TARGETED
Request for Proposals
MSM Initiative Community Awards – Latin America
Deadline: CLOSED
Para ver la solicitud de propuestas en español, haga clic aquí.
Para exibir a solicitação de propostas em português, clique aqui.
Available Funding
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS
Research, is pleased to announce new funding for innovative projects that focus on advocacy and policy efforts
and/or structural interventions to promote systems change to address
HIV/AIDS among gay men, other men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals
(GMT) in Latin America. Grassroots organizations led by or closely linked to
men who have sex with men (MSM) or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) communities in low- and middle-income countries in Latin America are
encouraged to submit relevant proposals. Funds for this round of awards are
made available through the generous support of the Elton
John AIDS Foundation.
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
150,000 USD is available in Latin
America; amfAR anticipates funding from seven to eight proposals. Funding
recommendations will be announced in September 2012. Organizations that are
approved for awards can expect to receive funds to begin activities as early as
December 2012.
Funding Priorities and Areas of Interest
This request for proposals (RFP) solicits proposals for
innovative community-led projects relevant to reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS
among gay men, other MSM, and/or transgender individuals (GMT).
Regional
priorities have been determined in advance of issuing the RFP by surveying a
wide range of community-based colleagues with experience and expertise in the
region. Based on the survey, only proposals that use the following types of programming to focus on changing systems to reduce the spread and impact of HIV among GMT will be considered:
- Advocacy and Policy Efforts: engaging key decision makers at the
local and national level, as well as international donors, to create and
implement policies and programs that increase support for a comprehensive
response to HIV among GMT. A comprehensive response recognizes that responding
to HIV among GMT is broader than the healthcare sector. Thus, health policy is
vital; however, policies and funding in other sectors including human rights,
law, civil protection, and education are needed. Project activities may include
policy maker and donor education, civil society participation in local and
national decision making bodies, media advocacy to increase public support,
investment tracking and analysis, among others.
- Structural Interventions: modifying the social, economic, and
political structures and systems in which GMT
live. Rather than attempting to change individual behaviors, structural
interventions aim to change environments. These interventions may affect
technology, legislation, media, healthcare, and the marketplace. Structural
interventions may also help reduce HIV vulnerabilities by altering the physical
environments in which people live, work, play, or take risks. Examples include
challenging local or national policies that discriminate against GMT, engaging
health and/or social service professional in GMT sensitization programs, and media
campaigns in the general public to reduce homophobia.
Recognizing the increased challenges faced by transgender communities
throughout Latin America, relevant projects that focus on transgender communities will be given prioritized attention.
Projects that do not focus on advocacy and policy, or structural
interventions will not be considered for funding.
Since amfAR’s
investment is relatively modest, priority will also be given to projects that
can be sustained after the conclusion of amfAR funding, and help to inform
local, national, regional, or international advocacy activities. Each proposal must
clearly explain the involvement of local MSM/LGBT communities in project
design, development, implementation, and evaluation, as well as having a clear monitoring
and evaluation plan.
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 HIV among GMT. In addition, amfAR provides successful applicants
with technical and capacity-building assistance, which may include
organizational development activities if needed.
As
always, the MSM Initiative is receptive to feedback and suggestions regarding
the RFP and application process, so please do not hesitate to let us know what
you think.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Community-based
organizations located in low-and middle-income countries in Latin America (click here to see list of eligible countries);
Non-profit
organizations (e.g., NGOs, CBOs, and other charitable organizations) that are
the equivalent of U.S.
tax-exempt non-profit organizations;
Organizations
comprised of MSM or 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.
Who
Is Not Eligible and SHOULD NOT APPLY?
Individuals;
Government organizations or units;
For-profit organizations;
Organizations based in countries
that are not on the list of eligible countries;
Organizations
with annual operating budgets of more than $1 million USD;
Organizations that do not involve MSM or LGBT community members
in the development and implementation of programs and activities.
Previous Award Recipients
amfAR
encourages current MSM Initiative community award recipient organizations to
re-apply, recognizing systems change takes time. Proposals that are
relevant to the focus of this RFP that are submitted by current MSM Initiative
community award recipients will be prioritized for funding. Applications should
include a summary of work completed to date, accomplishments resulting from current
amfAR funding, and describe 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.
