Available Funding
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research is pleased to announce new funding for projects that address HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Africa. Grassroots organizations in low and middle income African countries are encouraged to submit relevant proposals. Funds for this round of awards are made available through the generous support of Aids Fonds. Each organization may apply for an award of up to $20,000 USD to support project-related costs for up to 12 months. Only one application may be submitted per organization. Proposals for general operating support will not be considered.
Approximately $130,000 is available for this round of awards in Africa; amfAR anticipates funding from six to eight proposals. Funding recommendations will be announced in January 2011. Organizations that are approved for awards can expect to receive funds to begin activities as early as March 2011.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The MSM Initiative was begun by amfAR is 2007 and benefits from collaboration with the UNDP, UNAIDS, the Global Forum on MSM & HIV, and many other partners. The MSM Initiative’s community awards program seeks to address HIV among MSM by supporting the planning and delivery of prevention, treatment, care, and support services; policy, advocacy, and human rights efforts; and community-led research. The term “MSM” describes a broad range of male-male sexual behaviors and identities, each with specific cultural contexts and with specific HIV risks, prevention strategies, and needs related to access and rights; included in amfAR’s definition of MSM are transgendered persons. amfAR’s MSM Initiative provides vital support to grassroots MSM efforts that are committed to serving individuals whose needs have often been ignored. For more information about the MSM Initiative, visit http://www.amfar.org/msm/.
Areas of Interest
This RFP solicits proposals for innovative HIV/AIDS-related, community-led projects that increase access to HIV/AIDS services among MSM. These may include:
The MSM Initiative will provide support for organizational development activities if they are directly related to the project and linked to longer-term goals related to MSM and HIV.
Previous Award Recipients
Organizations that received an MSM Initiative award in current and previous funding years are eligible to submit an application for continued funding if their total annual operating budget is under $1 million USD. Applications from current MSM Initiative award recipients should include a summary of work completed to date and accomplishments resulting from amfAR funding, as well as details of how the organization plans to build upon successes or challenges from prior awards.
Sponsor Organizations
Grassroots groups that are not yet formally registered may consider partnering with a “sponsor” organization that is eligible to receive funding. The sponsor organization would receive and manage funds, provide general oversight for execution of the funded project, and potentially provide technical support to the applicant. In such cases, the non-registered organization should apply directly. However, the application should clearly identify the sponsor organization, describe in detail all technical support that the sponsor will provide (including monitoring and oversight of expenditures), and include a letter of agreement from the sponsor.
Review Process
Funding decisions will be based upon recommendations generated by community-based peer review involving experts in the region who share the same or similar expertise, perspectives, and focus on MSM and HIV work as the applicants. Applications from current MSM Initiative award recipients will be prioritized for review when their proposals clearly build on accomplishments from previous years. However, the peer review panel will consider all applications competitively in making final funding recommendations.
In making funding decisions, the MSM Initiative will advise peer reviewers to identify and prioritize:
Please use the links below to download a copy of this RFP, the application form, and instructions. Please read all of the instructions carefully as they contain the information necessary for the proper preparation and submission of a successful proposal.
Applications may be submitted in English or French. For application and budget and justification forms 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 (e.g., Google translate). Copies of both the original language version of the proposal and the translated English version will be provided to community peer reviewers. Please make sure your submission includes the original language version of your proposal.
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of at least three external references who are familiar with the organization and its work but who are not affiliated with the organization or the project for which funding is requested. Please do not include letters of support or other documents from your references. References may or may not be contacted as part of the proposal review.
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:
5 October 2010, 5:00 p.m. in New York City, USA (GMT/UTC 21:00)
Deadlines are strictly observed. Applications that are received late, are incomplete, or exceed page or budget limitations (see instructions) will not be reviewed. Proposals may include citations, listed references, and resumes (curricula vitae) for key personnel. Web links to important documents and articles may be listed, but they should not be included as physical attachments.
Applicants are encouraged to e-mail msm.awards@amfar.org if they have any questions or seek advice about this RFP, program design, or the application requirements.
More info:
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research is pleased to announce new funding for projects that address HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Africa. Grassroots organizations in low and middle income African countries are encouraged to submit relevant proposals. Funds for this round of awards are made available through the generous support of Aids Fonds. Each organization may apply for an award of up to $20,000 USD to support project-related costs for up to 12 months. Only one application may be submitted per organization. Proposals for general operating support will not be considered.
Approximately $130,000 is available for this round of awards in Africa; amfAR anticipates funding from six to eight proposals. Funding recommendations will be announced in January 2011. Organizations that are approved for awards can expect to receive funds to begin activities as early as March 2011.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
- Community-based organizations in Africa (click here to see list of eligible countries);
- Charity or nonprofit organizations (e.g., NGOs, CBOs, and other charitable organizations) that are the equivalent of U.S. tax-exempt organizations;
- Organizations comprised of MSM/LGBT community members and/or that have established links to MSM/LGBT communities and experience directly involving members of those communities in the development and implementation of programs and activities;
- Organizations with strong management and leadership;
- Organizations with capacity to carry out the proposed activities and effectively manage award funds.
- Individuals;
- Government organizations or units;
- For-profit organizations;
- Organizations based outside Africa;
- Organizations with annual operating budgets of more than $1 million USD;
- Organizations that do not involve members of the MSM/LGBT community in the development and implementation of programs and activities.
