involved in these ways:

• Provide relevant project information and resources, including connecting recipient with TA resource centers

• On an ongoing basis, review activities, procedures, measures and tools to accomplish the goals and objectives of this initiative

• Review and participate in disseminating project activities, products, findings, best practices, evaluation data, and other information developed as part of this project to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients and providers as well as the broader health community

• Coauthor and publish materials describing project design, implementation outcomes, and other topics

Your responsibilities You must follow all relevant laws and policies. Your other responsibilities will include:

• Participate in the biennial National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Clinical Conference if invited

• Compliance with grant requirements, including terms and conditions of this award

• Share data updates, evaluation tools and other information about the program with HRSA

HAB throughout the period of performance

• Follow HRSA clearance and approval requirements for all dissemination materials (i.e.

manuscripts/papers, concept proposals, conference materials, technical assistance resources, toolkits and other conference abstracts, posters, publicly accessible multimedia

• Provide HRSA HAB with a complete, updated and accessible copy of all federally supported materials, including online content, prepared under this cooperative agreement

• Help HRSA share information upon request

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS has adopted 2 CFR Part 200, with some modifications included in 2 CFR Part 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR Part 75.

Policies

• To make an award, funding must be available and allocated for this program and purpose, at which point we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Have clear policies and good financial practices to avoid spending HRSA funds on unallowable activities. Like other award rules, we may audit your policies, procedures, and controls.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

o Appropriation of funds.

o Your satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives.

o A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we may:

o Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

o Extend the period of performance.

o Award supplemental funding.

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see o Project Budget Information in the Application Guide.

o 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

o Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities in the HHS Grants Policy

Statement.

• All costs must be reasonable, necessary, allocable to the award, and adequately documented (2 CFR 200.403).

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 2 CFR § 200.400(g).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.404 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.405 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.400(g)

• Current appropriations law includes a salary limit of $228,000 as of January 2026 that applies to this program. You may pay salaries at a higher rate if the rate beyond the salary rate limit (Executive Level II) is paid with non-HHS funds.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project that cannot be easily separated by project. For example, this could include utilities for a building that supports multiple projects.

To incur indirect costs, you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 – Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency at the time of award.

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR § 200.414(f), if you do not have a current negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate is up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 2 CFR § 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely for all your federal awards or until you choose to receive a negotiated rate.

Consider your indirect costs when developing your budget.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we may:

o Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

o Extend the period of performance.

o Award supplemental funding.

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Get registered

SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

If you need additional information about user roles in SAM.gov, see “Get registered: SAM.gov user roles” in the Application Guide.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants and How to Apply for Grants.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HRSA-26-111.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you click the Subscribe button to get updates.

Application writing help Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more guidance.

See Apply for a Grant for other help and resources.

FAQs will be posted on our TA webpage after the webinar.

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, join the webinar. More information on the HRSA- 26-111 webinar will be posted at a later date to the documents tab in Grants.gov.

We recommend that you “Subscribe” to the NOFO on Grants.gov to receive updates when we post documents.

We will record the webinar.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Step 3: Build Your Application

Application checklist There are two types of forms in Grants.gov.

• Some forms allow you to upload components of your application to the form. These include components like your project narrative, budget and budget narrative, and attachments, as applicable.

• Other forms are more typical, fill-in-the-blank forms.

Make sure that you have everything you need to apply.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=4 https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/search-grants https://www.grants.gov/search-grants https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/get-ready-for-grants-management/tips-for-preparing-grant-proposals/index.html https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant

Narratives

Component Grants.gov form Included in page limit*?

◻ Project narrative

Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Project Narrative Attachment form. Yes

◻ Budget narrative

Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form.

Budget Narrative Attachment form. Yes

Attachments Insert each in the Attachments Form in this order.

Component Included in page limit*?

