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This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages applications for a planning grant from institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to 1.) Design a Global Infectious Disease (GID) Research Training Program in collaboration with U.S. collaborators and 2.) Strengthen LMIC faculty and prepare advanced courses and training resources for the program envisioned at the LMIC institution. The application should propose a collaborative process to create a new training program that will strengthen the capacity of the LMIC institution to conduct infectious disease research. Applications should include activities to strengthen LMIC faculty leadership and skills as well as prepare advanced scientific didactic and methodology courses and research training resources development relevant to the program to be planned. A detailed vision for a research training program that focuses on a major endemic or life-threatening emerging infectious disease, neglected tropical disease, infections that frequently occur as a co-infection in HIV infected individuals or infections associated with non-communicable disease conditions of public health importance in LMICs should be proposed.

The National Endowment for Democracy is a private nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Each year, the endowment makes more than twelve hundred grants to support the projects of nongovernmental groups abroad that are working for democratic goals in over nineties countries. To advance this mission, NED is seeking proposals for projects that advance democratic goals and strengthen democratic institutions. Grants of up to $50,000 over twelve will be awarded in support of nonpartisan programs that seek to promote and defend human rights and the rule of law, support freedom of information and independent media, and promote accountability and transparency. To be eligible, applicants must be nongovernmental organizations, including civic organizations, associations, independent media, and other similar groups. Applications are encouraged from organizations working in diverse environments, including newly established democracies, semi-authoritarian countries, highly repressive societies, and countries undergoing democratic transition.

he FETP graduates, staff and trainees are important assets and help build sustainable public health capacity in their countries. Through public health conferences they share field epidemiology experiences and present work investigations through oral and poster presentations. This collaboration reinforces best practices in applied epidemiology, training, surveillance, and response and introduces new tools, concepts, and training materials. However, the region’s FETPs can be more effective if their collaboration extends beyond scientific conferences. Network development can enhance surveillance, investigation and response capacity globally through regular communication and exchange of information and allow for more robust response to regional and national public health threats. In 2009, the FETPs in the East Mediterranean Region (EMRO) began to organize a network in the Middle East that partner with MOH FETP representatives, CDC and EMRO closely collaborate to strengthen existing national FETPs and regional disease surveillance. This close collaboration and networking among programs is critical as the globe faces new and re-emerging public health threats. The recent outbreaks of Ebola and Zika viruses clearly demonstrate the need for strong local and regional programs that can mobilize rapid response teams quickly and assist countries and global partners to control disease and strengthen public health infrastructure.

CDC, in collaboration with the National AIDS Control Program/Department of AIDS Control, has successfully laid the foundation for quality standards and approaches within India's vast HIV laboratory network through a previous five-year laboratory strengthening funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Many achievements were made during the course of the five-year project period, including accreditation of national and state reference labs. This follow-on FOA is expected to build upon and sustain previous accomplishments through onsite mentoring and in service staff training with an eye to higher quality services and scale up. A plan will be developed to facilitate laboratory quality at the grassroots level for 12,000 + Integrated HIV Testing and Counseling Centers (ICTCs). This shall be done through trainer/mentor creation within the HIV laboratory network to assist peripheral laboratories in implementing minimum quality standards. Given its expanded technical assistance (TA) scope, it is also expected to build the capacity and assure quality in a phased manner for HIV related tests like CD4 enumeration, HIV viral load and STI through strengthening leadership and mentoring capacity within the laboratory network. Now in Phase IV of its HIV/AIDS response, the Government of India (GoI) is keen to address any gaps in testing coverage.

Reliable, efficient laboratory services and networks are fundamental components of effective, well-functioning health systems and are essential for patient management, disease detection and control and surveillance. The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support the Ministry of Health in Mozambique to strengthen the integrated national laboratory network in order to ensure the provision of quality laboratory services for clinical diagnosis, screening, research, and surveillance to support HIV care and treatment and the achievement of an AIDS free generation. The FOA will address the following cross-cutting elements of laboratory systems: governance and management of the integrated laboratory network, strengthening institutions to build and retain a quality laboratory workforce, and building technical and scientific capacity and implementing quality management systems towards accreditation. The expected project outcomes include:* Increased efficiency of laboratory network operations* Increased implementation of quality management systems through a technically and financially sustainable quality improvement and accreditation program owned and implemented by the Ministry of Health* An increase in the coverage and quality of external quality assessment (EQA) services* Improved adherence to laboratory biosafety standards* Improved quality of laboratory pre-service training * Increase in number of laboratory managers and leaders with Master's level training* Improved capacity of laboratory workforce and decreased reliance on external training support

