PEP Packs: Postexposure Prophylaxis Packs for Immediate Access to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention | RFA PS 25 112

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA PS 25 112

The PEP Packs: Postexposure Prophylaxis Packs for Immediate Access to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention funding opportunity (RFA PS 25 112) is a CDC cooperative agreement designed to support an implementation research study focused on improving rapid access to prevention tools after a potential exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The central idea being tested is a "PEP in pocket" (PiP) approach, where people who are at higher risk can immediately start key medications and testing steps without having to wait for a clinic visit, pharmacy delays, or appointment availability. The project is specifically oriented toward populations that experience disproportionate impacts from HIV and STIs, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), with particular attention to communities experiencing high rates of new HIV diagnoses, such as Black and Hispanic MSM and TGW.

The funded recipient is expected to implement and evaluate a comprehensive strategy that integrates these "PEP packs" into existing clinical workflows, especially where PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and STI services are already being delivered. In practical terms, the research is not just about whether the pack contents work medically (those components are already known prevention tools), but about identifying the most effective real-world strategies for delivering them, fitting them into clinic operations, and ensuring they are used correctly and promptly. This includes examining how clinics identify eligible patients, how packs are prescribed or dispensed, how follow-up is handled, and what barriers or facilitators affect uptake, adherence, and timely initiation.

Each PEP pack is described as a bundled set of prevention tools intended to support immediate action after a potential exposure. The pack includes a supply of antiretroviral medication for nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for HIV prevention, doxycycline for STI postexposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) to reduce the risk of certain bacterial STIs, HIV and STI self-test kits to support rapid status assessment and follow-up, and clear instruction materials to guide correct use. By packaging these items together, the approach aims to reduce delays at the moment they matter most, simplify decision-making, and improve continuity between self-directed steps (like self-testing) and clinic-based care (like confirmatory testing, ongoing PrEP, STI treatment, and monitoring).

The NOFO indicates that study clinics should be located in communities with high HIV diagnosis rates among the disproportionately affected groups the program aims to serve. That emphasis signals that the project is meant to generate evidence that is directly relevant to the jurisdictions and patient populations where gaps in prevention access and outcomes are most acute. Because this is an implementation research effort, the expected work typically involves building partnerships with clinics, adapting service delivery models, training staff, setting up referral and follow-up pathways, and collecting data to compare strategies and determine what best improves timely access, appropriate use, and patient-centered outcomes.

Administratively, this opportunity is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning CDC will likely have substantial programmatic involvement compared with a standard grant. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 93.084. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those specific categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other eligible entities as described in the full announcement. The application closing date is listed as 2025-02-19. The opportunity anticipates a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) with an award ceiling of $1,200,000. The opportunity record was created on 2024-12-13.

Overall, the grant is aimed at generating practical, transferable evidence on how to successfully deploy ready-to-use PEP packs within existing PrEP and STI clinical services, with a focus on speed, accessibility, and impact in communities carrying a disproportionate share of HIV and STI burden. The end goal is to identify optimal implementation strategies that can be scaled or replicated to strengthen prevention infrastructure and reduce new infections among the populations most affected.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "PEP Packs: Postexposure Prophylaxis Packs for Immediate Access to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA PS 25 112

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