Building Capacity to Implement Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Start for Improved Care Engagement in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider | HRSA 20 113

Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 20 113

The HRSA grant opportunity titled "Building Capacity to Implement Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Start for Improved Care Engagement in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program - Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider" (HRSA-20-113) is a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 93.928 focused on strengthening and expanding the use of rapid ART start models within the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP). The central aim is to advance the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) initiative by helping high-burden communities reduce new HIV infections through faster treatment initiation and sustained viral suppression. Rather than funding multiple service delivery sites directly, this announcement funds one organization to serve as the Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider (ETAP), supporting up to 10 separate implementation sites that are funded under the companion opportunity HRSA-20-114.

The ETAP awardee functions as the backbone organization for a small national demonstration effort. Its job is to evaluate how rapid start interventions are put into practice across the implementation sites and to measure the effects those interventions have along the HIV care continuum. In practical terms, this means examining how quickly people move from a new HIV diagnosis (or re-engagement after being out of care) into medical care, how rapidly they begin antiretroviral therapy, and how effectively sites help clients achieve and maintain viral suppression. The emphasis is not only on whether rapid start works, but also on how it is implemented in real-world RWHAP clinical settings, what operational steps make it successful, what barriers appear, and what can be standardized or adapted for other providers.

A major component of the ETAP role is hands-on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation sites. The opportunity highlights structured support strategies such as learning collaboratives and peer-to-peer exchanges, where sites can compare workflows, troubleshoot common problems, and share tools that speed up rapid start processes. The ETAP is expected to bring in and circulate innovative approaches and best practices, including lessons from clinics and organizations that have already implemented rapid ART start successfully. This support is meant to help each funded implementation site build lasting operational capability, not just complete a short-term project.

Dissemination is another core responsibility. The ETAP is expected to package and share evaluation findings, effective practices, and lessons learned so that rapid start approaches can be replicated and scaled across other RWHAP providers and potentially other health care settings. The broader public health logic is that reducing the time from diagnosis to treatment, improving linkage and engagement for people who are out of care, and increasing viral suppression will collectively reduce onward HIV transmission, especially in jurisdictions carrying the highest burden of HIV.

Structurally, this opportunity is designed to operate in tandem with the companion implementation-site award (HRSA-20-114). HRSA emphasizes that the ETAP and the implementation sites must work closely together for the overall initiative to succeed, and applicants are encouraged to understand the expectations of the companion notice. The published funding synopsis indicates HRSA planned to make a single ETAP award (Expected Awards: 1). The notice was originally posted April 15, 2020, with an original closing date of June 15, 2020. The award ceiling is listed as 0 in the summary data, which typically signals that applicants should rely on the full notice of funding opportunity for the authoritative budget parameters and constraints rather than the abbreviated listing.

In short, HRSA-20-113 is about funding one capable national partner to evaluate and accelerate rapid ART start implementation across up to 10 separately funded RWHAP sites, generate evidence and practical implementation knowledge, and spread what works so more providers can shorten time-to-treatment, strengthen care engagement, and increase sustained viral suppression in support of Ending the HIV Epidemic goals.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building Capacity to Implement Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Start for Improved Care Engagement in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.928.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 15, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HRSA 20 113

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