HRSA-25-063.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due October 22, 2024

HIV/AIDS Bureau Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. – Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A and B Opportunity number: HRSA-25-063

Contents Before you begin 4

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Basic information 6

Summary 6

Key facts 6

Key dates 6

Funding detail 6

Eligibility 7

Program description 8

Award information 12

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Application writing help 17

Step 3: Write Your Application 19

Application contents and format 20

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 29

Application review 30

Selection process 34

Award notices 35

Step 5: Submit Your Application 36

Application submission and deadlines 37

Application checklist 38

Contents 2

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 40

Post-award requirements and administration 41

Contacts and Support 44

Appendix A: List of Eligible Applicants 47

Endnotes 50

Contents 3

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by October 22, 2024 Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2024.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 4 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 6

Summary 6

Key facts 6

Key dates 6

Funding detail 6

Eligibility 7

Program description 8

Award information 12

Basic information Health Resources and Services Administration

HIV/AIDS Bureau

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts Opportunity name: Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.

– Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A and B

Opportunity number:

HRSA-25-063

Announcement type: New

Federal assistance listing:

93.686

Statutory authority: 42 USC § 243(c) and 42 USC §§ 300ff-11 et seq. (§311(c) and title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act)

Key dates NOFO issue date: August 22, 2024

Informational webinar:

September 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET

Application deadline:

October 22, 2024

Expected award date is by:

February 1, 2025

Expected start date: March 1, 2025

Summary This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. — Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Parts A and B as administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) in conjunction with the existing RWHAP Parts A and B funding. The purpose of this initiative is to focus resources in 48 counties, Washington, D.C., San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR), and seven states with the highest incidence or burden of HIV (hereafter referred to as “jurisdictions” and listed in Appendix A) to implement effective and innovative strategies, interventions, approaches, and services to reduce new HIV infections in the United States.

Funding detail Application types: Competing competition

Expected total available funding in FY 2025: $175,000,000

Expected number and type of awards: 47 cooperative agreements

Funding range per award: 2,200,000 - $30,200,000 (see calculation details)

We plan to fund awards in five, 12-month budget periods for a total five-year period of performance of March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2030.

The program and awards depend on the appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations.

For FY 2025, you may apply for an amount of funding within the funding range (including both direct and indirect costs). The actual amount available will not be determined until enactment of the final FY 2025 federal appropriation.

HAB will use a data driven methodology to calculate award amounts annually for EHE jurisdictions based on:

1. the estimated number of people living with diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV in each jurisdiction (as reported to and confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#c

2. actual number of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV, reengaged in care, and/or virally suppressed (according to the Ryan White Services Report),

3. the Objective Review Committee (ORC) scores, and

4. program determination of minimum and maximum award amounts.

This will ensure that awards continue to reflect the need in each jurisdiction, and that funds are allocated to jurisdictions meeting the goals of initiative.

Funding amounts may change compared to the previous five-year period of performance because of changes in the estimated number of people living with diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV in each jurisdiction and the total available amount of funds. Funding amounts may also change for each budget period. For FY 2025, eligible jurisdictions may request between $2,200,000 and $16,700,000. We anticipate that in FY 2029 (year 5 of the cooperative agreement), eligible jurisdictions will be able to request between $4,000,000 and $30,200,000. Funding amounts are subject to change based on appropriations in each FY. Recipients who successfully increase the number of people with HIV who are newly diagnosed, reengaged in care, and/or virally suppressed may receive additional funds if the EHE appropriation amount allows.

Eligibility Who can apply You can apply if you are a:

• RWHAP Part A funded Eligible Metropolitan Area (EMA) or Transitional Grant Area (TGA) whose service area includes one or more of the identified 48 HIV high burden counties; and the EMAs of Washington, D.C. and San Juan, PR.

• RWHAP Part B funded States/Territories identified as having a substantial rural HIV burden–Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

• The RWHAP Part B Program of the State of Ohio on behalf of Hamilton County.

Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic organizations may apply “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, or the Republic of Palau.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

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. We will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting.

