Janssen Therapeutics
Request for Grant Applications (RFGA)
Education and Training on HIV/AIDS Science and Treatment
for HIV/AIDS Service Providers
We are pleased to announce a Request for Grant Applications
We are accepting applications Oct 14. through Nov. 8 (12 midnight PT)
HOW TO APPLY:
1. Email JTRFGA@its.jnj.com to request the following:
a. Web link to the online Grant Management System (GMS)
b. Required Application Supplement
c. Additional submission instructions
2. Register your organization within the GMS if you are not already registered.
3. Complete and submit the online application:
a. Submit your request as a “Non-CE educational grant” (unless you will be providing
CME/CE credits).
b. Select “Yes” when asked if application is in response to an RFGA.
c. Enter the RFGA code “HIVSCIENCE2013” in the space provided.
d. Complete all required tabs and fields.
e. Upload completed Application Supplement Form as “Other” document on
“Document Upload” tab.
Applications received after November 8 will not be considered.
All applications must be submitted through the online grant management system.
General Information
Background and Unmet Needs
The HIV/AIDS treatment cascade provides a framework to understand the gaps in the continuum of
care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and those most at risk. Significant gaps persist in
retaining PLWHA in long-term care, initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) early in the course of the
disease, and ensuring life-long medication adherence to achieve viral suppression. Recent research
has shown that full viral suppression on ART can significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission to
others and new clinical guidelines issued by Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) now
recommend treating all PLWHA early with ART to reduce virus below transmissible levels.1 Despite
these advances and recommendations, only 1 in 3 people living with HIV/AIDS today is receiving
ART and only 1 in 4 is virally suppressed.2
In the US, the HIV/AIDS epidemic disproportionately impacts African-American and Latino
communities and communities in the South. The intersection of poverty, stigma, lack of health
resources and other psychosocial and structural factors creates a unique challenge for HIV/AIDS
workers who serve these communities. Any efforts to stem the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the US
must include strategies to improve the treatment cascade for PLWHA in our country’s most
underserved and marginalized communities.
HIV/AIDS service providers who provide counseling and testing, education, case management, and
other important wrap-around services serve as a critical intermediary between PLWHA and the
medical system, where PLWHA can access therapies that significantly improve health outcomes.
Workers in AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), state and local health departments, and other
community-based organizations (CBOs) can help to bridge the gap between a positive diagnosis
and initiation of ART for PLWHA if they are properly educated about HIV/AIDS science and the
latest treatment advances.
Currently, there is no standardized training process or nationally recognized curriculum available on
the science and treatment of HIV/AIDS for HIV/AIDS service providers.
REFERENCES:
1.
2.
Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. “Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents
in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents”. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/ContentFiles/AdultandAdolescentGL.pdf. Accessed Oct 9, 2013.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “CDC Fact Sheet:
HIV in the United States: The Stages of Care”. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/2012/Stages-of-CareFactSheet-508.pdf. Accessed Oct 9, 2013.
Funding Opportunity
Funding Availability
Up to six (6) one-year educational grants of up to $50,000 are available. Funding from other
sources is permitted and encouraged.
Program Topic(s) and Design
Janssen Therapeutics requests applications for funding in support of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS
science and treatment curriculum to address the educational gaps described above for HIV/AIDS
service providers. The focus of this funding initiative will be the creation of broadly accessible
education and innovative educational models expected to reach more than 50 HIV/AIDS service
providers in a train-the-trainer model. Education and training around HIV/AIDS science and
treatment may include topics such as:
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History of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US
Basic HIV/AIDS terminology
HIV/AIDS virology and science
HIV/AIDS treatment, including current treatment guidelines
Medication compliance and adherence
Biomedical interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and treatment-as-prevention
HIV Treatment Cascade
Effective communication of HIV science and treatment information to clients
Target Audience
Programs must reach at least 50 learners and should target HIV/AIDS service providers working for
AIDS Service organizations, health departments and other community-based organizations, such as:
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Outreach workers
Counselors
Case managers
Social workers
Treatment and peer educators
Patient navigators
Others in client-facing roles
Preference will be given to innovative partnership models, activities with a larger reach and
proposals that have a clearly defined plan for broadly disseminating the education to those who
need it most.
