The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced funding for the fiscal year 2025 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Access, Care, and Engagement Technical Assistance (ACE TA) Center under opportunity number HRSA-25-047. This cooperative agreement is designed to strengthen the capacity of RWHAP recipients and subrecipients to help people with HIV understand and use healthcare coverage options, ensuring access to and sustained engagement in care. The program will be administered by HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau, Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs, and aligns with national health strategies to improve health outcomes for individuals living with HIV.

The primary objective of the ACE TA Center is to maximize engagement in healthcare by improving health literacy and awareness of healthcare coverage options among people with HIV, healthcare providers, and service organizations. The program seeks to develop and disseminate strategies to promote equitable access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations, including those aging with HIV. Through outreach efforts, education, and training, the ACE TA Center aims to reduce disparities in healthcare access and enhance health outcomes across the HIV care continuum.

Funding for this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement with a total of $375,000 available for a single awardee. The performance period is three years, running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. HRSA will actively collaborate with the funded entity to ensure that activities align with program goals and previous progress in improving healthcare engagement for people with HIV.

Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state, county, city, township, and special district governments, Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The program does not require cost sharing, and applicants must adhere to eligibility and funding limitations outlined in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

Applications must be submitted by February 11, 2025, through Grants.gov. Required components include a project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, staffing plan, agreements with partners, and an evaluation plan. HRSA encourages applicants to review the full NOFO and attend the informational webinar on December 18, 2024, for further guidance.

Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria including the demonstrated need, approach, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Successful applicants will be expected to conduct training, outreach, and technical assistance activities, track healthcare policy developments, and implement strategies for improving health literacy and coverage among RWHAP participants. The awardee must also collaborate with HRSA and other national and state-level organizations to advance program objectives.