Notice of Funding Opportunity PS-23-005: Expanding Rapid Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Non-traditional Settings: Emergency Department

This website is designed to:

• Support the application process for health departments applying for Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) PS-23-005, and
• Provide a forum for the dissemination of important information to potential applicants.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement is available at www.grants.gov. The view the entire announcement go to www.grants.gov and click on the “Search Grants” tab. Then enter  “RFA-PS-23-005” into the “Basic Search Criteria-Opportunity Announcement. To learn more about the CDC application process, visit grants.gov How to Apply for Grants webpage.

Executive Summary

Immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is now recommended for anyone newly diagnosed with HIV, regardless of CD4 count. The rapid ART model, defined as immediate diagnosis, linkage to care, and ART initiation on the same day as a new HIV diagnosis or return to care, should offer an accelerated entry into HIV medical care. Rapid ART confers a higher rate of engagement in care, reduces the time to viral suppression, and improves morbidity and mortality in people with HIV (PWH).  The emergency department (ED) offers a unique setting to immediately engage with patients who are not accessing HIV care services. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will support implementation research on the rapid or immediate initiation of HIV antiretroviral therapy for persons newly diagnosed with HIV or for PWH returning to care in emergency department settings. The implementation research supported by this funding will deploy rapid ART models in ED settings and evaluate acceptability, perceived barriers and facilitators, feasibility, sustainability, and HIV care continuum outcomes. Applied research resulting from this funding is expected to decrease HIV infections and quickly achieve viral suppression among PWH. This research is aligned with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative “Treat” Pillar.

Purpose

The purpose of this NOFO is to support research to investigate how to deploy and optimize rapid ART delivery in emergency departments that are currently routinely screening for HIV infection. Emergency departments offer a unique opportunity to immediately engage with newly diagnosed patients to initiate ART and provide linkage to an HIV provider in the community. This research may help determine whether HIV testing and rapid ART in EDs can improve engagement, linkage and retention in care, and viral suppression among newly diagnosed people with HIV (PWH), as well as those previously diagnosed with HIV but who are not engaged in care.

Application is due on 03/22/2023. Please direct questions to Jocelyn Patterson Mosley, MPH, MA, Scientific/Research Contact JPatterson@cdc.gov, 404-639-6437.