Eligibility
Applicants and/or their partners must have sufficient knowledge, competence and experience to
conduct HIV/AIDS science and treatment education for service providers on a large scale (>50
learners). Eligible organizations include:
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HIV/AIDS service and advocacy organizations
Community-based organizations that serve people living with HIV/AIDS
State and local health departments
Hospitals and teaching institutions
AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs)
Medical and professional societies and associations
Applicants must be able to document previous experience delivering HIV/AIDS science and
treatment education to HIV/AIDS service providers in a train-the-trainer model. Organizations that
are not fully competent in this regard are encouraged to partner with another experienced
organization in the design and implementation of the proposed program. Innovative partnerships
and strong community collaboration are encouraged.
Program Restrictions
Programs may not:
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Target HIV/AIDS service providers outside of the US and Puerto Rico
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Target HIV/AIDS medical providers (e.g., physicians)
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Discuss uses of Janssen Therapeutics products outside of the FDA-approved labeling
Timing
Proposed programs should commence no sooner than January 2014.
Use of Funds
Funding may be used to support new programs or existing programs that are being expanded to
new populations or geographies.
PLEASE NOTE: The amount of funding requested from Janssen for this program, when summed
with any other funding received from Janssen in the past 12 months, should not constitute more
than 15% of your organization's annual operating budget.
IMPORTANT: Funding CANNOT be used to support the following expenses.
Such items, when included, must be provided in-kind or funded through
other sources.
Hiring of new staff
Program-related salary expenses for any one employee in excess of 0.5 FTE
Fringe benefits for employees
Meals or refreshments for participants
Incentives for participants such as gift cards, meal vouchers, gifts, etc.
Travel expenses, transportation vouchers and/or transportation
tokens/fares for participants
Organizational overhead (eg, office rent, office supplies, utilities, purchase of
equipment such as laptops that can be used for other purposes)
Indirect costs
Award Notification and Payment
Organizations selected to receive funding will be notified in mid-December 2013 and a list of
recipients will be posted on this website. It will take approximately 8-10 weeks for LOA to be fully
executed and the grant to be paid.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions Document (below) for more
information on this Request for Grant Applications.
If you have questions about the online application system or the RFGA, please email
JTRFGA@its.jnj.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What will be the funding level of the grant(s)? Will they all be the same amount?
 Each of the awards will be up to $50,000. If approved, Janssen Therapeutics may choose to fund some
or all of the components within the grant request, based on budget availability and corporate
compliance requirements related to allowable program expenses.
Will you accept grant submissions at other times of the year or only during the call for proposals?
 This Request for Grant Applications is a competitive funding process developed for the purpose of
funding the highest quality programs within the given time frame. Other proposals related to education
and training on HIV/AIDS science and treatment may be submitted through our normal process and will
be subject to evaluation based on our Areas of Interest and available budget.
 For more information on our standard grant application process, please visit:
http://www.janssentherapeutics-grants.com.
What is an appropriate time frame for programs that receive support through this initiative?
 Funding decisions will be communicated in mid-December 2013 and programs should begin no sooner
than January 1, 2014. Janssen Therapeutics cannot provide funding to support programs or activities
that commence prior to the receipt of funding. Funding commitments on behalf of Janssen
Therapeutics will be for no longer than one year.
