The funding opportunity RFA-PS-25-113, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is titled "Develop and Test HIV Prevention Interventions for Black and Hispanic Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Substances." It is a cooperative agreement program under the activity code U01, designed to support research that develops and tests behavioral implementation strategies for biomedical interventions, such as oral PrEP and condoms. The program focuses on improving HIV and STI prevention among populations disproportionately affected by HIV, specifically Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino men who have sex with men who report substance use, including drugs or alcohol.

The research funded under this program must meet minimum evidence-based criteria for inclusion in the CDC Compendium of Best Evidence Interventions. This includes the use of randomized control trial design, retaining at least 60 percent of participants at follow-up, and a minimum sample size of 40 participants per study arm for outcome analysis. The work must be conducted in jurisdictions identified under the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, aligning with national efforts such as the HIV National Strategic Plan for 2021 through 2025.

The total funding available for this program is two million eight hundred fifty thousand dollars over a three-year performance period. CDC anticipates making up to two awards, each with annual funding of four hundred seventy-five thousand dollars per recipient. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local governments, tribal organizations, and other relevant entities. Each institution may submit up to two applications, focusing separately on either Black men who have sex with men or Hispanic men who have sex with men. Proposals cannot combine both target populations within a single application.

Applications must demonstrate a clear rationale, cultural competence, and formative research plans that address the psychosocial complexities of the target populations. Research proposals should include partnerships with community organizations and health departments to ensure feasibility and scalability. Additionally, applicants must submit a data management plan, single IRB plan if applicable, and a strategy for disseminating findings to relevant stakeholders. Proposals will also be evaluated based on their potential to inform implementation strategies for biomedical HIV prevention interventions.

The deadline for applications is February 20, 2025, with a project start date estimated for September 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent by January 20, 2025, to facilitate CDC planning. Applications must adhere to specific formatting requirements, page limits, and submission instructions outlined in the funding announcement. Compliance with CDC policies, including human subjects protections and reporting requirements, is mandatory for all awardees. For additional assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact the designated program and financial representatives at the CDC.