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to strengthen capabilities of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and District Health Teams (DHTs) to conduct the following activities: (1) monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of HIV program including service quality assessment, (2) district led HIV programming (DLP); (3) conducting population case-based surveillance, and lastly (4) strengthening the Ministry of Health (MOH)-owned national Health Management Information System (HMIS), to generate timely, valid, consistent and complete data. This FOA is part of the PEPFAR overall sustainability plan and transition of HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation into the primary national health care system towards alignment to the national HIV/AIDS M&E framework and achievement of one national M&E system. The FOA also supports the PEPFAR implementation of a sustainability plan and investments in public health systems, quality improvement, and public health workforce development. At the end of the project, the main expected outcomes include increased use of information for evidence-based decision making, effective health programming at the district levels, and a well-functioning Health Management Information System. All the data collection and reporting activities will emphasize maintaining patients' and participants' confidentiality by treating information that they disclose in a relationship of trust. All of the information provided by patients/participants will be kept confidential and secure in locked rooms/drawers with limited access. Any data analyses will be conducted after all personal identifying information have been removed from electronic datasets.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Burma and the National Department of Health (NDOH) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) plan to rapidly expand high-quality antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in the coming years by increasing capacity at existing delivery sites and decentralizing selected services to provincial, district and township levels. In order to accomplish this expansion, the MOH and NDOH need strong laboratory systems that ensure high-quality HIV diagnostic and clinical monitoring of patients at the existing and new service delivery sites. This will require strengthening the capacity of Burma's National Health Laboratory (NHL) and Papua New Guinea's Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), as well as building capacity of sub-national laboratories and improving the laboratory network in these countries.This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will be awarded to a technical assistance (TA) partner to provide support to NHL and CPHL in several key areas, including: (1) developing and helping implement standard operating procedures, policies, guidelines, and training materials related to management and operations of national and sub-national laboratories; (2) building capacity of NHL and CPHL staff to validate, conduct, and ensure strong (and often cross-cutting) quality assurance and monitoring systems for HIV-related diagnostic and clinical monitoring activities; (3) strengthening the overall laboratory network in Burma and PNG that may include specimen transport and right-sizing of various classes of laboratories; and (4) providing supporting mentoring of NHL and NDOH staff and opportunities for professional development.

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica announces a Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen citizen security through economic and social opportunity. U.S. Embassy San Jose intends to issue five awards in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 in total funding. The anticipated start date for this activity is September 30, 2016, and project periods should not exceed two years. This funding will support United States government objectives under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). Within Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), the United States works with partner nations to strengthen institutions to counter the effects of organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights. Institution building is coupled with prevention projects that dissuade at-risk youth from turning to crime and gangs and community policing projects that engage local communities on citizen security issues. U.S. Embassy San Jose invites qualified U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas-based public and private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations to submit proposals that include an implementation strategy to address the following objective: Objective: Provide workforce development, education, or entrepreneurship opportunities designed to reduce poverty, particularly among youth and women, in historically marginalized and economically-disadvantaged communities. Proposals should help create safe streets by providing economic opportunities as attractive alternatives for at-risk populations that might otherwise turn to crime and illicit drugs for their livelihood. U.S. Embassy San Jose reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for the award.

The United States Government, as represented by the United States Agency for International Development in Rwanda (USAID/Rwanda) is seeking concept papers from qualified and eligible organizations for a three-year activity to strengthen systems and processes that ensure rule of law, strengthen the role of civil society in development, and empower citizens to exercise their rights and fulfill their responsibilities as set forth in Rwandan laws

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL, or the Department), announces the availability of approximately $10,000,000 total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for one cooperative agreement to fund a technical assistance project in a minimum of five countries to strengthen the capacity of governments to address child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. The project will aim to achieve the following outcomes: (1) strengthened labor and/or criminal legal frameworks concerning child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking; (2) improved enforcement of the labor and/or criminal legal framework, specifically related to child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking; and (3) increased coordination among law enforcement and social protection entities to address child labor, forced labor, and/or human trafficking.

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen government through civil society engagement. U.S. Embassy San Jose intends to issue five awards in an amount not to exceed $1,261,667 in total funding. The anticipated start date for this activity is September 30, 2018, and project periods should not exceed two years. The U.S. Department of State is under no obligation to fund any of the proposals submitted under this funding opportunity. This funding will support United States government objectives under the U.S. Strategy for Central America (Strategy), and are accomplished through the promotion of prosperity, enhancement of security, and improvement of governance. These objectives are also included under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), which is a component of the Strategy. Within Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), the United States works with partner nations to strengthen institutions to counter the effects of organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights. Institution building is coupled with both prevention projects that dissuade at-risk youth from turning to crime and gangs and community policing projects that engage local communities on citizen security issues.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) announces the availability of approximately $10,000,000 total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for two cooperative agreements of $5,000,000. These cooperative agreements will fund one technical assistance project in Asia and one technical assistance project in Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen the capacity of governments to address child labor and/or forced labor, and violations of acceptable conditions of work. Project outcomes include: (1) improved enforcement of the legal framework and/or policies pertaining to child labor and/or forced labor, and violations of acceptable conditions of work; (2) improved assistance services for victims of child labor and/or forced labor; and (3) strengthened partnerships to accelerate progress in addressing child labor and/or forced labor, and violations of acceptable conditions of work. Strategies and activities may address child labor solely, forced labor solely or both child labor and forced labor, as well as must address acceptable conditions of work.

