Supporting the implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programs to achieve and sustain epidemic control in Zimbabwe under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | CDC RFA JG 25 0099

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): CDC RFA JG 25 0099 (Zimbabwe HIV Epidemic Control)

1) What is CDC RFA JG 25 0099?

CDC RFA JG 25 0099 is a PEPFAR-supported cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It focuses on helping Zimbabwe achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control through strengthened, expanded, and improved HIV prevention and treatment services.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to strengthen and expand comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services in partnership with the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC). The work emphasizes practical, on-the-ground service delivery improvements to keep people healthy, reduce new infections, and maintain high levels of viral suppression.

3) What kind of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity is a cooperative agreement. That means recipients should expect substantial CDC involvement beyond standard grant oversight, such as technical guidance, strategic alignment with national and PEPFAR priorities, monitoring expectations, and support for continuous quality improvement.

4) How much funding is expected to be available?

Funding is projected at approximately USD 10,000,000 for Year 1, contingent on available funds.

5) Why does the posted Year 1 award ceiling show USD 0?

The posted Year 1 award ceiling is listed as USD 0 (none). In this context, it typically signals that an upper per-award cap is not specified in the notice, rather than meaning that no funding will be provided.

6) How many awards does CDC expect to make?

CDC expects to make about two awards.

7) What are the core HIV service areas supported by this award?

The award supports a broad package of HIV-related services, including differentiated HIV prevention and testing approaches, stronger linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART), improved retention strategies, and viral load monitoring to support sustained viral suppression.

8) What is meant by "differentiated" HIV prevention and testing approaches?

Based on the opportunity description, "differentiated" approaches refer to adapting prevention and testing services to better reach different groups and settings, including models that go beyond routine facility-based care, especially for populations that are harder to reach.

9) What does the opportunity emphasize about linkage to ART and retention?

It emphasizes faster and more reliable initiation of treatment for those diagnosed, and improved retention strategies to keep people living with HIV on effective treatment over time, addressing persistent gaps in treatment continuity and service quality.

10) Why is viral load monitoring highlighted?

Viral load monitoring is described as a central pillar because the program aims to ensure people on ART achieve and sustain viral suppression. Viral suppression improves individual health outcomes and reduces onward HIV transmission.

11) What is advanced HIV disease (AHD) management, and why is it included?

Advanced HIV disease (AHD) management focuses on stronger identification and clinical management for people who present late to care or with severe immunosuppression, where mortality risk is highest.

12) Does the opportunity include services beyond HIV?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly goes beyond HIV-only programming by integrating comorbidities and related services that intersect with HIV outcomes, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), TB-HIV collaboration, gender-based violence (GBV) response, cervical cancer screening and treatment, and integrated efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of multiple infections.

13) What non-communicable disease (NCD) work is included?

The opportunity includes prevention and control of NCDs. It notes that as people with HIV live longer, chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can complicate HIV care, making integrated NCD services increasingly important.

14) What does the opportunity say about TB-HIV collaboration?

It emphasizes TB-HIV collaboration to improve the quality and continuity of tuberculosis and HIV services, recognizing that TB remains a major cause of illness and death among people living with HIV.

15) How is gender-based violence (GBV) addressed in this program?

The opportunity explicitly incorporates GBV response, including post-violence care. It recognizes that violence and coercion can increase HIV risk, undermine treatment adherence, and create barriers to accessing health services.

16) Is cervical cancer prevention included?

Yes. Cervical cancer screening and treatment is a major focus area, particularly for people living with HIV who have higher risks of persistent HPV infection and faster progression to cervical cancer.

17) What are the goals for cervical cancer screening and treatment?

The program aims to improve screening coverage and ensure timely treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, described as one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer deaths.

18) Does the opportunity address mother-to-child transmission?

Yes. It includes a clear goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission not only of HIV, but also viral hepatitis and syphilis, signaling an integrated approach to maternal and child health services.

19) Where will activities be implemented (geographic focus)?

The work is concentrated in CDC-supported provinces: Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Harare, and Matabeleland North.

20) What service delivery models are emphasized?

The opportunity emphasizes scaling up differentiated service delivery models, especially community-based approaches such as community posts, to make services more convenient and accessible and reduce barriers like travel time, clinic wait times, stigma, and inflexible service hours.

21) Which populations are the priority for improved reach and outcomes?

Priority groups explicitly include key populations such as female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people in prisons, and people who inject drugs, as well as children, adolescent girls and young women, and men at high risk for HIV.

22) What gaps is the program designed to address?

It is designed to address persistent gaps in HIV diagnosis, treatment continuity, and service quality, especially among populations that are often harder to reach through routine facility-based care.

23) What role do faith communities and civil society organizations play?

The opportunity highlights engagement with faith communities and civil society organizations to strengthen health promotion, health education, demand creation, and community support for HIV services.

24) What outcomes or impacts are expected?

Expected impacts include better identification of people who do not know their HIV status, faster initiation of ART for those diagnosed, higher retention on ART, improved viral suppression rates, stronger TB-HIV service integration, expanded cervical cancer prevention services, and integrated approaches addressing GBV and maternal/child transmission risks.

25) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open. Applicant types listed include various levels of government, public and private institutions of higher education, tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other unrestricted entities.

26) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline listed is February 18, 2025.

27) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under CFDA 93.067 within the health activity area, aligning it with CDC global HIV programming supported through PEPFAR.

28) Who are the primary partners mentioned for implementation?

The opportunity specifically mentions partnership with the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), and also highlights collaboration with faith communities and civil society organizations.

29) What does "substantial CDC involvement" typically look like in this opportunity?

Based on the description, it includes technical guidance, strategic alignment with national and PEPFAR priorities, monitoring expectations, and support for continuous quality improvement.

30) Is the program focused only on facility-based services?

No. While facility-based care is part of the landscape, the opportunity places strong emphasis on community-based approaches and differentiated service delivery models to reach people who may not be well served by routine facility-only services.