Program description Purpose This notice (HRSA-25-063)-announces the opportunity to apply for funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. – Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A and B cooperative agreement. The purpose of this initiative is to focus resources in 48 counties, Washington, D.C., San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR), and seven states with the highest incidence or burden of HIV to implement effective and innovative strategies, interventions, approaches, and services to reduce new HIV infections in the United States.

The Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (hereafter referred to as the “EHE initiative”) focuses on four key strategies:

• Diagnose all people with HIV as early as possible;

• Treat people with HIV rapidly and effectively to reach sustained viral suppression;

• Prevent new HIV transmissions by using proven interventions; and

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Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/overview

• Respond quickly to potential HIV outbreaks to get needed prevention and treatment services to people who need them.

HRSA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Centers for AIDS Research (CFARs), the Indian Health Service (IHS), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are collaborating on implementation of these key strategies. HRSA’s responsibilities include increasing testing and prevention among Health Center Program patients, providing access to HIV care and treatment through the RWHAP and Health Center Program, and linking people with HIV, newly diagnosed or re-identified through testing programs, to care, and responding to outbreaks.

For the Ryan White Program, 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.

Background The HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has five statutory funding parts that provide a comprehensive system of medical care, support, and medications for low-income people with HIV. The goal is better health results, and lower HIV transmission in priority groups. From 2018 to 2022, HIV viral suppression among Ryan White program patients improved from 87.1% to 89.6%. For more, see the 2022 Ryan White Services Report (RSR). Racial, ethnic, age-based, and regional disparities in viral suppression rates have significantly reduced. For more, see the Annual Client-Level Data Report 2022.

HIV Care Continuum The HIV care continuum is key to the program. It shows the journey of someone with HIV from diagnosis to effective treatment, leading to viral suppression. People with HIV who reach viral suppression cannot sexually transmit HIV to their partner and can live longer and healthier lives.

This continuum also helps programs and planners measure progress and use resources effectively. We encourage you to assess your outcomes and work with your community and public health partners to improve outcomes across the HIV care continuum. To assess your program, learn more at HRSA’s Performance Measure Portfolio.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/about/parts-and-initiatives https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/rwhap-annual-client-level-data-report-2022.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/rwhap-annual-client-level-data-report-2022.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/rwhap-annual-client-level-data-report-2022.pdf https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/policies-issues/hiv-aids-care-continuum/ https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/grants/performance-measure-portfolio

Strategic frameworks and national objectives To address health challenges faced by low-income people with HIV, using national objectives and strategic frameworks is crucial. These frameworks include:

Healthy People 2030

National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) (2022–2025)

Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States (2021–2025)

Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan for the United States: A Roadmap to Elimination (2021–2025)

These strategies offer guidance on the main principles, priorities, and steps for our national health response. They serve as a blueprint for collective action and impact.

Using data effectively HRSA and CDC promote integrated data sharing and use for program planning, quality improvement, and public health action.

We encourage you to:

• Follow the Data Security and Confidentiality Guidelines for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Tuberculosis Programs.

• Create data-sharing agreements between surveillance and HIV programs.

• Progress towards NHAS goals through integrated data sharing, analysis, and use of HIV data by health departments.

• Complete CD4, viral load, and HIV nucleotide sequence reporting to the state and territorial health departments’ HIV surveillance systems. CDC mandates the reporting of all such data to the National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS).

• Use HRSA’s interactive RWHAP Compass Dashboard to visualize reach, impact, and outcomes of the Ryan White program and to inform planning and decision making. The dashboard gives you a look at national, state, and metro area data and displays client demographics, services, outcomes, and viral suppression. It also includes data about clients in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

• Develop data-sharing strategies with other RWHAP recipients and relevant entities to reduce administrative burden.

• Use electronic data sources to verify client eligibility when you can. See Policy Clarification Notice 21-02, Determining Client Eligibility & Payor of Last Resort in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://health.gov/healthypeople https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aids-strategy/national-hiv-aids-strategy-2022-2025 https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/sexually-transmitted-infections/plan-overview/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/sexually-transmitted-infections/plan-overview/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/viral-hepatitis-national-strategic-plan/national-viral-hepatitis-action-plan-overview/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/viral-hepatitis-national-strategic-plan/national-viral-hepatitis-action-plan-overview/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/program-collaboration-service-integration/php/data-security/ https://www.cdc.gov/program-collaboration-service-integration/php/data-security/ https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/hiv-aids/compass-dashboard https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/pcn-21-02-determining-eligibility-polr.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/pcn-21-02-determining-eligibility-polr.pdf

Program resources and innovative models HRSA offers multiple projects and resources to help you. A full list of resources is available on TargetHIV. We urge you to learn about them and use them in your project.

