United States Ambassador to The Bahamas, Nicole A. Avant and Dr. The Hon. Hubert Minnis, Minister of Health.

Call Announced for Proposals for HIV/AIDS Small Grants Program

Nassau, Bahamas - On Tuesday, March 15, United States Ambassador to The Bahamas Nicole A. Avant and Minister of Health, The Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis addressed the opening of the Caribbean Regional HIV Prevention Summit at the Nassau Sheraton Resort.  Eighty participants from fifteen Caribbean countries attended the conference with the goal of sharing best practices, identifying gaps and opportunities for cooperation and creating linkages between HIV/AIDS prevention experts in the region.  The two-day summit was sponsored through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in coordination with The Bahamas Ministry of Heath.

In her remarks, Ambassador Avant reaffirmed that the United States’ commitment to partnering with the Bahamas and the Caribbean region to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and assist those who have contracted the disease.

“This PEPFAR Summit comes at a critical time in our region,” Ambassador Avant told the group of regional experts.  “We must use every tool at our disposal to improve the quality of services delivered, accelerate innovation, and fully leverage regional expertise.” 

To demonstrate the Obama Administration’s long-term commitment to this fight, last June, U.S. Ambassador Avant signed the first PEPFAR agreement between the United States and The Bahamas alongside Minister of Health, Dr. Minnis. The PEPFAR agreement will provide The Bahamas with more than $5 million in U.S. assistance over the next five years to support the fight against HIV and AIDS.  This year alone, through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has committed more than $1.6 million in assistance to The Bahamas in the areas of prevention, strategic information, laboratory strengthening, and human capacity development.

The U.S. Embassy is also actively supporting grassroots HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in The Bahamas through the U.S. State Department’s Ambassador Fund for Prevention.  Since 2006, the U.S. Embassy to The Bahamas, through the Ambassador’s Fund, has provided more than $100,000 in small grants to local organizations that promote HIV/AIDS prevention and public awareness.

In her remarks, Ambassador Avant invited community based organizations, non-government organizations, faith-based organizations, government ministries, businesses, clubs, schools, and individuals throughout The Bahamas to submit proposals for one-time grants up to $10,000 for projects that promote HIV/AIDS awareness.  The main goals of these grants include: educating people, especially the youth about HIV/AIDS prevention, reduce stigma attached to those living with the disease and encourage testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS.  The deadline to submit proposals is April 29, 2011.  Additional information can be found on U.S. Embassy Nassau’s website: www.nassau.usembassy.gov.

Ambassador Fund for Prevention Small Grants Program

2011 Call for Proposal

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is pleased to announce a call for small grants proposal for the 2011 Ambassador Fund for Prevention.  The U.S. Embassy invites community based organizations, non-government organizations, faith-based organizations, government ministries, businesses, clubs, schools, and individuals to submit proposals for one-time grant up to $10,000 for projects that promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

The main goals of these grants include: educating people, especially youth, about HIV/AIDS and thereby preventing its spread; reducing stigma for those living with the disease; and encouraging people to get tested and to seek treatment. 

Proposals should target most-at-risk populations and persons engaged in high-risk behaviors, use mass media (i.e. broadcast, print, or new media) and have support from local government, community leaders, and the organization’s leadership, if applicable.

Project proposals are being accepted now through April 29, 2011.  Late submissions will not be accepted.

Rules and Specifications:

Proposals should focus on increasing community awareness of HIV/AIDS and promoting discussion and action to combat HIV/AIDS in The Bahamas.  Applicants are encouraged to consider creative, original, and innovative activities including, but not limited to, promotional risk-reduction and prevention messages, voluntary counseling and testing promotion, training and education opportunities, promotional contests, etc.

Proposals must include the following:

• A project description no longer than two pages:  Organization/company profile, a timeline indicating when the project will begin and end (not to exceed nine months from start to finish), discussion of the grantee’s target audience, detailed outcomes and description of the project evaluation method. 
• A detailed budget with a complete breakdown of costs for all aspects of the project.

Funds may not be used for the following:

• The purchase of food
• Furniture or equipment purchases (i.e. computers, office equipment and supplies, recreational devices and equipment)
• Procurement of consumables for treatment or testing programs
• Procurement of antiretroviral drugs
• Large-scale programs requiring more than one-time funding
• Salaries and benefits for staff or volunteers
• Supplementing existing fundin

If awarded a small grant, upon completion of the project, the grantee must provide a financial report detailing all expenditures and a narrative explaining how the project goals and objectives were met.  No grants will be awarded to a former grantee who has not completed their reporting requirements.

Proposals are due by April 29, 2011. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Proposals must be either e-mailed or delivered to: 

E-mail:  kobbsa@state.gov