Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)​ Projects

Request for Applications (RFA) #25-10047

The purpose of this RFA is to fund the development of innovative, stigma-free, culturally and linguistically competent, evidence-based demonstration projects that will deliver rapid ART to people living with HIV (PLWH). For the purposes of this RFA, “rapid ART” is defined as the client starting ART within 0-7 days.​

Projects must serve individuals from the most underserved populations that are most disproportionately affected by HIV and must do so by implementing a combination of in-person and telehealth services. As indicated by 2022 HIV surveillance data​, the priority populations that are most vulnerable to HIV are Black/AA and Latinx individuals. Applicants may also propose to serve other subpopulations for which local and/or national data indicates a disproportionate impact by HIV, including men who have sex with men (MSM), trans women, trans MSM, cisgender women, people who inject drugs (PWID), and/or people experiencing homelessness; however, CDPH/OA will consider other populations for which local data indicates a disproportionate impact by HIV​.

Projects will include rapid ART start, medication adherence counseling, follow-up and education using a combination of in-person and telehealth methods to improve retention in care and increase viral suppression rates. Additionally, projects will educate clients, medical providers, clinic/agency staff and the community about the concept and principles of U=U. Through these program components, the resulting projects will substantially reduce the time to viral suppression for PLWH, provide clinical benefits to clients and reduce risk of HIV transmission. Projects may also include a street outreach component and may use this funding to develop the linkages and relationships with street outreach.

OA looks forward to receiving applications from all eligible applicants, which include: 1) any local health department (LHD) in California, and 2) any community-based organization (CBO) located within any local health jurisdiction (LHJ) in California. County-owned or affiliated system emergency departments are also eligible to apply.​

The RFA​ (PDF) is available in the table on th​e left side of this webpage.​

Important Dates:

• Rapid ART Pre-Application Webinar will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. Pacific Time. Join the webinar​ at ​us06web.zoom.us/j/86377223305?pwd=KSWUH2dDLT0Iwn1M3V9lfs8wqyGLzh.1​​, Meeting ID: 863 7722 3305​, Passcode: 042127​

• Questions about the Rapid ART RFA must be submitted in writing by email to RapidART@cdph.ca.gov​ by Friday, March 28, 2025, by 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
• Questions and responses will be posted on this RFA landing page on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, by 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
• Mandatory electronic letter of Intent (LOI) is due on Friday, April 11, 2025, by 12:00 P.M. Pacific Time. RFA Attachments will be sent t those who submit LOI.
• Electronic application submission is due on Monday, April 28, 2025, by 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time. Late applications will not be accepted.
• Please see the RFA for LOI and application submission information.

If you have any questions about the information on this page, please send an e-mail to RapidART@cdph.ca.gov.​​