For some examples, see Helpful Websites.

Program requirements and expectations The only EHE initiative requirement for determining eligibility for service provisions is that the individual has a documented HIV diagnosis; there is no requirement that individuals meet RWHAP eligibility. In addition, funded recipients are not limited to using the RWHAP service categories for the EHE initiative. Funded recipients will use these resources in conjunction with the RWHAP Parts A and B systems of HIV care and treatment to develop, implement, and/or enhance innovative approaches to engaging people with HIV. Programs funded under this announcement must undertake actions to address HIV in their communities in addition to activities that are authorized by the RWHAP legislation.

Proposed activities may include but are not limited to:

• community engagement;

• implementation of emerging practices,

• evidence-informed and/or evidenced-based interventions, particularly around linkage to care, retention in care, reengagement in care, and adherence counseling;

• the provision of needed client services;

• increasing organizational capacity;

• information dissemination and public outreach; or

• data infrastructure development and systems linkages.

Recipients are encouraged to reference the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) Initiative Qualitative Summary of Progress: March 2021- February 2022 for an overview of activities and services.

All funded recipients will be required to collaborate with the RWHAP AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) and recipients of HRSA-25-064 Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. – Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) and HRSA-25-065 Ending the Epidemic in the U.S. – Systems Coordination Provider (SCP). The AETCs collaborate with recipients and conduct activities to support the EHE initiative by implementing strategies, interventions, and approaches to address the unique training needs of the health care workforce and organizations in the EHE-funded jurisdictions in the regions. The purpose of the TAP is to provide technical assistance to you on implementation of work plan activities, innovative approaches, and interventions. The purpose of the SCP is to

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://targethiv.org/help/ta-directory https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/2022-hrsa-ehe-qualitative-summary.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/data/2022-hrsa-ehe-qualitative-summary.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/about/parts-and-initiatives/part-f-aetc https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/about/parts-and-initiatives/part-f-aetc assist you in coordinating your EHE initiative planning, funding sources, and programs with the existing HIV care delivery systems. In addition, the SCP will assist in the identification of existing and new stakeholders, as well as collate and disseminate best practices, innovative approaches, and interventions identified by the TAP that facilitate the success of the EHE initiative.

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

• Providing the expertise of HAB personnel and other relevant resources to support the efforts of EHE initiative activities;

• Facilitating partnership and communication with other federal agencies including CDC, NIH, IHS, HUD, and SAMHSA, to improve coordination efforts;

• Facilitating collaboration with the AETCs, TAP, and SCP to assist in the development, implementation, coordination, and integration of EHE initiative activities;

• Participating in the design and direction of the strategies, interventions, tools, and processes to be established and implemented for accomplishing the goals of the cooperative agreement;

• Discussing uses of funds outside of existing allowable RWHAP costs and service categories;

• Providing ongoing review of the establishment and implementation of activities and measures for accomplishing the goals of the cooperative agreement;

• Participating, as appropriate, in conference calls and meetings that are conducted during the period of performance of the cooperative agreement;

• Reviewing and concurring with all information products prior to dissemination;

and

• Facilitating the dissemination of project findings, best practices, evaluation data, and other information developed as part of this project to the broader network of EHE initiative and RWHAP recipients.

