Available Funding
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is pleased to announce the availability of funding for small awards to support projects that address HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM). Frontline organizations and collaborations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are encouraged to submit relevant proposals. Proposals for general operating support will not be considered. Deadline : February 3th, 2010
amfAR’s MSM Initiative seeks to fund innovative HIV/AIDS-related community-based projects that increase access to HIV/AIDS services among MSM. These may include direct health services (e.g., prevention, treatment, and care), policy-oriented projects, and/or research projects. Projects may include research or programming targeted towards reaching hidden MSM communities or MSM who do not identify as gay, working with more open GBT communities, and/or engaging allies. Emphasis will be placed on innovative approaches that are sustainable beyond amfAR funding, and projects that include (or have the potential to inform) regional or international advocacy activities. Demonstrated involvement of MSM in project design, development, implementation, and evaluation is highly recommended.
Individual organizations are eligible for awards of up to $15,000 USD.
Collaborations are eligible for awards of up to $30,000 USD. Please see the Eligibility and Qualifications section below for the Initiative’s definition of “collaboration.”
Only one application may be submitted per organization or collaboration.
It is anticipated that funding recommendations will be announced in April 2010. Organizations that are approved for awards can expect to receive funds to begin activities as early as May 2010.
Background and Areas of Interest
amfAR, in partnership with the Global Forum on MSM & HIV and UNAIDS, has identified three global objectives for the MSM Initiative:
• Supporting frontline organizations and collaborations working to address HIV among MSM;
• Supporting effective policies and increased public funding for HIV prevention and treatment efforts among MSM;
• Supporting research to build understanding of HIV epidemics and interventions among MSM.
The Initiative’s core program components are:
• Funding innovative projects that provide targeted support for MSM already infected or at risk for HIV;
• Advocacy and communications support at global, regional, and national levels to generate media attention, build public awareness, promote positive policy changes, and mobilize resources for programs that serve and improve conditions for MSM.
Intended outcomes of the MSM Initiative include:
• Prevention: including increased reports of safer sex and condom use among MSM;
• Health indicators: e.g., reduced HIV incidence and decreased morbidity among MSM due to HIV, STIs, TB, hepatitis, mental health issues, and substance use;
• Policy: including changes in funding, programs, program practices, policies, legislation, regulations, decisions, standards, and stated values related to HIV and MSM.
The MSM Initiative and its partners aim to support sustained programmatic efforts and therefore have an interest in supporting strong organizational management structures, individual leaders, and involvement of MSM communities and other constituents. The MSM Initiative will provide support for organizational development as long as this is project-related and linked to long-term goals related to MSM and HIV.
Further information about the MSM Initiative can be found at www.amfar.org/msm.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Awards will be made only to organizations that are the equivalent of U.S. tax-exempt charity/nonprofit organizations, (e.g., NGOs, CBOs, charities, and other frontline organizations formed for a charitable purpose, such as education or access to healthcare information and services) or to a U.S.-based tax-exempt charity/nonprofit organization that is serving in a supporting role working with the frontline organization that will implement the proposed project. Successful applicant organizations will be comprised of MSM/LGBT community members and/or have established linkages to MSM/LGBT communities and experience directly involving those communities in the development and implementation of programs and activities. Applicants must have demonstrated organizational capacity to carry out the proposed activities and effectively manage award funds. Proposals will not be accepted from governmental units or organizations, for-profit entities, individuals, or applicant organizations that do not meet the eligibility criteria identified above.
Partner Organizations
A partnership is a relationship between an eligible organization and one that is newly formed. Such partnerships allow organizations that would not otherwise meet the eligibility criteria to develop capacity and access funding for an approved project. Partner proposals should describe in detail all technical support the applicant will provide to the sponsored partner. Clearly delineate budgetary allocations between partners, and in the project narrative include the plan for the sponsoring partner’s oversight of expenditures and project implementation.
Collaborations
“Collaborations” are cooperative efforts between two or more separate organizations in multiple locations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia engaged in a single project or a set of clearly interrelated projects. The activities of each collaborator should be integral to and enhance the project as a whole. Each organization (the lead and collaborators) should have clearly defined and necessary roles in project development and implementation. Multiple locations of one single organization are not considered a collaboration. The MSM Initiative is especially interested in collaborations that are regional in nature, i.e., projects that engage MSM populations in different countries or significantly different regions/populations within a country. However, strong collaborations that are local in nature will also be considered. Proposals from collaborations should be submitted by a lead organization that meets the eligibility criteria outlined above and will take responsibility for disbursement of funds, project coordination, and reporting. Reviewers will be asked to determine whether or not all collaborators have clearly defined and necessary roles in the proposed project.
Previous Award Recipients
Organizations that received an MSM Initiative Community Award in previous funding years are eligible to submit an application for continued funding. Applications from current MSM Initiative award recipients should include a summary of work completed and achievements resulting from previous amfAR award(s).
Forms and Instructions
Please use the links below to download a copy of this RFP, the application form, and instructions. Please read the instructions thoroughly as they contain the information necessary for the proper preparation and submission of a proposal.
Applications may be submitted in English and Russian. For applications in a language other than English, amfAR requires that an English translation also be submitted, even an approximate translation such as one made using an internet translation engine. Both the original language and the translated versions will be provided to community peer reviewers.
Applicants are required to provide the names and contact information of at least three external (i.e., independent, non-interested) references. Letters of support or other attachments from references are not requested and should not be submitted. References may or may not be contacted as part of the proposal review.
Application forms (to be used by all applicants)
Application instructions (PDF)
Sample application (PDF)
Application Submission
E-mail submission (preferred)
E-mail the completed application as an attachment to:
msm.awards@amfar.org
Hard copy submission
Send by mail or courier to:
amfAR / MSM Initiative Community Awards
120 Wall Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10005-3908 USA
Please remember to mail or ship hard copy submissions with adequate time for delivery by deadline.
All applications (e-mail or hard copy) must be received no later than: 3 February 2010, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC 22:00)
Deadlines are strictly observed. Applications that are received late, are incomplete, or exceed page limitations (see instructions) will not be reviewed. Proposals may include citations, listed references, and curricula vitae for key personnel. Web links to important documents and articles may be listed, but they should not be included as physical attachments.
Please e-mail msm.awards@amfar.org if you have questions about this RFP or the application requirements.
More info HERE