Special Projects of National Significance

The purpose of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part F Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program is to support the development of innovative models of HIV care and treatment to quickly respond to emerging needs of RWHAP clients.

The purpose of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part F Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program is to support the development of innovative models of HIV care and treatment to quickly respond to emerging needs of RWHAP clients. Through its demonstration, implementation, and health information technology projects, SPNS uses implementation science to evaluate the design, implementation, use, cost, and health-related outcomes of treatment strategies while promoting the dissemination and replication of successful interventions in the RWHAP. This unique program advances knowledge and skills in the delivery of health care, support services, and data integration to serve RWHAP priority populations. Through these special projects, RWHAP SPNS recipients implement a variety of interventions that advance public health knowledge and help to achieve the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Academic institutions, non-profit organizations including faith-based organizations, and those eligible for funding under Parts A-D authorized by Title XXVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. Additionally, federally recognized Indian Tribal Governments and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply for these funds.

Individuals with HIV.

Proposals are expected to adequately define and justify the needs, innovative nature, and evaluation methodology of the proposed model of services. Funds shall be used to create and/or evaluate innovative models of HIV care, services, capacity development initiatives, and health information and technology data systems that would likely not exist nor be evaluated without RWHAP Part F SPNS Program support, or that would extend the care model to previously underserved or uninsured populations.

Funds may not be used for: • charges that are billable to third party payers (e.g., private health insurance, prepaid health plans, Medicaid, Medicare); • purchasing or construction of new facilities or capital improvements to existing facilities; • purchasing or improving land; • international travel; • cash payments to intended recipients of RWHAP services; • pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); • non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) Funds may not be used for outreach programs that have HIV prevention education as their exclusive purpose, or broad-scope awareness activities about HIV services that target the general public. Additionally, the purchase of sterile needles or syringes for the purposes of hypodermic injection of any illegal drug is not allowable. Some aspects of syringe services programs are allowable with HRSA's prior approval and in compliance with HHS and HRSA policy (see: https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/policies-issues/syringe-services-programs).

Grants and cooperative agreements will generally be awarded for project periods ranging from two to five years. Budget periods are composed of up to two to five 12-month budget periods depending on the focus area, implementation and replication activities, evaluation framework, and dissemination plan timelines.

Evaluation criteria vary and are based on the initiative. Refer to criteria included in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for each specific program.

All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the recommendations of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions. Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Award (NOA).

Approximately 6 months.

Competitive awards are typically made for up to 2 to 5 years, subject to the availability of funds. After initial awards, annual noncompetitive awards may be made contingent upon the submission of noncompetitive applications/progress reports, availability of funds and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the federal government.