◻ 1. Work plan Yes ◻ 2. Staffing plan and job descriptions Yes ◻ 3. Biographical sketches No ◻ 4. Agreements with other entities Yes ◻ 5. Project organizational chart Yes ◻ 6. Tables and charts Yes ◻ 7. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 8. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 9. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 10. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 11. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 12. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 13. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 14. Other relevant document Yes ◻ 15. Other relevant document Yes

Other required forms Upload using each required form in Grants.gov.

Forms Submission requirement Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With application.

Project Abstract Summary Form With application.

Grants.gov Lobbying Form With application.

Forms Submission requirement Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), optional With application.

Project/Performance Site Location(s) With application.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) With application.

Key Contacts With application.

*Only what you attach in these forms counts toward the page limit. The forms themselves do not count.

Application contents and format This section includes guidance on each component found in the application checklist.

Application page limit: 40

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using U.S. dollars.

Required format Required format for project summary, project narrative, budget narrative, and attachments.

Font: A readable font like Arial, Courier, CG Times, or Times New Roman

File format: We only accept the following document formats:

• .PDF - Adobe Portable Document Format

• .DOC/.DOCX - Microsoft Word

• .RTF - Rich Text Format o .TXT - Text

• .WPD - Word Perfect Document

• .XLS/.XLSX - Microsoft Excel

• .VSD - Microsoft Visio

Size: 12-point font Footnotes, charts, graphics, and budget tables may be 10-point or higher.

Ink color: Black

Spacing: Single-spaced, including all text and tables

Alignment: Left

Headings: Bold all headings and align left.

Size: 8.5 x 11 (Make sure the print area is set and allows printing to 8.5 x 11.)

Margins: 1-inch on all sides

Footer: On each page as the footer, include your organization’s name and page numbers. If a competing continuation or competing supplement, also include your 10-digit award number.

Page numbering:

• Do not number the standard OMB-approved forms.

• Number each attachment page sequentially (that is, 1, 2, 3).

• Reset the numbering for each attachment.

• Treat each attachment as a separate section.

File names: You can find guidance for naming your files in the Application Guide.

Project narrative Introduction See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Briefly describe the purpose of your project.

• Clearly and succinctly describe your ability to successfully meet and carry out program requirements and expectations.

• Briefly describe your plan for meeting the objectives of this initiative.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Provide a summary that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the unique epidemiology of visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic diseases among people with HIV.

• Discuss the client-level, organization-level and/or system level barriers to wide scale implementation of interventions to improve the nutritional health of people with HIV.

• Discuss the challenges associated with implementing, evaluating and replicating nutrition service interventions within this project.

• Use and cite demographic data whenever possible.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Tell us how you’ll address the needs you described and meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• Discuss how you plan to select and issue subawards to 10 demonstration sites. Describe the selection process and criteria you propose to use to ensure that a variety of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipient site types are represented.

• Describe how you will ensure representation of different geographic areas and site types.

• Describe how you will provide ongoing technical assistance to the selected demonstration sites on implementing the selected interventions.

• Discuss the technical assistance methods you will use to meet the needs of the demonstration sites.

• Include examples of TA needs that might occur and how you will address them.

• Propose a plan to create and disseminate user-friendly multimedia materials that will help other RWHAP recipients replicate effective interventions.

• Propose a plan for demonstration sites to continue the project when federal funding ends.

High-level work plan See merit review criteria 2: Response and 4: Impact

• Provide a detailed workplan in your attachments with the following information:

Goals for the entire proposed four-year period of performance https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=26

Objectives that are specific, time-framed, and measurable (Year 1 only).

Action steps to achieve the stated objectives (Year 1 only).

Staff responsible for each action step, including any consultants.

Anticipated start and completion dates.

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

Discuss possible challenges you may face in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Explain how you’ll resolve them.

Performance management See merit review criteria 3: Performance reporting and evaluation and 5: Resources and capabilities

• Outcomes. Describe the expected outcomes (desired results) of the funded activities.