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

• Coordinating EHE initiative activities with their existing RWHAP programs;

• Completing proposed EHE initiative work plan activities within the five-year period of performance;

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Collaborating with HRSA on review of activities, procedures, and budget items, including timely communication with project officer;

• Developing and implementing a methodology, including proposed metrics, to measure the impact of proposed activities, as well as reporting on outcomes;

• Implementing two or more emerging, evidenced-informed, and or evidence-based interventions, which are not currently supported by the RWHAP Part A and B funding;

• Ensuring proposed activities are based on documented need, targeted for maximum impact on HIV care continuum outcomes, and designed to reach the identified population(s) of focus;

• Collaborating with EHE initiative-funded organizations, health centers, and other local and state government agencies on implementing EHE initiative activities;

• Collaborating with the AETCs, TAP, and SCP on the development, implementation, coordination, and integration of EHE initiative activities;

• Developing a sustainability plan to support successful activities following conclusion of the cooperative agreement;

• Modifying activities and budget as necessary to explore all implementation options ensuring relevant outcomes for the project; and

• Participating in the dissemination of project findings, best practices, and lessons learned.

Funding policies and limitations Policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

• Appropriation of funds

• Satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives

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

◦ If we receive more funding for this program, we consider options such as:

• Fund more applicants from the rank order list

• Extend the period of performance

• Award supplemental funding

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project

Budget Information in Section 3.1.4 of the Application Guide. You can also see 45 CFR part 75, or any superseding regulation, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.[1]

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 45 CFR 75.400(g).

• Congress’s current appropriations act includes a salary limitation which applies to this program. As of January 2024, the salary rate limitation is $221,900. Note this limitation may be updated.

Program-specific limitations

• Award administration costs may not exceed ten (10) percent of the grant award.

Planning and Evaluation costs may not exceed ten (10) percent of the grant award.

Collectively, recipient Administration and Planning and Evaluation may not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the grant award. The aggregate total of administrative expenditures for subrecipients, including all indirect costs, may not exceed 10 percent of the aggregate amount of all subawards. Please see Policy Clarification Notice 15-01 Treatment of Costs under the 10% Administrative Cap for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A, B, C, and D along with the Frequently Asked Questions for information regarding the statutory 10 percent limitation on administrative costs. Recipients may but are not required to allocate up to five percent of the total grant award for Clinical Quality Management (CQM) activities.

• Funds cannot be utilized to make payments for any item or service to the extent that payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be made, with respect to that item or service under any State compensation program, under an insurance policy, or under any Federal or State health benefits program (except for a program administered by or providing the services of the Indian Health Service);

or by an entity that provides health services on a prepaid basis.

• Allowable uses of funds are limited to EHE initiative services and infrastructure which are broader in scope than the RWHAP-defined set of core medical and support services, as well as traditional RWHAP services, administration, planning and evaluation, and CQM. There is no requirement that 75 percent of the award be expended on core medical services as there is with the RWHAP.

See Manage Your Grant for other information on costs and financial management.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75#75.400 https://hab.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hab/Global/pcn1501.pdf https://hab.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hab/Global/pcn1501.pdf https://hab.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hab/Global/pcn1501.pdf https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/ryanwhite/grants/faq-policy-clarification-notice-15-01.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage-your-grant

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. Learn more at 45 CFR 75.414, Indirect costs.

Indirect costs are determined using one of two methods:

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

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 45 CFR 75.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to apply a de minimis rate. This rate is 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) (45 CFR 75.2 defines MTDC). You can use this rate indefinitely or until you negotiate a rate. If you use the de minimis rate, you must use it for all federal awards unless you negotiate a rate with your cognizant federal agency.

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 45 CFR 75.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.2(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR911e5e1a30bfbcb/section-75.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Application writing help 17

Have questions? See Contacts and Support.

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 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 to find out what you’ll need to register.

When you register or update your SAM.gov registration, you must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations. You must agree to those for grants specifically, as opposed to contracts, because the two sets of agreements are different. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

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.

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-25-063.

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.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application/assurances-non-construction-programs https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application/assurances-non-construction-programs https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants 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

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, join the webinar on September 10, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. You can join at https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/ 1612439661?pwd=a0tuSFFEZU1OeTFCeXdqVmdBdXNFdz09

Meeting ID: 161 243 9661

Passcode: ef8ytzB2

If you are not able to join online, you can call in at 833 568 8864 US Toll-free with

Meeting ID: 161 243 9661

Passcode: 87009894

We will record the webinar. If you are not able to join live, you can replay it at https://targethiv.org/.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1612439661?pwd=a0tuSFFEZU1OeTFCeXdqVmdBdXNFdz09 https://hrsa-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1612439661?pwd=a0tuSFFEZU1OeTFCeXdqVmdBdXNFdz09 https://targethiv.org/

Step 3:

Write Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 20

Application contents and format Applications include five main components. This section includes guidance on each.

