Strengthening Systems Capacity in Laos to Increase Utilization of High-Quality HIV Diagnosis and Treatment Services by Priority Populations under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | CDC RFA GH16 1657

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA GH16 1657

The grant opportunity titled "Strengthening Systems Capacity in Laos to Increase Utilization of High-Quality HIV Diagnosis and Treatment Services by Priority Populations under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)" is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding announcement focused on improving Laos' ability to deliver effective HIV and TB services through stronger national and subnational health systems. The core intent is not simply to fund direct service delivery in isolation, but to reinforce the underlying systems that make sustained, high-quality HIV diagnosis, treatment, and related TB services possible, especially for populations most affected by HIV. The overarching public health goal is to reduce new HIV infections and lower illness and deaths associated with both HIV and tuberculosis in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, in line with PEPFAR priorities and national Ministry of Health (MOH) objectives.

This opportunity was released as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient would be expected to work closely with CDC throughout implementation. Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial involvement by the funding agency in areas like technical direction, monitoring and evaluation expectations, and coordination with national strategies. In practical terms, the award would likely emphasize alignment with MOH leadership and existing country plans, and would prioritize capacity-building approaches that remain in place after the award ends. The MOH is explicitly identified in the description as the key national counterpart, indicating the work is intended to strengthen government-led systems rather than create parallel structures.

The program focus is on "strengthening systems capacity" to increase utilization of high-quality HIV diagnosis and treatment services, particularly by priority populations. While the announcement text provided is brief, this kind of CDC/PEPFAR systems-strengthening award commonly centers on elements such as improving service delivery models and referral networks, strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic quality, enhancing clinical mentoring and continuous quality improvement, reinforcing supply chain and commodity management to avoid stockouts, supporting surveillance and strategic information systems, and improving program management and coordination across HIV and TB platforms. Because TB is highlighted alongside HIV, the work is also aimed at reinforcing the integrated response to HIV/TB co-infection, which often includes better TB screening among people living with HIV, linkage to TB diagnosis and treatment, and coordinated case management.

The funding opportunity number is CDC RFA GH16-1657, and the CFDA program number listed is 93.067, which corresponds to CDC global health assistance programming. The ceiling amount for the award was $175,000, with an expectation of a single award. That size and structure suggests a targeted, focused project aimed at specific capacity gaps, technical assistance, or system improvements rather than a large-scale nationwide service expansion. The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," which typically signals eligibility beyond only U.S. state/local governments or universities and may include non-governmental organizations, non-profits, and other entities that meet CDC requirements, though the announcement does not specify further in the provided text.

Administratively, the opportunity was created on 2016-02-05 and had an original closing date of 2016-04-05. The sponsoring agency is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health (CDC - CGH). In summary, this grant competition sought one implementing partner to collaborate with CDC and the Lao Ministry of Health to strengthen the systems needed to improve access to and use of high-quality HIV diagnostic and treatment services, while also supporting the combined HIV/TB response, with the ultimate aim of reducing HIV and TB incidence, illness, and mortality in Laos.

• The Centers for Disease Control - CGH in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Systems Capacity in Laos to Increase Utilization of High-Quality HIV Diagnosis and Treatment Services by Priority Populations under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.067.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-02-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-04-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $175,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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