Improving regional capacity to respond to HIV, TB, and other global health priorities in Central America

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, under the Department of Health and Human Services, is seeking applicants for a cooperative agreement to strengthen regional capacity to respond to HIV, tuberculosis, and other global health priorities in Central America, specifically in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The anticipated total funding for Year 1 is $20,000,000, contingent on availability, with no award ceiling established for the first year. The program aims to advance progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by closing critical gaps in HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while transitioning implementation and leadership to local governments. Activities must leverage the Sentinel Surveillance of STI and HIV Strategy (VICITS), employ active case-finding methods including index testing, provider-initiated testing, community outreach, and self-testing, and integrate comprehensive care for HIV, TB, and other opportunistic infections. Emphasis is placed on building sustainable health systems through continuous quality improvement, enhancing healthcare worker capacity, and ensuring data systems support monitoring of progress toward global health goals and public health security. The five-year period of performance runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031, with all activities required to occur within the five target countries. Applicants must demonstrate strong organizational capacity, including experience managing awards exceeding $7 million, a robust organizational structure with clearly defined key personnel, and evidence of prior engagement in PEPFAR-related efforts. Proposals are evaluated based on a best-value trade-off approach, prioritizing technical merit over cost, with the highest weight assigned to the proposed approach (40 points), followed by organizational capacity (30 points) and data, monitoring, and evaluation systems (30 points). Applicants must submit a 20-page project narrative, a 1-page abstract, and up to 90 pages of supporting attachments, all in specified formats and submitted exclusively through Grants.gov by August 31, 2026. Required registrations include an active Unique Entity Identifier through SAM.gov and a Grants.gov account. Proposals must not be used for research or clinical care and must comply with federal financial regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200, while adhering to anti-lobbying restrictions. Recipients will be expected to submit performance and data management plans within six months of award and to hand over tools, systems, and leadership to national health authorities to ensure long-term sustainability and country ownership.