Application page limit: 40 pages

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

Make sure you include each of these:

Components Submission format

Project abstract Use the Project Abstract Summary form

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form

Budget narrative Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form

Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form

Other required forms Upload using each required form

Required format

You must format your narratives and attachments using our required formats for fonts, size, color, format, and margins. See the formatting guidelines in Section 3.2 of the Application Guide.

Project abstract 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.

A summary of the proposed activities which demonstrates the incorporation of the previous five years’ work on ending the HIV epidemic. Explain how you will utilize these funds to expand on prior successes, and modify approaches that were less successful, so that all people who are out-of-care are brought into and retained in care. Include the following:

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Step 3: Write Your Application 20 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=36 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf

• A description of the intended impact (e.g., how the activities will engage people with HIV who are not in care and/or not virally suppressed and provide rapid access to a comprehensive continuum of high-quality care and treatment services for people with HIV who are newly diagnosed and re-engaged in care).

• The funding amount requested for the five-year period of performance. The request should project, over the period of performance, how much funding will be needed to identify and bring into and retain in care a substantial number of new or re-engaged clients. These projections should include sufficient resources to address social determinants of health such as housing and behavioral health for the newly diagnosed, not virally suppressed, or not yet engaged in HIV care.

Project narrative In this section, you will describe all aspects of your project. Project activities must comply with the nondiscrimination requirements.

Use the section headers and the order listed.

Introduction See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Briefly describe the purpose of your project.

• Briefly describe activities implemented by your jurisdiction to reduce HIV infections, increase viral suppression, and/or engagement in HIV care.

• Describe the proposed project for the focus jurisdiction.

• Include a description of how the proposed activities will address the goal of the EHE initiative by significantly reducing new HIV infections in the focus jurisdiction within the five-year period of performance.

• Describe how you will use EHE initiative resources in conjunction with RWHAP Parts A and B system of HIV care and treatment to achieve this goal.

Need See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Describe the population(s) of focus and their unmet health needs.

• Outline the community or organization’s needs you plan to address.

• Use and cite demographic and qualitative data whenever possible.

• Discuss any service gaps, barriers, and unmet needs with regard to rapidly engaging and retaining, treating HIV infection, and reaching sustained viral suppression for the population(s) of focus (including services to address social determinants of health, as relevant).

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• Indicate planned collaboration efforts with other relevant partners/providers/ agencies to move people with HIV across the HIV Care Continuum.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

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

• Include strategies for ongoing staff training, teamwork, and information sharing.

Also include strategies for outreach and collaboration efforts to involve clients, families, and communities.

• Propose a plan for continuing the project when federal funding ends. We expect you to keep up key strategies or services and actions that have led to improved practices and outcomes for the population(s) of focus.

• Describe activities that expand access to HIV care and treatment for people with HIV in the jurisdiction who are newly diagnosed, not engaged in care, and/or not virally suppressed, addressing barriers and unmet needs, and improving client-level health outcomes.

• Describe how proposed methods support responding to clusters, including communication with the health department conducting the cluster detection efforts and tracking to respond quickly to people with HIV needing HIV care and treatment. According to the CDC, a cluster refers to a group of health events that are somehow related or have some characteristic in common.

• You are encouraged to propose methods that are:

• specific and address the needs of the population(s) of focus;

• measurable and improve health outcomes of the population(s) of focus;

• outside of the RWHAP Part A and B parameters; and

• aligned with the goals and objectives of the EHE initiative.

Applicants must describe how proposed activities will:

• Expand access to HIV care and treatment in the focus jurisdictions for people with HIV, both those who are newly diagnosed and those who are not engaged in care, and/or not virally suppressed;

• Address unmet needs and improve client-level health outcomes; and

• Respond quickly to HIV cluster detection efforts for those people with HIV needing HIV care and treatment.