Eligibility
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Applicants and/or their partners must have sufficient knowledge, competence and experience to conduct
HIV/AIDS science and treatment education for service providers on a large scale (>50 learners). Eligible
organizations include:
 HIV/AIDS service and advocacy organizations
 Community-based organizations that serve people living with HIV/AIDS
 State and local health departments
 Hospitals and teaching institutions
 AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs)
 Medical and professional societies and associations
Applicants must be able to document previous experience delivering HIV/AIDS science and treatment
education to HIV/AIDS service providers in a train-the-trainer model. Organizations that are not fully
competent in this regard are encouraged to partner with another experienced organization in the design
and implementation of the proposed program. Innovative partnerships and strong community collaboration
are encouraged.
Is my organization eligible for funding if we’ve already received a grant or contribution from Janssen
Therapeutics this year?
 Receipt of funding in the current calendar year or previous years does not affect eligibility. However,
Janssen Therapeutics reserves the right to limit cumulative funding in a 12-month period to no more
than 15% of an organization’s annual budget.
Will you fund multi-year projects?
 No, company policies prohibit us from funding multi-year projects. Our funding commitment will be for
12 months.
Are there any specific program-related expenses that you cannot fund?
 Company policies dictate that we CANNOT provide funding for the following types of expenses:
o Hiring of new staff
o Program-related salary expenses for any one employee in excess of 0.5 FTE
o Fringe benefits for employees
o Meals or refreshments for participants
o Incentives for participants such as gift cards, meal vouchers, gifts, etc.
o Travel expenses, transportation vouchers and/or transportation tokens/fares for participants
o Organizational overhead (eg, office rent, office supplies, utilities, purchase of equipment such as
laptops that can be used for other purposes)
o Indirect costs
Will you provide more than one award to a single organization? Can organizations submit more than one
proposal for consideration?
 No, Janssen Therapeutics will not award more than one grant to the same organization. Organizations
are not permitted to submit more than one proposal in response to this RFGA. Organizations that
submit multiple applications will be asked to select one application for consideration.
Application Process
When are applications being accepted?
 The application window will be open from October 14, 2013 through November 8, 2013 (11:59 pm PT).
Will you accept applications via email or fax?
 No, applications must be submitted via Janssen Therapeutics online Grant Management System.
What information should I include in my request for funding?
 You will need to email JTRFGA@its.jnj.com prior to applying to request a link to our online Grant
Management System and other important materials and information. You will need to register your
organization in Janssen Therapeutics online Grant Management System (GMS).
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When submitting the online application, you should have the following information readily available:
o Program Overview, including educational design, target audience(s), etc.
o Needs Assessment and educational objectives
o Educational Outcomes Assessment Plan
o Detailed program agenda (this SHOULD NOT include the names of potential faculty)
o Full Program Budget
o Completed Application Supplement Form
o Certificate of Separation (available on www.janssentherapeutics-grants.com/Resources&Forms)
After I submit my proposal, will I receive a confirmation it has been received?
 Following receipt of your proposal, you will receive an email confirmation from JTRFGA@its.jnj.com.
If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few business days following your submission,
please call (609) 730-6179.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
 Please email any questions or inquiries to: JTRFGA@its.jnj.com
Review Process
What criteria will you use in selecting projects for grant awards?
 Programs will be evaluated based on the educational merit and scope of the proposed program,
alignment with the specifications outlined in the RFGA, cost effectiveness, and the experience
and/or capacity of the requesting organization. All programs must comply with Janssen Therapeutics
compliance guidelines and other applicable guidelines.
Who will make the final grant decisions?
 Recommendations for funding will be made by a committee comprised of Janssen Therapeutics
employees and 1 or more external community consultants with experience in the given area of
interest. All proposals will require full grant committee and compliance review prior to final
approval.
Award Notifications
When will the recipients be notified and the contributions awarded?
 Organizations receiving funding will be notified in mid-December 2013.
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If your organization is a recipient of funding, it will take approximately 6-8 weeks for the grant to be
fully executed and paid.
If we are selected to receive an award, is any additional paperwork required?
 Once funding has been awarded, the organization will receive a Letter of Agreement for signature.
All documentation must be completed within 1 week