The CDC's Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), titled "Providing Targeted Technical Assistance to the HIV/TB Prevention-Care-Treatment Continuum Using Cost-Efficient and Scalable Quality Improvement Approaches to Address Program Gaps in Support of Sustainable HIV Services in Zambia under PEPFAR," aims to strengthen health systems and improve HIV/TB prevention, care, and treatment services in Zambia. It seeks to address programmatic gaps and support sustainable, high-quality service delivery to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Applications are due by February 24, 2025, with projects expected to begin September 30, 2025.

This NOFO will provide up to $15 million in total funding for Year 1, supporting 1-3 awards. The program spans five years, with funding contingent on progress, budget availability, and alignment with federal goals. The key strategies include enhancing healthcare worker capacity, strengthening provincial and district leadership for effective coordination, improving core health system functionality (such as laboratories and logistics), and advancing health informatics and monitoring systems for quality improvements. The initiative emphasizes evidence-based, person-centered approaches and integrates HIV and TB services with care for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Eligible applicants include public, private, nonprofit, for-profit, tribal organizations, and foreign entities. Projects must be conducted in Zambia, and applicants must demonstrate experience in HIV/TB programming and technical assistance. The application requires a detailed project narrative, work plans, organizational capacity documentation, and budget narratives. Proposals should highlight innovative approaches to address service delivery gaps and optimize system performance, ensuring high-quality data and sustainable outcomes.

The application review process evaluates the proposed approach (40 points), organizational capacity (35 points), and data monitoring and evaluation plans (25 points). PEPFAR's local partner funding preference offers an additional 15 points to eligible applicants meeting local partner criteria. The NOFO outlines expectations for detailed reporting on performance measures, financial expenditures, and outcomes, with a focus on achieving viral suppression, reducing treatment interruptions, and improving service quality across demographic groups.

Post-award, recipients must submit annual and final performance and financial reports, develop data management plans, and conduct mid-term evaluations. CDC provides substantial involvement, offering technical assistance and ensuring alignment with Zambia’s national HIV response strategies. Key activities include capacity building, quality assurance, and the implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) projects.

This funding opportunity represents a critical effort to support Zambia's health infrastructure and reduce the impact of HIV and TB. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the NOFO and ensure all necessary registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov are completed well in advance of the submission deadline. For more information, the CDC encourages applicants to use provided resources and contacts.