• Performance measurement and reporting. See our reporting manual for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms.

o Describe the steps to develop data plan including collection, management, analysis, and reporting plan.

o Describe the data you will collect, collection methods, frequency of data collection, analyzing, monitoring, reporting required data accurately and on time and continually improve your program.

o Describe how you will manage and securely store data, including how you will protect data against cybersecurity threats, breaches, or other loss of data integrity.

• Describe how you will involve and support the demonstration sites in the development and implementation of the data plan.

• Program evaluation. Describe how you will evaluate your project. The evaluation should examine processes and progress towards implementation, goals, program objectives, and expected outcomes. Evaluations must follow the HHS Evaluation Policy, as well as the standards and best practices described in OMB Memorandum M-20-12. In the description of your evaluation, include:

o The evaluation questions, methods, data you will collect, and timeline for evaluating the program.

o Using an implementation science framework to guide the evaluation plan, activities, and outputs.

o Involvement of the demonstration sites in developing and implementing the evaluation.

o Process to adjust and improve the initiative in real-time based on evaluation data.

o Challenges in evaluating the initiative and how you will address the challenges.

See the reporting section for more information.

See the reporting section for more information.

Sustainability See merit review criterion 4: Impact https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/department-health-human-services-evaluation-policy https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/M-20-12.pdf

We expect you to sustain key project elements that improve practices and outcomes for the target population. Propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends.

• Discuss how you will work with the demonstration sites to sustain key elements of the intervention.

• Describe the actions you’ll take to ensure that the interventions implemented align with RWHAP service categories such as medical nutrition therapy and food bank/home delivered meals.

• Discuss challenges that you’ll likely encounter in sustaining the program. Include how you will resolve these challenges.

Organizational information See merit review criterion 5: Resources and capabilities

Briefly describe your mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities. Explain how they will help you carry out the program requirements. You’ll include a project organizational chart in your attachments.

• Discuss how you’ll follow the approved project, keep track of all federal funds, and record all costs to avoid issues during the project audit.

• The capacity of your organization and staff to evaluate the initiative. Include their experience, skills, and knowledge

• Describe your organizational profile, budget, partners, key processes, and your key staff’s experience, skills, and knowledge.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 6: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in budget narrative: detailed instructions section of the Application Guide and the instructions listed in this section. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supply in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the HRSA award activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424-A. It includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the costs you request. The merit review committee reviews both.

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Supply)

To create your budget narrative, see budget narrative detailed instructions in the Application Guide.

Attachments Place your attachments in this order in the Attachments Form. See application checklist to determine if they count toward the page limit.

Unless the instructions below require it, do not submit organizational brochures or other promotional materials (for example, slides, films, clips).

Attachment 1: Work Plan Attach the project’s work plan. Make sure it includes everything required in the project narrative section.

Attachment 2: Staffing plan and job descriptions Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project, and key information about each. Justify your staffing choices, including their education and experience.

Explain your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

For each key staff member, attach a one-page job description. It must include their role, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Attachment 3: Biographical sketches Include biographical sketches for people who will hold the key positions you describe in Attachment 2.

Each biographical sketch should be no more than two pages. Do not include non-public, personally identifiable information. If you include someone you have not hired yet, provide a letter of commitment from that person along with the biographical sketch.

Attachment 4: Agreements with other entities Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and others you mention in your project narrative. If you include documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements, the documents should clearly describe the roles of subrecipients and contractors and any deliverables. It is not necessary to include the entire contents of lengthy agreements, so long as the portions you include describe the working relationship between you and the other organization. Make sure letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment 5: Project organizational chart Provide a one-page diagram that shows the full project’s organizational structure.

Attachment 6: Tables and charts Provide tables or charts that give more detail about the proposal. These might be Gantt, PERT, or flow charts.

Attachment 7-15: Other relevant documents You may use attachments 7 through 15 to add other relevant documents.