Background
The MSM
Initiative was
established by amfAR in 2007 and benefits from collaboration with various
international and regional agencies including UNDP, UNAIDS, Johns Hopkins
University – Center for Public Health and Human Rights, the Global Forum on MSM
& HIV, and other partners. The MSM Initiative’s community awards program
seeks to reduce the spread and impact of HIV among GMT individuals by providing
vital support to grassroots GMT efforts that are committed to advocating with
and serving individuals whose needs have often been ignored. For more
information about the MSM Initiative, visit www.amfar.org/msm.html.
Review Process
Funding decisions will be based upon recommendations generated
by community-based peer review involving experts in the region who have the
same or similar expertise, perspectives, and focus on HIV among GMT as the
applicants.
Forms
and Instructions
Please use the links below to download
a copy of this RFP, the application and budget and justification forms, and
instructions. Please carefully read all
of the instructions before you start. The instructions include all of the
information necessary for the proper preparation and submission of a successful
proposal.
Application and budget and justification forms may be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese. For application and budget and justification forms prepared in a language other than English, amfAR requires that both the original language version and an English translation be submitted. Even an approximate translation such as one made using an Internet translation engine (e.g., Google translate) is required. If a translation is not provided, the proposal may not be accepted for review. 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
also 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 (Microsoft Word document)
Budget and justification form (Microsoft Excel document)
RFP (PDF document)
Application instructions (PDF)
Sample application (PDF)
Application Submission
E-mail submission (preferred)
E-mail
the completed application as an attachment to:
msm.awards@amfAR.org
Maximum
incoming file size is 5 MB.
If application packet files are larger than 5MB, we suggest you use a utility
such as YouSendIt (www.yousendit.com),
a secure online file sharing software that allows you to easily
send large files and email attachments. YouSendIt has a free service option.
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:
12 July 2012, 5:00 p.m. in New York City, USA
(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.
Confidentiality and Communications
Throughout
the review and award process, amfAR routinely respects the privacy of the
applicant and is committed to protecting from disclosure any confidential or
proprietary information contained in a submitted proposal.
However, the
MSM Initiative also recognizes that many organizations working to address HIV
among GMT individuals are doing this work in complex and sometimes dangerous or
volatile social, political, and legal environments. Groups that require special
measures to protect confidentiality, particularly due to security and safety concerns,
should indicate this need in the application for funding. In such instances we
will inform reviewers that extra confidentiality is needed, and we will limit
what we communicate about your organization with other funders, partners, and the
public. Indicating that extra confidentiality is not needed means that we will maintain routine confidentiality
about the funding proposal, but will feel free to communicate about the
proposal and the organization to other funders and partners in the interest of
mobilizing support.
While we will
make every effort to ensure confidentiality in these situations, amfAR, the MSM
Initiative, and its partners cannot guarantee complete confidentiality and/or
be held liable for the disclosure of information that causes harm to
individuals or groups associated with funded projects. Groups should be aware
that any information provided carries the risk of being shared publicly through
open dialogue about funding priorities, peer review processes, and
communications about MSM Initiative directions, decisions, and reported
outcomes. Submission of a funding application is deemed to indicate the
applicant’s understanding and acceptance of these risks.
Requirements and Restrictions
The
MSM Initiative aims to encourage, support, and document activities of the
highest quality. Therefore, all organizations funded by the MSM Initiative will
be required to provide interim and year-end progress reports of program
activities and expenditures. Organizations should be able and ready to document
appropriate financial and accounting controls, including measures to prevent
duplicated use or misappropriation of funds. Any renewal of funding will be
contingent upon careful adherence to these reporting requirements. In addition,
the MSM Initiative will work with partners within the region to be in contact
with award recipients, to monitor and document any needs for technical support
and assistance, and, if possible, to provide this support.
Funding for
the MSM Initiative is made possible primarily through the private donations of
individuals and philanthropic foundations. The MSM Initiative will report
regularly to these funding partners about the use of funding and all supported
organizations and activities (except where confidentiality is specifically
requested).