1. Statement of Need Early access to HIV care and treatment has been shown to prolong life, improve health outcomes, and reduce the likelihood of viral transmission. Late presentation to HIV care is common, particularly among Blacks/African-Americans and Latinos/Hispanics, and has been associated with higher mortality and diminished immune recovery. 1,2 Recent estimates suggest that approximately 30% of individuals in the US diagnosed with HIV currently are not receiving treatment. 3 Furthermore, marginalized populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, substance users, the homeless, the uninsured and the impoverished are less likely to be receiving HIV treatment than the general population. 4 Barriers to accessing and staying in care are significant and can be cultural, psychological, emotional, structural or societal. Funding Opportunity In response to this significant unmet need, Janssen Therapeutics is requesting applications describing programs to increase access and consistent engagement with the healthcare system for HIV-positive individuals not currently receiving care. Proposed programs should commence no sooner than December 2011. Awards will be one‐year commitments up to $40,000. Programs should target hard-to- reach populations and address the following documented barriers to care and treatment for persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS: Fear of medication side effects; lack of understanding of benefits of treatment Lack of information/awareness of resources; low health literacy and treatment self-efficacy Substance use or mental health barriers Lack of personal support structure(s) or psychosocial support services Stigma, shame, denial, isolation and fear of disclosure Societal homophobia or discrimination Medical system inefficiencies; lack of cultural competence within healthcare system Support provided through this initiative should: Strengthen linkages to HIV care for individuals who are newly diagnosed with HIV Engage patients who are currently not receiving HIV care or who have dropped out of care Strengthen service systems to better engage and retain patients in care This is not an HIV testing initiative. Strong consideration will be given to small community‐based organizations. Partnership between local health departments, community health centers, and other community‐based organizations is strongly encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to measure outcomes related to barriers to care, linkage to care, retention in care, and quality of care. This initiative is a two-phase process. Letters of Intent must be must be submitted by August 12. A select number of applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by September 30. Additional details, including the Letter of Intent template, general submission requirements and a list of frequently asked questions, are available at www.ttgrants.com.www.ttgrants.com 1 Late Presentation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care in the United States and Canada. Althoff KN, et al. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2010; 50(11):1512–1520; 2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2007, Vol. 19. 3 Based on US Census (July 2011), CDC: HIV in the United States (July 2010), and market research estimates (June 2011). 4 Cunningham WE, Sohler N, Tobias C, et al. Health Services Utilization for People with HIV Infection: Comparison of a Population Targeted for Outreach with the U.S. Population in Care. Med Care 2006: 44:1038-47. Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP 2011