Other required forms https://grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#p

You will need to complete some other forms. Upload the following forms at Grants.gov. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and any available instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission requirement Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With application.

Project Abstract Summary Form With application.

Grants.gov Lobbying Form With application.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF- LLL), optional With application.

Project/Performance Site Location(s) With application.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A) With application.

Key Contacts With application.

Form instructions The application guide has detailed instructions for:

• The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424).

• The Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A).

Project abstract summary form instructions Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve. For more information, see Section 3.1.2 of the Application Guide.

Important: Public information

When filling out your SF-424 form, pay attention to Box 15: Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project.

We share what you put there with USAspending. This is where the public goes to learn how the federal government spends their money.

Instead of just a title, insert a short description of your project and what it will do.

See instructions and examples.

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review

Initial review We will review your application to make sure that it meets eligibility criteria, and the requirements in this NOFO. If your application does not meet eligibility criteria, it will not be funded. If your application does not meet other criteria, we will not fund it.

https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=8 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=13 https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

Merit review A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. You can find more about the merit review process in the Application Guide. The members use these criteria.

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 10 points

2. Response 40 points

3. Performance reporting and evaluation 10 points

4. Impact 10 points

5. Resources and capabilities 25 points

6. Support requested 5 points

Criterion 1: Need (10 points) See the project narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the problem and its contributing factors.

• Describes the applicant’s ability to meet program requirements and expectations.

• Outlines a plan to meet initiative objectives.

• Discusses challenges with implementing, evaluating and replicating nutrition service interventions

• Describes client-level and organization-level changes

Criterion 2: Response (40 points) See the project narrative Approach, High-level work plan, and Resolving Challenges

The panel will review your application for:

Strength, clarity and relevance of the following components of the plan to train and provide technical assistance to demonstration sites to implement nutrition service interventions, including:

Approach (20 points)

• Address the needs described and meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• Select and issue subawards to 10 demonstration sites, including the selection process and criteria proposed to ensure that a variety of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipient site types are represented.

• Ensure that representation of different geographic areas and site types.

• Provide ongoing technical assistance to the selected demonstration sites on implementing the selected interventions.

• The technical assistance methods you will use to meet the needs of the demonstration sites, including examples of TA needs that might occur and how you will address them.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=32

• Create and disseminate user-friendly multimedia materials that will help other RWHAP recipients replicate effective interventions

• Plan for demonstration sites to continue the project when federal funding end

Work Plan (15 points)

How well the work plan includes:

• Goals for the entire proposed four-year period of performance

• Objectives that are specific, time-framed, and measurable (Year 1 only).

• Action steps to achieve the stated objectives (Year 1 only).

• Staff responsible for each action step, including any consultants.

• Anticipated start and completion dates.

Resolving Challenges (5 points)

• The extent to which the application identifies possible challenges that may arise in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan and how the applicant will resolve them.

Criterion 3: Performance reporting and evaluation (10 points) See the project narrative Performance reporting and evaluation section.

The panel will review your application for the strength, clarity and relevance of the:

Outcomes (2 points)

• Expected outcomes (desired results) of the funded activities.

Performance measurement and reporting (4 points)

• Description of the development of a data plan including, management, analysis, and reporting

• Description of the data you will collect, collection methods, frequency of data collection, analyzing, monitoring, report required data accurately and on time and how you will continually improve your program.

Program Evaluation (4 points)

• Overall approach and methodology, consistent with implementation science, to evaluate project results against goals and objectives and gain insights into program outcomes and impact

Criterion 4: Impact (10 points) See the project narrative High-level workplan and Sustainability sections.

The panel will review your application for:

• How effective the proposed project is likely to be.

• How strong a public health impact it is likely to have.

• How effective your plans for sharing project results are likely to be.

• What the likely impact on the community or target population will be.

• How likely the project results are to be national in scope.

• How easy it will be to replicate project activities.

