Exploring Preferences for Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapies (LA-ART) in a Community-Based Sample of Priority Populations Living with HIV Who are Disproportionately Affected | RFA PS 23 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA PS 23 003

This funding opportunity (RFA PS 23 003) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is focused on understanding how cis-gender Black women living with HIV view long-acting antiretroviral therapies (LA-ART), including what makes these therapies appealing, what concerns or obstacles might prevent use, and what kinds of supports would make uptake more realistic in everyday life. The core goal is formative, community-informed research that captures the lived experiences behind treatment decisions, especially for a population that continues to face disproportionate HIV-related health inequities. By centering cis-gender Black women with HIV, the opportunity aims to generate practical insights that can inform how LA-ART is communicated, offered, and delivered in ways that fit peoples realities rather than assuming one-size-fits-all solutions.

A key feature of the announcement is the expectation that applicants use qualitative research methods. The CDC is explicitly looking for approaches like in-depth interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative designs that can surface the nuance behind decision-making, including personal circumstances and contextual factors that are hard to measure through surveys alone. This includes exploring how participants weigh potential benefits (such as reduced pill burden, privacy, convenience, or fewer daily reminders of HIV status) against possible drawbacks (such as concerns about injections, clinic visit schedules, side effects, mistrust due to past experiences, stigma, transportation barriers, childcare needs, work constraints, or fears about confidentiality). The opportunity emphasizes capturing both barriers and facilitators, meaning it is not only about what is going wrong, but also what is already working and could be strengthened or scaled.

The announcement also highlights the importance of identifying supports needed at multiple levels. On the individual level, this could involve educational needs, decision-support tools, or counseling that addresses specific worries and preferences. On the system level, it could involve clinic workflow changes, culturally responsive care practices, staff training, flexible scheduling, integration with supportive services, or policies that reduce logistical burdens. The intent is to produce findings that are directly useful for improving access and delivery, not just descriptive. In other words, the research is meant to point toward concrete steps health systems and community partners can take so that LA-ART is genuinely accessible and acceptable to cis-gender Black women living with HIV.

The public health rationale is tied to adherence and viral suppression. The CDC notes that the findings are expected to help strengthen adherence to antiretroviral therapy for this population and ultimately reduce racial and ethnic disparities in viral suppression outcomes. Because LA-ART may change the day-to-day demands of treatment, understanding who sees it as a good fit, who does not, and why, is positioned as a necessary step before broader implementation efforts can be effective and equitable. The emphasis on community-based perspectives signals that the CDC wants knowledge grounded in real-world experience, including the structural and social factors that shape health choices.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which generally means the CDC anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during the project rather than a fully hands-off grant. The opportunity falls under the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.084). Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; tribal governments and tribal organizations; public housing authorities; and for-profit organizations (including small businesses). The award ceiling is $333,000, with one expected award. The notice was created January 12, 2023, with an original application closing date of March 20, 2023, and electronically submitted applications due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the due date.

Overall, the opportunity is designed to fill a specific knowledge gap: how cis-gender Black women living with HIV think about long-acting treatment options, what practical and social conditions shape their willingness or ability to use LA-ART, and what changes in services or systems could make these therapies more feasible. The expected payoff is actionable, equity-focused guidance that can improve treatment adherence and reduce persistent disparities in viral suppression by aligning LA-ART delivery with the priorities and lived realities of the people most affected.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploring Preferences for Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapies (LA-ART) in a Community-Based Sample of Priority Populations Living with HIV Who are Disproportionately Affected" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 12, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 pm ET on the listed application due date.. (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 $333,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for RFA PS 23 003

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: