USAID: The Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project

Deadline: 28-Mar-21

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project with an aim to bridge gaps and reduce barriers among R&D, regulatory approval, introduction, access, and scale-up of close-to-market products through program research and country engagement activities that identify and address obstacles, gaps, and bottlenecks that delay timely access to new prevention technologies and their resulting impact.

The USAID Microbicide Program Strategy provides a framework for these and future activities with a Vision in which women, especially AGYW, have access to an optimal selection of HIV prevention products that are safe, effective, acceptable, and affordable, including multipurpose technologies that prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unintended pregnancy as well as HIV.

Objective of the USAID Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project

The Objective of the Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project is to ensure that women can prevent HIV acquisition by accelerating the introduction and scale-up of biomedical products for HIV prevention, especially those products that are new or for which regulatory approval is imminent, and to expedite their availability, acceptance, uptake, and impact in PEPFAR programs.

To achieve this Objective, the Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project will prioritize support to expedite the introduction of new, innovative, and high-impact HIV prevention products that respond to the needs of women, including AGYW, at greatest likelihood of HIV acquisition, as well as the needs of HIV prevention service delivery programs supported through PEPFAR. These HIV prevention products will need to be reliable and affordable, with attributes that women want, and available at prices that will allow countries to procure and program them without continued donor support. By bridging the gap between regulatory approval and scale-up of such new and existing prevention products and approaches, The Project outcomes are anticipated to 6 contribute significantly to controlling the HIV epidemic. The Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project will also build on the USAID strategic pillars of respecting American taxpayer investments, advancing national security, and advancing countries on their Journey to SelfReliance (J2SR).

Achieving the Objective of the Microbicide 2021 Introduction and Access Project will require targeted approaches that effectively address each of the interrelated technical, programmatic, and operational elements identified below.

Technical, Programmatic, and Operational Elements

Establish a “Product Introduction and Access Consortium”
Facilitate a Product Access Advisory Committee (PAAC)
Provide Leadership, Collaboration, and Coordination
Ensure Complementarity and Integration
Engage Local and New Partners
Integrate Gender Considerations
Leverage Private Sector Engagement
Strengthen Sustainability and Self-Reliance
Increase Knowledge Management and Research Utilization
Conduct Product Introduction Research
- Focus on Target Population
- Prioritize HIV Prevention Products for AGYW and Other Women
- Increase Product Uptake and Adherence
- Generate and Sustain Demand
- Characterize Viral Resistance to ARVs
- Assess and Mitigate Risks of GBV, including IPV, Associated with Using HIV
- Prevention Products
- Address Supply Chain Research and Support
- Support Policy Development
- Expedite Research Translation
- Understand the Role of Male Partners

Funding Information

USAID intends to provide up to $85 million in total USAID funding over a five-year period.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is not restricted.
This NOFO is issued worldwide as a public notice to ensure that all interested and qualified organizations have a fair opportunity to submit applications for funding.
The anticipated Cooperative Agreement will be fully competed and competition is unrestricted.
U.S. and non-US organizations, non-profit, or for-profit entities may participate under this NOFO.
Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply.
Each Recipient must be a responsible entity.
USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously worked with the Agency.
Eligible Applicants include the following:
- Non-Governmental Organizations – Qualified and registered U.S. and non-U.S. private nonprofit organizations may apply for USAID funding under this NOFO. Foreign government-owned parastatal organizations from countries those are ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA) or related appropriations acts are ineligible for award.
- For-Profit Organizations – Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. for-profit organizations may apply for USAID funding under this NOFO.
- Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO) – A local or indigenous PVO, which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO operating in the same foreign country in which it is organized, that is not already registered with USAID is eligible to receive funding, however, such organizations are encouraged to consider registration.
- New Partners – USAID encourages applications from new partners.
- Local Organizations and Sub-Agreements – Local organizations (lead host-country investigators or institutions) may enter into sub-agreements with technical assistance providers locally or based in other countries including the United States.
- Colleges and Universities – Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities may apply for funding under this NOFO.