You should ensure that methods build upon existing strategic plans such as the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US Jurisdictions and Plans, the Integrated HIV Prevention and

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Write Your Application 22 https://www.cdc.gov/ehe/php/jurisdictions-plans/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/ehe/php/jurisdictions-plans/index.html

Care Plan, and community needs assessments. For successful recipients, guidance will be provided in the Notice of Award.

Recipients are required to collaborate and coordinate with people with HIV, particularly members of population(s) of focus, as well as providers and stakeholders outside of your current network who serve and support the population(s) of focus, to carry out the proposed activities. Describe how you will:

• Collaborate and/or coordinate with these organizations to address the barriers identified in the needs assessment section.

• Build, expand and/or maintain effective strategic partnerships with new and existing key providers within your community, other RWHAP funded programs including the AETCs and AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Community Health Centers (CHCs), CDC-funded entities, State Medicaid Programs, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)-funded entities, IHS-funded entities, SAMHSA-funded entities and other mental health and addiction providers, correctional facilities, and other providers and stakeholders.

• Ensure people with HIV who are members of population(s) of focus and/or organizations that represent them will be engaged in the planning and implementation of this project throughout the period of performance, including decision-making activities.

• Share evaluation data and program outcomes with HRSA. Include letters of support and/or letters of commitment from each partner and/or collaborating entity stating their concurrence with the proposed project as Attachment 4.

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

• You must submit the detailed work plan (Attachment 1) for the five-year period of performance of March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2030. Work plan activities should directly relate to treatment and response efforts of the EHE initiative.

• Describe how you’ll achieve each of the objectives during the period of performance.

• Provide a timeline that includes each activity and identifies who is responsible for each. Identify how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out all activities.

• Activities should also correspond to your proposed budget for each year of the five-year period of performance.

• Applicants should propose specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based (SMART) process and/or outcome objectives for each workplan activity. As noted earlier, the amount available, in addition to the ceiling amounts stated, are

Step 3: Write Your Application 23 based on current projections. If additional funding is made available in the future, future year ceiling and award amounts may be adjusted to reflect any changes.

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter in your work plan and explain approaches that you’ll use to resolve them.

Discuss challenges, barriers or potential risks that you are likely to encounter in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Explain approaches that you’ll use to resolve them.

Your plan should also incorporate approaches to address these barriers throughout the period of performance.

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

• Technical assistance. Identify any potential need for technical assistance from the EHE Technical Assistance Provider and EHE Systems Coordination Provider.

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

◦ Performance Measurement and Reporting. See reporting manual for performance measure requirements and examples of reporting forms.

• Describe how you will collect, and report required performance data accurately and on time.

• 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 monitor and analyze performance data to support continuous quality improvement.

◦ Program Evaluation. The evaluation should examine processes and progress towards 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.

Describes your proposed infrastructure to include:

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Write Your Application 24 https://targethiv.org/library/ehe-trireport-instruction-manual

• information system capabilities, systems, and processes that will support the organization in monitoring the proposed EHE initiative activities, including performance outcomes, and capacity to measure and report data.

Describe your plan to evaluate the project. Include:

• The evaluation questions, methods, data to be collected, and timeline for implementation.

• The evaluation barriers and your plan to address them.

• The evaluation capacity of your organization and staff. Include experience, skills, and knowledge.

• How you will disseminate results, how you will assess whether your dissemination plan is effective, whether the results are national in scope, and the extent of potential replication.

• See Reporting for more information.

Organizational information See merit review criterion 5: Resources and capabilities

• Briefly describe your mission, structure (Attachment 6), and the scope of your current activities. Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements.

• Discuss how you’ll follow the approved plan, account for federal funds, and record all costs to avoid audit findings.

• Describe how you’ll assess the unique needs of the people who live in the community you serve.

• Describe your organizational profile, budget, partners, key processes, key personnel (Attachment 2) experience, skills, and knowledge (Attachment 3).

• Identify training needs and how the organization plans to work with its regional AETCs to address them.

