Funding for National HIV Behavioral Surveillance

What to know

  • Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) number: PS22-2201
  • Application Due Date: August 2, 2021
  • Letter of Intent Due Date: June 7, 2021
  • Contact: NHBS@cdc.gov

Funding overview

The purpose of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) is to conduct bio-behavioral surveillance among populations overburdened by HIV infections.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports bio-behavioral surveillance that:

  • Monitors HIV-related behaviors.
  • Detects changes over time in HIV risk behaviors among populations overburdened by HIV infections.
  • Informs and evaluates HIV prevention activities.

This NOFO also aims to fill knowledge gaps about HIV prevention priorities among populations in areas where current data are limited. Data from NHBS will be used to improve HIV prevention, response, and testing and treatment services. It will also be used to reduce HIV incidence among populations overburdened by HIV infections.

This NOFO funds recipients for required NHBS strategies and activities related to:

  • Recruitment and data collection.
  • Data management and dissemination.
  • Quality assurance.
  • Collaboration.

The short-term aim is for state and local partners to use NHBS data to measure prevention, testing, and treatment. It also guides the development and strengthening of these efforts and informs prevention policy.

The long-term use of NHBS data will improve HIV prevention, response, and testing and treatment services. It will also reduce HIV incidence among populations overburdened by HIV infections.

There are two components that make up NOFO PS22-2201. Applicants may only apply for either Component 1 or Component 2.

Component 1

In Component 1, surveillance will be conducted in rotating cycles among three populations:

  • Men who have sex with men (NHBS-MSM).
  • Persons who inject drugs (NHBS-PWID).
  • Heterosexually active persons at increased risk for HIV (NHBS-HET).

Surveillance will be conducted in a specified metropolitan statistical area.

NHBS among transgender women (NHBS-Trans) and NHBS among women who exchange sex (NHBS-WES) will be optional populations in Component 1. NHBS-WES is inclusive of both cisgender and transgender women who exchange sex.

Component 2

In Component 2, surveillance will be conducted through Brief HIV Bio-behavioral Assessments (BHBAs). Funded applicants for Component 2 will conduct at least two mixed-methods assessments. These must be conducted in at least two priority populations in specified geographic areas of interest per year across the state.

Important dates

Key dates for NOFO PS22-2201 include:

  • Application due date: August 2, 2021
  • Letter of Intent due date: June 7, 2021
  • Award date: January 1, 2022
  • Project Period: January 1, 2022–December 31, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include state, local, and territorial health departments or their Bona Fide Agents. Eligibility is subject to the following clarification as outlined in the "Additional Information on Eligibility" section of the funding opportunity:

Eligible applicants for this NOFO include the following health departments (or their Bona Fide Agents):

  • All U.S. State health departments
  • The six local health departments with independent HIV surveillance programs:
    • City of Chicago Department of Public Health
    • Houston Department of Health and Human Services
    • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
    • City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health
    • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    • San Francisco Department of Public Health
  • The District of Columbia Department of Health
  • The territorial health departments:
    • Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
    • The U.S. Virgin Islands

This program is authorized under Section 318(c) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Section 247c(c)], as amended.

A health department may submit only one application. The application should be for only one component.

Applications are considered nonresponsive if:

  • Multiple applications are submitted from a single applicant.
  • Any application does not clearly indicate selection of only one component.

Nonresponsive applications will receive no further review.

Anonymous testing

Anonymous testing is required in this NOFO. Some states only allow for confidential testing. Applicants should explore possible exceptions available in some states for anonymous testing for research projects if it is otherwise prohibited.

Letter of Intent

The due date for the Letter of Intent (LOI) is June 7, 2021. The LOI is requested from eligible applicants with no previous experience conducting NHBS. Applicants are welcome to still submit an LOI even if you missed the deadline.

LOI should be sent to NHBS@cdc.gov.

Project Narrative

Submissions must include a Project Narrative. The page limit for the Project Narrative depends on which component the application is for. Page limits are inclusive of the work plan(s). Page limits are as follows:

  • Component 1 – Core NHBS
    • Core NHBS + work plan = 15-page limit
    • Core NHBS + work plan AND 1 Optional Population + work plan = 20-page limit
    • Core NHBS + work plan AND 2 Optional Populations + work plans = 25-page limit
  • Component 2 – NHBS BHBAs
    • NHBS BHBAs + work plan = 15 pages

The Evaluation Plan and Organizational Capacity are sections of the Project Narrative. These sections should count toward the Project Narrative page limit.

Budgets and funding

Awards and expected funding

Subject to the availability of funds, there are expected to be up to 30 awards:

  • Up to 25 awards for Component 1 (Core NHBS)
  • Up to 5 awards for Component 2 (NHBS BHBAs)

There is no funding ceiling in this NOFO. The average award amounts for Year 1 are as follows:

  • Component 1 – Core NHBS
    • REQUIRED: $470,000 (NHBS-PWID)
    • OPTIONAL: $150,000 (Viral hepatitis testing in NHBS-PWID), $250,000 (NHBS among Transgender Women), $250,000 (NHBS among Women who Exchange Sex)
  • Component 2 (NHBS BHBAs): $450,000

Allowable expenses

Equipment is an allowable expense. Large equipment will have to be pre-approved prior to purchase.

Access and submit applications

To access the application package for Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PS22-2201: National HIV Behavioral Surveillance:

  1. Go to Grants.gov.
  2. Select "Search Grants" from the top menu.
  3. In the "Opportunity Number" box, type CDC-RFA-PS22-2201.

Pre-application technical assistance

Informational webinar

The informational webinar will provide potential applicants the opportunity to ask CDC representatives specific questions related to the NOFO. Participation is strongly encouraged but not required to apply for this funding opportunity. Potential applicants will need a computer with an internet connection to view the webinar presentation and access to a telephone to join the webinar conference call.

June 9, 2021, 1:30–3:00 pm ET

To join ZoomGov Meeting:
https://cdc.zoomgov.com/j/1606950276?pwd=TXpiSjRTSThkeG5pZGUySlhQZTRuZz09 (link retired)

Dial by your location

+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)

+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 160 695 0276

Contacts

Programmatic technical assistance

For programmatic technical assistance, email NHBS@cdc.gov.

CDC has an email box (NHBS@cdc.gov) for potential applicants to ask questions about the NOFO and application process. In addition to their questions, applicants should provide their health department name, phone number and an e-mail address for a response. CDC staff will respond to all questions within three business days.

As appropriate, questions and CDC responses will be posted to the NOFO website accessible to all potential applicants.

Submission of questions about the NOFO closed at 5:00 pm ET on July 27, 2021.

Please note, all technical questions regarding application submission should be directed to the Grants.gov Support Line at 1-800-518-4726, support@grants.gov.

Financial, awards management, or budget assistance

Edna Green, Grants Management Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Hwy., MS TV-2
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2858
Email: egreen@cdc.gov

Attachments and important resources

Attachments

Component 1

Component 2

Note: The Notice of Funding Opportunity application package must be downloaded from www.grants.gov.

Component 1 or Component 2 applicants must submit a SUMMARY SF-424A showing total funds requested for the entire project period. This SUMMARY SF-424A must include any Optional Populations (if applicable) and/or any Optional Activities (if applicable).

Applicants applying for the optional NHBS among transgender women under Component 1 must submit a separate SF-424A for 2 years. This is in addition to the summary SF-424A.

Applicants applying for the optional NHBS among women who exchange sex under Component 1 must submit a separate SF-424A for 3 years. This is in addition to the summary SF-424A.

Important resources

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Content Source:
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention