The funding opportunity Strengthening Comprehensive HIV Prevention Interventions in Malawi under PEPFAR (Opportunity number: CDC-RFA-JG-25-0048) is a new cooperative agreement from the CDC's Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis. Its purpose is to support Malawi's Ministry of Health in scaling comprehensive HIV prevention interventions, addressing high HIV incidence, prevalence, and gaps in HIV testing across targeted districts. The program integrates biomedical, behavioral, and structural strategies tailored to specific population groups. These efforts aim to reduce new HIV infections through person-centered approaches with long-term, sustainable impacts.

Funding for Year 1 is anticipated to total $5,000,000, distributed between one or two awards, depending on available funds and program priorities. The project spans a five-year performance period, divided into five 12-month budget periods. Applicants must submit a budget that aligns with the outlined activities and must not exceed the Year 1 funding cap. Applications are due by February 18, 2025, with a project start date of September 30, 2025. This NOFO prioritizes local partners, granting a 15-point preference to organizations that meet PEPFAR's local partner criteria.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, including state, county, and municipal governments, educational institutions, non-profits, for-profits, and foreign entities. However, all projects must be conducted in Malawi. This funding opportunity is unrestricted but prohibits research activities and limits the project narrative to 20 pages. The application must be in English, and all budgets must use U.S. dollars. No cost-sharing or matching funds are required, though voluntary contributions must be reported if the project is awarded.

The application process involves several steps: securing active registrations on SAM.gov and Grants.gov, submitting required documents such as the project narrative, budget narrative, organizational capacity statement, and key personnel resumes, and adhering to CDC guidelines on project structure and evaluation. Applicants must include a work plan detailing performance outcomes, activities, and monitoring methods. A detailed evaluation and data management plan, compliant with CDC's policies, is also required.

Evaluation of applications will focus on the approach (45 points), organizational capacity (30 points), and data, monitoring, and evaluation strategies (25 points). Proposals must demonstrate a strong understanding of the HIV prevention landscape in Malawi, articulate clear collaboration plans with local stakeholders, and outline robust systems for performance monitoring and evaluation. The final selection process also considers alignment with PEPFAR priorities, funding availability, and risk assessments.

Key activities include scaling voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), promoting pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP), reducing structural barriers for key populations, and implementing targeted HIV and violence prevention programs for adolescents and young adults. Emphasis is placed on collaboration with Malawi's government, local organizations, and other PEPFAR partners to ensure sustainable and culturally competent service delivery. Outputs must align with UNAIDS' 95-95-95 targets to combat HIV.

This program presents a significant opportunity for organizations to contribute to Malawi's HIV prevention efforts while building sustainable systems and community capacity. For detailed submission guidelines, applicants can consult the Grants.gov application package and address questions to the contacts listed in the NOFO.