Microbicides Research, Development, and Introduction
Description
Grant Amount: USAID anticipates awarding up to 3 cooperative agreements and obligating a maximum combined ceiling of $2,250,000.00 over the three-year period for the three agreements.
This APS is intended to support the creative research and other innovative activities that are now essential to advance potential microbicides toward regulatory approval and then to successfully introduce them into delivery programs. Attaining these objectives will fill a critical gap in the options women and girls currently have to protect themselves from HIV infection.
This APS focuses on the following three Objectives: (1) Developing and implementing a comprehensive advocacy strategy for microbicide introduction in selected African countries: Prior experience with other HIV/AIDS prevention approaches has demonstrated the crucial need for effective advocacy and it is expected that this will be true for microbicide introduction as well. USAID will support the development of advocacy strategies and tools to support microbicide introduction as well as their particular adaptation for use in selected countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Engaging key stakeholders at various levels, e.g., nationally and locally, and at the appropriate times, may be critical as part of a comprehensive approach, and may include outreach to civil society, the media, and professional associations, among others.
(2) Outreach to media professionals engaged in the research, development, and introduction of microbicides to optimize information sharing and responsiveness to the public: Media coverage regarding microbicide research has often been disseminated very quickly and sometimes with inaccuracies. This may hold true as microbicide introduction advances in the future, as well. USAID will support effective mechanisms for information sharing that will facilitate timely dissemination of relevant facts and accurate media coverage to benefit all parties involved, e.g., research organizations, donor agencies, the media, and the public.
(3) Provide programmatic and operational support for an external and inter-disciplinary microbicide access and introduction stakeholder group: With appropriate programmatic and operational support, an external and interdisciplinary microbicide access and introduction stakeholder group will be convened by USAID for the purpose of catalyzing thinking and action in support of microbicide introduction, with an initial focus on 1% tenofovir gel (TFV gel). This stakeholder group will expand beyond the current circle of product R&D to provide input on needed activities, define issues and priorities, exchange information, debate and discuss options, and sustain momentum toward the successful introduction of microbicides in early-adopter countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Note that this group is not intended to be a consensus-defining body or to have decision-making authority regarding specific activities. Programmatic and operational support is needed to ensure that this external group can (a) build an informed, active, and influential constituency, (b) identify challenges and the approaches through which they can be addressed, (c) ensure strong representation, particularly from countries likely to be early microbicide adopters, and (d) educate and inform policymakers and communities in selected countries to garner support for microbicide access.
Funding Organization
US Agency for International Development Bureau for Global Health
Fund Category
STD
Support Types
Cooperative Agreements
Locations
International National
Eligible Organizations
Commercial Organizations Community Based Organizations Consortia Foundations International Agencies Nonprofit Organizations Professional Organizations Religious Organizations
Number of Awards Given
up to 3 awards
Award Amount Notes
This APS is open for 3 years. USAID anticipates awarding up to 3 cooperative agreements and obligating a maximum combined ceiling of $2,250,000.00 over the three-year period for the three agreements.
Application Due Date
8/24/2012 -- 1st Round Concept Paper due; submit questions regarding this APS, electronically to Kathleen Bumpass, Agreement Specialist (kbumpass@usaid.gov) and Kathlyn Bryant, Agreement Officer (kbryant@usaid.gov) on or before 8/8/2012.
Kathlyn Bryant Agreement Officer USAIDOfc of Acquisition & Assistance M/OAA/GH/OHA
Fund Duration
Up to 3 years.
Subjects
Clinical Trials HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Programs Risk Reduction Women
Audiences
Researchers
Application Process
The application process will be completed in two steps, in which applicants first submit a Concept Paper meeting the requirements. The Concept Paper will be reviewed for responsiveness to the Objectives and then scored according to the specific criteria indicated in Section V of the APS. Selected applicants will then be requested by the USAID Agreement Officer to submit a Full Application which must meet the requirements and any additional instructions from the Agreement Officer. Note: Do NOT submit a Full Application unless and until requested to do so by USAID. Instructions from the Agreement Officer will include a deadline for the submission of the Full Application. The Full Application will offer the applicant an opportunity to explain the technical approach in more detail and will be scored according to the specific criteria also indicated in Section V of the APS.
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