Innovation Grants for Community-Led HIV Prevention and Testing

The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Innovation Grant provides USD 40,000–70,000 to support community-led projects that improve HIV prevention and care for key populations across the Caribbean. The initiative funds locally driven, innovative solutions that address barriers such as stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence while promoting scalable, evidence-based interventions.

Overview of the Initiative

The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Innovation Grant is designed to support community-led responses to HIV prevention in the Caribbean. Funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and implemented by the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, the Caribbean Organization of Implementing Partners, and PANCAP, the program prioritizes innovative, practical solutions that improve access to HIV services for key populations.

Key populations include:

• Sex workers

• Men who have sex with men

• Transgender individuals

• Migrants

• People who use drugs

• Individuals in prisons

Despite regional progress, these groups face stigma, criminalization, gender-based violence, and fear when accessing public health services, limiting HIV testing, prevention, and care.

Purpose and Goals

The Innovation Grants aim to:

• Strengthen community-led HIV prevention and care services

• Reduce barriers related to stigma, discrimination, and criminalization

• Support scalable and evidence-based models for national adoption

• Promote person-centered, tailored services for key populations

• Foster equitable and sustainable access to HIV prevention tools

By placing communities at the center, the initiative encourages locally driven innovation that directly responds to real-world implementation challenges.

Grant Funding Details

• Grant amount: USD 40,000–70,000 per project

• Funding is delivered through results-based contracting, which emphasizes measurable outcomes while minimizing administrative burden

• Grants are intended to transform promising ideas into evidence-based, scalable interventions

Who Is Eligible

Eligible applicants must:

• Be legally registered in one of the following countries: Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, or Suriname

• Be civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), or community-led organizations working directly with key populations

Priority Criteria

Projects are prioritized if they:

• Demonstrate community-led innovation

• Address barriers to HIV service access

• Propose solutions with potential for scaling at the national level

Focus Areas for Proposed Projects

Projects must address at least one of the following core HIV service delivery areas:

• Expanding access to HIV testing and improving linkage to care

• Enhancing access to and adherence to PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

• Delivering comprehensive, person-centered HIV and STI prevention services tailored to the needs of key populations

Proposals should clearly outline how the intervention will be implemented, its expected outcomes, and strategies for sustainability.

How the Grant Works

1. Application Submission – Organizations submit project proposals detailing innovation, methodology, and impact

2. Evaluation and Selection – Applications are assessed for feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with program goals

3. Results-Based Funding – Grants are awarded with accountability mechanisms focusing on outcomes rather than administrative processes

4. Implementation and Monitoring – Organizations execute projects with support and oversight to ensure measurable impact

5. Evidence Generation – Successful projects produce data and models for potential scaling at the national or regional level

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Innovation Grant is critical because it:

• Supports locally developed solutions to barriers in HIV prevention

• Promotes equity and inclusivity for marginalized populations

• Encourages community ownership of health interventions

• Generates scalable models that inform policy and practice

• Strengthens the capacity of organizations to deliver high-impact, sustainable HIV services

By funding community-driven innovation, the initiative aims to transform how HIV prevention services are designed, delivered, and experienced across the Caribbean.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on practical, community-driven solutions

• Demonstrate knowledge of key populations’ needs and barriers

• Clearly articulate measurable outcomes and impact

• Highlight potential for scaling and sustainability

• Emphasize collaboration with local stakeholders and community members

• Ensure compliance with legal registration and organizational requirements

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects without clear community engagement

• Ignoring the focus on key populations or HIV service delivery

• Failing to define measurable outcomes or impact indicators

• Submitting incomplete or ineligible organizational documentation

• Overlooking sustainability and scalability considerations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for the Innovation Grant?

Civil society, community-based, and community-led organizations legally registered in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, or Suriname.

What is the funding range?

USD 40,000 to USD 70,000 per project.

What types of projects are eligible?

Projects must focus on HIV prevention and care for key populations, including testing, PrEP/PEP access, or comprehensive HIV/STI services.

How is funding administered?

Through results-based contracting, emphasizing accountability and measurable outcomes while reducing administrative burden.

Are collaborative projects encouraged?

Yes. Projects that involve partnerships with other community organizations or stakeholders are encouraged.

What are the key populations targeted?

Sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, migrants, people who use drugs, and incarcerated individuals.

What is the main goal of the program?

To support community-led innovation that increases equitable, sustainable access to HIV prevention and care across the Caribbean.

Conclusion

The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Innovation Grant empowers local organizations to create practical, scalable, and evidence-based solutions to HIV prevention challenges. By centering community leadership and addressing barriers faced by key populations, the program strengthens health outcomes, promotes equity, and fosters sustainable, impactful change across the Caribbean.