HHS Announces Funding Opportunities for Populations at Risk or Living with HIV/AIDS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced three funding opportunities to strengthen mental health and substance use services for individuals at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS. The funding, totaling $43.7 million, is being deployed to help underserved communities and aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

The funding programs include:

• Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations at High Risk for HIV/AIDS – Provides funding to increase care for racial and ethnic minority individuals with cooccurring substance use and mental health challenges who are at risk for or are living with HIV/AIDS and receive HIV primary care and other services. The grant will fund up to $30.5 million over five years to up to 61 grantees.

• Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities – Provides funding for training and education around the risks of substance use and HIV/AIDS, as well as the integration of a range of services for persons with HIV/AIDS. The program uses a navigation approach, including community health workers, neighborhood navigators, and peer support specialists, to expedite services for these populations. The grant will fund up to $4.5 million over five years to up to 18 grantees.

• Minority AIDS Initiative Service Integration – Provides funding to reduce cooccurring epidemicsof HIV, Hepatitis, and mental health challenges through accessible, evidence-based, culturally appropriate treatment that is integrated with HIV primary care and prevention services. The grant will fund $8.7 million over four years up to 18 grantees.

Additional information on the funding opportunities is available here.