The MSM Initiative was begun by amfAR is 2007 and benefits from collaboration with the UNDP, UNAIDS, the Global Forum on MSM & HIV, and many other partners. The MSM Initiative’s community awards program seeks to address HIV among MSM by supporting the planning and delivery of prevention, treatment, care, and support services; policy, advocacy, and human rights efforts; and community-led research. The term “MSM” describes a broad range of male-male sexual behaviors and identities, each with specific cultural contexts and with specific HIV risks, prevention strategies, and needs related to access and rights; included in amfAR’s definition of MSM are transgendered persons. amfAR’s MSM Initiative provides vital support to grassroots MSM efforts that are committed to serving individuals whose needs have often been ignored. For more information about the MSM Initiative, visit http://www.amfar.org/msm/.
Areas of Interest
This RFP solicits proposals for innovative HIV/AIDS-related, community-led projects that increase access to HIV/AIDS services among MSM. These may include:
- Direct services/interventions for MSM:
- Prevention, including outreach, psycho-social support, social marketing and other innovative strategies;
- Direct health services (e.g., HIV counseling and testing, treatment and care); - Policy, advocacy, and rights-based projects;
- Community-led research projects; and/or
- A combination of prevention, direct health services, advocacy, and/or research.
- Gay and bisexual men who are relatively open about their sexual orientation;
- Transgender individuals;
- Networks of hidden MSM or MSM who do not identify as gay; and/or
- Non-MSM/LGBT organizations, public institutions, or individuals that need to better understand and be sensitive to the unique needs of MSM, and/or organizations that can serve as strong allies in helping to ensure increased access to HIV services for MSM.
The MSM Initiative will provide support for organizational development activities if they are directly related to the project and linked to longer-term goals related to MSM and HIV.
Previous Award Recipients
Organizations that received an MSM Initiative award in current and previous funding years are eligible to submit an application for continued funding if their total annual operating budget is under $1 million USD. Applications from current MSM Initiative award recipients should include a summary of work completed to date and accomplishments resulting from amfAR funding, as well as details of how the organization plans to build upon successes or challenges from prior awards.
Sponsor Organizations
Grassroots groups that are not yet formally registered may consider partnering with a “sponsor” organization that is eligible to receive funding. The sponsor organization would receive and manage funds, provide general oversight for execution of the funded project, and potentially provide technical support to the applicant. In such cases, the non-registered organization should apply directly. However, the application should clearly identify the sponsor organization, describe in detail all technical support that the sponsor will provide (including monitoring and oversight of expenditures), and include a letter of agreement from the sponsor.
Review Process
Funding decisions will be based upon recommendations generated by community-based peer review involving experts in the region who share the same or similar expertise, perspectives, and focus on MSM and HIV work as the applicants. Applications from current MSM Initiative award recipients will be prioritized for review when their proposals clearly build on accomplishments from previous years. However, the peer review panel will consider all applications competitively in making final funding recommendations.
In making funding decisions, the MSM Initiative will advise peer reviewers to identify and prioritize:
- Projects that have the potential for successful implementation and significant impact;
- Projects that are relevant to HIV/AIDS among MSM;
- Projects that relate to existing national HIV/AIDS strategies and/or other HIV/MSM activities happening in- country;
- Projects that are sustainable and have potential for replication by other groups
- Community-based efforts, meaning that the applicant organization’s governance and leadership is strongly representative of the MSM/LGBT populations that would benefit from funded activities;
- Organizations with documented experience with MSM/LGBT populations and successful HIV/AIDS interventions, research, and/or policy work; and
- Cost-effective budgets that are realistic for the proposed activities.
Please use the links below to download a copy of this RFP, the application form, and instructions. Please read all of the instructions carefully as they contain the information necessary for the proper preparation and submission of a successful proposal.
Applications may be submitted in English or French. For application and budget and justification forms 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 (e.g., Google translate). Copies of both the original language version of the proposal and the translated English version will be provided to community peer reviewers. Please make sure your submission includes the original language version of your proposal.
Applicants must provide the names and contact information of at least three external references who are familiar with the organization and its work but who are not affiliated with the organization or the project for which funding is requested. Please do not include letters of support or other documents from your references. References may or may not be contacted as part of the proposal review.
- Application form/Formulaire de demande (in English; to be used by all applicants/en anglais; pour tous les candidats) (Microsoft Word document)
- Budget and justification form/Formulaire pour le budget et la justification (in English; to be used by all applicants/en anglais; pour tous les candidats) (Microsoft Excel document)
- RFP (PDF document)
- Demande de proposition (document PDF)
- Application instructions (PDF)
- Instructions pour remplir la demande (PDF)
- Sample application (PDF)
- Exemple de demande (PDF)
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:
5 October 2010, 5:00 p.m. in New York City, USA (GMT/UTC 21:00)
Deadlines are strictly observed. Applications that are received late, are incomplete, or exceed page or budget limitations (see instructions) will not be reviewed. Proposals may include citations, listed references, and resumes (curricula vitae) for key personnel. Web links to important documents and articles may be listed, but they should not be included as physical attachments.
Applicants are encouraged to e-mail msm.awards@amfar.org if they have any questions or seek advice about this RFP, program design, or the application requirements.
More info:
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