• Provide a description of your organization’s experience with fiscal management of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts including experience managing multiple federal awards and documenting all costs to avoid audit findings.

Please note: HRSA expects the staff person responsible for management of the RWHAP Part A and B EHE initiative cooperative agreement to have dedicated time to ensure sufficient oversight and monitoring of all EHE initiative activities conducted by the recipient and subrecipients.

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

Step 3: Write Your Application 25

Your budget should follow the instructions in Section 3.1.4. Project Budget Information

- Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) of the Application Guide and any specific instructions listed in this section. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs incurred 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).

• Provide a program-specific line-item budget (Attachments 6 and 7) for each year of the five-year period of performance using the object class categories in the SF-424A and the following cost categories: (RWHAP Services, EHE Initiative Services and Infrastructure, Administration/Planning and Evaluation, and, if applicable, Clinical Quality Management (CQM)).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form 424A.

See other required forms. It includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the requested costs. The merit review committee reviews both.

As you develop your budget, consider:

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

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

To create your budget narrative, see detailed instructions in Section 3.1.5 of the Application Guide.

• Please note: The amount available, in addition to the ceiling amounts stated, are based on current projections. Recipients must submit a revised budget and work plan to appropriately reflect the actual funding amounts provided in the Notice of Award. The line-item budget requested must not exceed the funding range, in addition, the amounts requested on the SF-424A and the amounts listed on the line-item budget must match. Please list personnel separately by position title and the name of the individual for each position title or note if position is vacant.

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

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

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Write Your Application 26 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=19 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=30

Attachment 2: Staffing plan and job descriptions See Section 4.1.vi of the Application Guide.

Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project and key information about each. Justify your staffing choices, including education and experience qualifications and your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

For key personnel, attach a one-page job description. It must include the 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 refer to in the proposal. Documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements should clearly describe the roles of subrecipients and contractors and any deliverables. Make sure you sign and date any letters of agreement.

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

Attachment 6: Program Specific Line-Item Budget for Years 1 through 4.

Provide separate line-item budgets for each year of the five-year period of performance, using the Section B Budget Categories of the SF-424A and breaking down sub-categorical costs as appropriate.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Write Your Application 27 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/sf424-application-guide.pdf#page=33 https://grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-terminology#p

Attachment 7: For multi-year budgets--5th year budget For the fifth budget year, submit a copy of Section B of the SF-424A as an attachment.

We do not count this in the page limit however, any related budget narrative does count. See Section 4 of the Application Guide.

Other required forms 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

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

With application

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) If applicable, with the application or before award

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Write 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Write Your Application 28 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/application-guide.pdf#page=19 https://www.grants.gov/forms

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 30

Selection process 34

Award notices 35

Application review Initial review We review each application to make sure it meets eligibility criteria, including the completeness criteria and the responsiveness criteria. If your application does not meet these criteria, it will not be funded.

We will not review any pages that exceed the page limit.

Merit review A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. The members use these criteria.

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Need 10 points

2. Response 30 points

3. Performance reporting and evaluation 15 points

4. Impact 20 points

5. Resources and capabilities 15 points

6. Support requested 10 points

Criterion 1: Need 10 points

See Project Narrative Introduction and Need sections.

The panel will review your application for how well it:

• Describes the problem, purpose of the project, and its contributing factors.

• The clarity and completeness of the description of the population(s) of focus, service gaps, barriers, and unmet needs as it relates to engaging, retaining, and achieving viral suppression for the population(s) of focus.

• The extent to which the applicant describes the need for, and any current or potential challenges to, collaborating with other relevant partners to identify, link, engage, retain, and achieve viral suppression for the population(s) of focus, including the need for capacity building and/or infrastructure improvements, as relevant.

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 30

• The clarity of the description of how the proposed activities will address the goal of the EHE initiative by significantly reducing new HIV infections in the focus jurisdiction within the five-year period of performance.

• The extent to which the applicant describes how EHE initiative resources in conjunction with RWHAP Parts A and B system of HIV care and treatment will be utilized to achieve this goal.

◦ How well the applicant describes planned collaboration effects with partners/providers/agencies to move people with HIV across the HIV Care Continuum.

Criterion 2:…