Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) to Build HIV Prevention, Treatment and Research Capacity in Disproportionately Affected Black and Hispanic Communities and Among Historically Underrepresented Res | RFA PS 16 00102CONT17

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA PS 16 00102CONT17

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) grant opportunity is a CDC-sponsored cooperative agreement designed to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment, and research capacity in communities that have been disproportionately affected by HIV, with a specific emphasis on Black and Hispanic populations. A central theme of the initiative is not only improving community-level public health impact, but also expanding the pipeline and leadership of historically underrepresented researchers working in HIV. In practice, the opportunity is aimed at building and sustaining the skills, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to carry out high-quality HIV-related research and to translate findings into real-world prevention and care improvements in the communities facing the highest burden.

This opportunity is listed as a continuation under Funding Opportunity Number RFA PS 16 00102CONT17, meaning it is structured to support ongoing work tied to an existing program framework rather than launching a completely new, one-time project cycle. The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which is important because it typically involves substantial involvement from CDC staff beyond what would be expected in a standard grant. Under cooperative agreements, recipients generally work in closer coordination with CDC on planning, implementation, monitoring, and dissemination. That arrangement usually signals an emphasis on accountability, measurable outcomes, and alignment with CDC priorities and evidence-based public health approaches.

The activity category is Health, and the program is associated with CFDA number 93.941, which is commonly linked to HIV prevention activities and related public health initiatives. While the listing does not provide a dollar-based award ceiling (it shows an award ceiling of 0), it does indicate an expectation of around 10 awards. When a ceiling is not specified in a summary record like this, it often means prospective applicants need to consult the full announcement or continuation guidance for budget limits, allowable costs, and any required matching or leveraging expectations, or it may reflect that the continuation award levels are determined by prior-year funding, negotiated workplans, or appropriations rather than a fixed cap published in the synopsis.

The eligibility category is labeled broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which is a common way for federal notices to point applicants to more specific eligibility language in the full announcement. Programs like MARI often focus eligibility around institutions or organizations with demonstrated connections to the target communities and/or capacity-building missions, which can include certain community-based organizations, academic institutions, health departments, or other entities that can credibly support both research training and community-engaged HIV work. The key point is that eligibility is not fully defined in the synopsis provided, so any organization considering applying would need to review the detailed eligibility section to confirm fit.

From a goals and impact standpoint, MARI is framed around two reinforcing needs: first, addressing persistent HIV disparities affecting Black and Hispanic communities through stronger prevention and treatment efforts that are informed by research; and second, improving representation in HIV research by supporting historically underrepresented investigators. That combination suggests the initiative is meant to reduce gaps not only in HIV outcomes (such as incidence, linkage to care, retention in care, and viral suppression), but also in who leads, designs, and benefits from research. Capacity-building in this context typically includes developing research skills, mentorship structures, partnerships with affected communities, data and evaluation capabilities, and organizational systems that allow research to be conducted ethically and effectively. It also often implies a focus on culturally responsive approaches and on strengthening trust and collaboration between researchers, service providers, and community members.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and it appears in the CDC electronic research administration environment (ERA). The record shows a creation date of November 18, 2016, with an original closing date of January 12, 2017, reflecting the timeframe for that cycle of the opportunity. Even though those dates are historical, they are useful for understanding that this is a specific posted announcement and that the continuation framing likely relates to funding and program cycles active during that period.

In plain terms, this funding opportunity is about strengthening the people and systems needed to do effective HIV work where the need is greatest. It supports efforts that improve community-level HIV prevention and treatment capacity while also cultivating and supporting researchers from groups that have been historically underrepresented in HIV research leadership. The cooperative agreement structure signals that CDC expects to be actively engaged with awardees to help ensure the work stays aligned with national HIV prevention priorities, uses sound methods, and produces results that can be applied to reduce disparities.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) to Build HIV Prevention, Treatment and Research Capacity in Disproportionately Affected Black and Hispanic Communities and Among Historically Underrepresented Res" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.941.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 18, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 12, 2017. (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 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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