• How likely the program is to continue beyond the federal funding.

Criterion 5: Resources and capabilities (25 points) See the project narrative Organizational information and Performance reporting and evaluation sections.

The panel will review your application to determine the extent to which:

• Project staff have the training or experience to carry out the project.

• Project staff have the training and experience to carryout performance reporting and program evaluation.

• You have the capabilities to fulfill the needs of the project.

• You have quality facilities available to carry out the project.

• You have the capacity to gather, manage, and use data.

Criterion 6: Support requested (5 points) See the Budget and budget narrative section.

The panel will review your application to determine:

• How reasonable the proposed budget is for each year of the period of performance.

• How reasonable costs are and how well they align with the project’s scope.

• How sufficient the time is for key staff to spend on the project to achieve project objectives.

We do not consider voluntary cost sharing during merit review.

Risk review Before making an award, we review your award history to assess risk. We need to ensure all prior awards were managed well and demonstrated sound business practices. We:

• Review any applicable past performance.

• Review audit reports and findings.

• Analyze the budget.

• Assess your management systems.

• Ensure you continue to be eligible.

• Make sure you comply with any public policies.

We may ask you to submit additional information.

As part of this review, we use SAM.gov Entity Information Responsibility/Qualification to check your history for all awards likely to be more than $250,000 over the period of performance. You can comment on your organization's information in SAM.gov. We'll consider your comments before making a decision about your level of risk.

If we find a significant risk, we may choose not to fund your application or to place specific conditions on the award.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-information

For more details, see 2 CFR 200.206.

Selection process When making funding decisions, we consider:

• The amount of available funds.

• Assessed risk.

• Merit review results. These are key in making decisions but are not the only factor.

• The larger portfolio of HRSA-funded projects, including project type and geographic distribution.

We may:

• Fund out of rank order.

• Fund applications in whole or in part.

• Fund applications at a lower amount than requested.

• Decide not to allow a recipient to subaward if they may not be able to monitor and manage subrecipients properly.

• Choose to fund no applications under this NOFO.

You cannot appeal a denial, or the amount of funds awarded.

Funding priorities A funding priority adds points to merit review scores if we determine that the application meets the listed criteria.

Qualifying for a funding priority does not guarantee that your application will be successful.

Priority 1: Alignment with Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative (5 points)

We will give you funding priority if the following is met:

Your proposal is in an EHE priority state.

Award notices We issue Notices of Award (NOA) on or around the start date listed in the NOFO. See “how we make awards” in the Application Guide for more information.

By drawing down funds, you accept the terms and conditions of the award.

Step 5: Submit Your Application https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=32

Application submission and deadlines Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application. See the section on finding the application package to make sure you have everything you need.

Application deadline You must submit your application by 06/01/2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Grants.gov creates a date and time record when it receives applications.

If you need a deadline extension, see “requesting a waiver” in the Application Guide.

Submission method Grants.gov You must submit your application through Grants.gov. You may do so using Grants.gov Workspace. This is the preferred method. For alternative online methods, see Applicant System-to-System.

For instructions on how to submit in Grants.gov, see the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Make sure that your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks, or we may not get it. Do not encrypt, zip, or password protect any files.

If Grants.gov rejects your application due to errors, you must correct and resubmit before the deadline.

If you want to know more about correcting errors or tracking your application, you can refer to the Application Guide.

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Other submissions

Intergovernmental review This NOFO is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. No action is needed.

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award

Post-award requirements and administration

Administrative and national policy requirements There are important rules you need to know if you get an award. You must follow:

• All terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NOA). We incorporate this NOFO by reference.

• The regulations at 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, modifications at 2 CFR Part 300, and any superseding regulations.

• The HHS Grants Policy Statement. Your NOA will reference this document. If there are any exceptions to the GPS, they'll be listed in your NOA.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=7 https://www.grants.gov/system-to-system/applicant-system-to-system/…