The general objective of the activity is to improve the quality of malaria diagnosis and treatment services to 85% from baseline in project supported facilities. The specific project objectives are to: 1. Strengthen partnerships and coordination at national and regional levels 2. Strengthen and scale up quality assurance (QA) systems for malaria diagnosis and treatment 3. Improve infrastructures (minor renovation) and human resource capacity for malaria diagnosis and case management 4. Enhanced program learning and operational research to impact policy and programming related to malaria case management This Activity will be implemented consistent with the principles of collaborating learning and adapting (CLA). Consistent with CLA, this Agreement covers any activities that consistent with CLA principles will contribute to the four objectives and key results specified above, consistent with the implementation planning requirements and other provisions of the Agreement.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi (PAS New Delhi) seeks proposals for a project entitled "Strengthening U.S.-India Relations through Jazz." Through this program, the Embassy seeks to celebrate and strengthen the cultural connection between India and the United States through the medium of jazz music. The recipient should be an ensemble and include at least one American musician, with an emphasis on American jazz music that includes traditional jazz music that pays tribute to its African-American roots.

CT seeks proposals to strengthen the Bangladeshi capacity to successfully implement the Antiterrorism Act of 2009, amended in 2013, and adequately address the threat of terrorism and terrorist financing in a rule of law framework. This project will complement CT-funded assistance focused on Bangladeshi prosecutors, investigators, and regulators that is being provided through the Department of Justice's Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT). Project proposals should focus on building the capacity of judges, magistrates, law clerks, and other judicial personnel, to successfully adjudicate terrorism cases in accordance with the rule of law and should address all of the following areas: 1. Develop a unified judicial practice focused on terrorism, terrorism financing, and money laundering cases that adheres to the rule of law; 2. Strengthen their capacity to implement Bangladesh's Antiterrorism Act of 2009 laws through the effective adjudication of terrorism, money laundering, and terrorism financing cases; 3. Develop administrative capacity for courts to streamline case management for terrorism cases and address significant backlogs.

CDC announces supplemental funding for the awardee initially funded under the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) CDC-RFA-OT16-1601: Strengthening the Public Health System in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) July 1, 2016. This supplemental FOA permits the eligible awardee to apply for five new project plans to provide capacity building assistance. The additional funding for is for a regional, nonprofit organization to strengthen the quality, performance and sustainability of the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands’ (USAPI) governmental and nongovernmental components of the public health system through the provision of capacity-building assistance.

The international community is committed to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and achieving the following interim targets: 90 percent of people living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status, 90 percent of those with HIV are on treatment, and 90 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed by 2020. As PEPFAR resources are limited, effective partnerships continue to be critical in ultimately achieving epidemic control. CDC has partnered with the WHO since the inception of PEPFAR, and is able to draw on the WHO’s comparative advantage to issue international health guidelines and standards. This NOFO will strengthen public health capacity and guidelines to fast track HIV programs down to the district level in PEPFAR supported countries to achieve the 90-90-90 targets and move towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Key areas of collaboration as guided by the Joint Strategic Framework on the WHO and PEPFAR cooperation on HIV/AIDS include: prevention, care and treatment scale up, integrated service delivery, strengthening health systems, strategic information, and country support.

The purpose of this announcement is to strengthen capacity of the Government of the Republic of Namibia through support for high-impact and evidence based interventions to prevent HIV transmission, increase access to quality HIV/AIDS care and support programs, strengthen the overall health system, and integrate HIV/AIDS programming with maternal and child healthcare, malaria, TB and other primary healthcare programs in an effective manner.

The purpose of the Responsible, Accountable Democratic Assembly (RADA) program is to strengthen the legislature to become more accountable, representative and independent and to improve civic engagement in the legislative process. The program will pursue three main objectives: Objective 1: Improved public representation in the legislative process. Objective 2: Expanded role of citizens in monitoring the work of Parliament. Objective 3: Role of legislature in providing independent oversight of the Executive branch strengthened.

The U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section (PAS) announces an Open Source RFP and invites organizations to submit a proposal supporting people-to-people ties between the people of the United States and Pakistan, specifically in the area of music. These activities should expand people-to-people relationships between non-officials (e.g. musicians, industry professionals) and increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Pakistan through projects that build self-sustaining relationships between the U.S. and Pakistani musicians and music industries. Program Goals: 1. Strengthen People-to-People Ties between the U.S. and Pakistan: Increase mutual understanding through projects that share American music with Pakistani audiences. 2. Create Institutional Linkages Between the U.S. and Pakistani Music Industries: Encourage the local music industry to build long-term, self-sustaining relationships between U.S. and Pakistani musicians, music institutions, existing festivals and music schools. 3. Support Music/Creative Industry Growth: Provide Pakistani musicians with opportunities to network and discuss challenges facing Pakistan's music industry, engage in substantive dialogue with American music industry professionals, and increase cooperation on problems of mutual concern, such as intellectual property rights. 4. Strengthen Regional Cooperation between Afghanistan, Pakistan and India: Increase mutual understanding on a regional level by including Indian and Afghan musicians in music capacity-building projects. 5. Expand Music Outreach to Youth and Underserved Audiences: Though music programs, develop local partners that are able to access regions of Pakistan not easily accessed by U.S. officials and make American music available to the local youth audience.