Invitation to Submit Applications
National Specific Populations HIV/AIDS Initiatives Fund
Strengthening the Capacity of Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area 2009-2010

The HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division, Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is releasing an Invitation to Submit an Application (ISA) for funding under the 2009-2010 Strengthening the Capacity of Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area of the National Specific Populations HIV/AIDS Initiatives Fund. This fund will support national projects that strengthen the capacity of front-line health and social service providers to work with specific populations to enhance access to health services and HIV/AIDS prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment, and support; and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Funding Priority

HIV infection continues to spread through specific transmission routes, such as unprotected sex and sharing injection drug equipment. Adopting safer behaviours and accessing HIV testing, treatment, and support are often determined by the complexity of people’s lived experiences and other factors, including education, income, health status, substance use, mental health, risk complacency, and HIV/ AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. The National Specific Populations HIV/AIDS Initiatives Fund - Strengthening the Capacity of Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area aims to support organizations to develop tools, guidelines, training modules, and other products for front-line providers to:

• improve their understanding of the populations and the barriers, which limit their access to services;
• provide the populations with socially and culturally appropriate or gender-specific services; and
• diminish stigma and discrimination experienced by these populations.

Note: We strongly encourage organizations to build on existing resources and look at existing tools and best practices and adapt them to meet their needs.

This action will increase the knowledge and enhance the skills of front-line service providers in addressing HIV/AIDS and, ultimately, promote individuals’ practice of adopting healthy behaviours, including a willingness to be tested for HIV/AIDS

Priority Populations

As identified in the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada, the following populations in Canada are the most affected by HIV/AIDS: Aboriginal peoples, gay men, people from countries where HIV is endemic, people living with HIV/AIDS, people who inject drugs, prison inmates, women and youth at risk. These eight populations will be given priority for this ISA.

Note: Projects that focus on cross and sub-populations are encouraged (e.g., people living with HIV/AIDS from countries where HIV is endemic, Aboriginal women who inject drugs, and gay men from ethno-cultural communities).

Please note that an organization can only submit one application per priority population.

National Scope

The National Specific Populations HIV/AIDS Initiatives Fund is a funding program, which supports projects that are national in scope. National in scope may be defined in terms of desired outcomes; planned activities; participating partners; benefits to intended priority population; national implication; and possibility of replication to other areas of the country.

Funding

The 2009-2010 ISA will support projects to carry out activities for approximately a 6- to 12-month period beginning between June and October 2009.

Total Amount per Project:

Projects can be funded for a maximum of $200,000 over a 12-month period.

Guide for Applicants

A Guide for Applicants has been developed for the ISA. The Guide provides useful information regarding the National Specific Populations HIV/AIDS Initiatives Fund - Strengthening the Capacity of Front- Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area. Applicants must read the ISA, the Guide for Applicants and all Appendixes carefully prior to completing an application as they contain crucial information on the various mandatory components. It is important to note that applications that do not follow the directives from the Guide for Applicants will not be considered or reviewed.

Submission Details

Complete applications must be received by Sonia Hamel at the HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division, PHAC postmarked by the following deadline: Friday, March 27, 2009.

Mandatory Application Requirements

1. Completed and signed  PHAC Application for Funding Form, including all the required items identified on the checklist
2. Completed  Strengthening the Capacity of Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area Application Form

Note: Please refer to the Guide for Applicants for complete Submission Information details.

Questions and Answers Teleconference

All applicants for the National Specific Populations HIV/AIDS Initiatives Fund for Strengthening the Capacity of Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area are invited to participate in a teleconference facilitated by PHAC officials. It is strongly suggested that participants review all materials prior to this event. The teleconference will be an opportunity to seek clarification regarding the application process and is scheduled to be held March 3, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. E.S.T. by dialing the following number:

Toll-Free #: 1-888-265-0464
National Capital Area #: 613 954-4096
Conference Code: 86687039 or Conference Topic: Capacity Building ISA

The following documents are available for downloading or viewing:

• PHAC Application for Funding Form (PDF Version, 1.90 mb)^*
• Guide for Applicants (PDF Version, 1.86 mb)
• Strengthening the Capacity of Front-Line Health and Social Service Providers Activity Area Application Form (RTF Version, 327 kb)
• Questions, Answers and Corrections

For more information, or if the above information and documents are not accessible to you, please contact:

Sonia Hamel, Senior Program Consultant
Public Health Agency of Canada
Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control
HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division
A.L. 0601A, LCDC Building
100 Eglantine Driveway, Tunney’s Pasture Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Telephone: 613-946-3569
Facsimile: 613-941-2399
E-mail:Sonia_Hamel@phac-aspc.gc.ca

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* How to download PDF documents.