The Caribbean’s HIV response has made important strides over the years, but for many key population groups (KPs), barriers such as stigma, discrimination, criminalization, gender-based violence, and fear of accessing public services continue to limit access to life-saving prevention and care. To help break these barriers and accelerate progress, the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC), in partnership with Centro de Orientación e Investigación Integral (COIN), has launched Innovation Grants for Community-Led HIV Prevention and Testing.
Funded under the Global Fund-supported “Catalyzing Innovation for HIV Prevention in the Caribbean: A Multi-Country Grant for Equitable and Sustainable Access” initiative, the grants will support civil society and community-led organizations to design, test, and scale bold, practical solutions that improve HIV testing, PrEP/PEP access, and comprehensive prevention services.
“These Innovation Grants are about putting power and resources directly in the hands of communities,” said Ivan Cruickshank, Executive Director of CVC. “We know that community-led responses are not just complementary to national HIV programmes, they are essential. Because the people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions.”
Driving Impact Through Results-Based Innovation
Each grant, valued between USD 40,000 and 70,000, will operate under a Results-Based Contracting (RBC) mechanism, meaning funding is linked to demonstrated results. Projects must therefore deliver measurable improvements in access to services for key populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, migrants, people who use drugs, and people in prisons.
Organizations must select one primary focus area to include; HIV testing and linkage to care; PrEP/PEP access and adherence support; or comprehensive and person-centered HIV/STI prevention. The chosen focus area should also integrate four mandatory innovation areas across their proposals. These areas are: use of technology, service delivery model improvement, addressing human rights and gender barriers and strategic data use.
This ensures that funded projects are not only creative, but also scalable, data-driven, rights-based, and aligned with national priorities. “We’re looking for innovations that are practical and scalable. Ideas that governments can adopt and sustain,” Cruickshank explained. “This is about generating real evidence, strengthening partnerships with Ministries of Health, and creating models that can be replicated across the region.”
Regional Collaboration, National Ownership
Eligible organizations must be legally registered in Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Cuba, or Haiti. A minimum of one grant per country will be awarded, contingent on eligible submissions.
The selection process includes a two-stage evaluation: first at the national level to ensure alignment with country needs and community leadership, and then at the regional level to assess broader impact, scalability, and sustainability. Government endorsement will be sought prior to final award, reinforcing national integration and long-term sustainability.
Additionally, shortlisted applicants will receive structured technical assistance, including an Implementation Research workshop designed to strengthen evidence generation, monitoring systems, and strategic learning.
A Vision for Sustainable Change
With an implementation period running from May 2026 to April 2028, the Innovation Grants represent more than a funding opportunity, they are an investment in community leadership, accountability, and systemic transformation. “Communities have always led the HIV response in the Caribbean,” Cruickshank added. “This initiative is about accelerating that leadership, removing barriers, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that innovation translates into equitable access for those who need it most.”
