AIDSWatch@Home 2026–2027 Grants: Up to US$15,000 for HIV Advocacy and Community Organising
Overview
The AIDSWatch@Home grant programme provides approximately eight grants to locally rooted organisations and coalitions working to strengthen HIV-related advocacy, community leadership and policy engagement. The nine-month programme runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 August 2027. It supports sustained community action, leadership development, public education, coalition building and engagement with decision-makers on state, local, Tribal and territorial issues affecting people living with HIV.
Who can apply
Eligible lead applicants include organisations recognised as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as well as locally rooted organisations or coalitions applying through an eligible 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Applicants must be rooted in and conduct the proposed work within a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, a Tribal Nation or a Tribal community. National or regional organisations must identify a local co-lead with decision-making authority and a defined share of resources. Applicants must also demonstrate appropriate financial systems and be prepared to begin activities on 1 December 2026. Both first-time and returning applicants are eligible to apply.
What you get
Selected organisations may receive grants of up to US$15,000 for approved project activities during the nine-month grant period. Funding may be used for organiser time, compensation or stipends for community leaders, transportation, food, childcare, disability accommodations, interpretation or translation, meeting spaces, coalition-building activities, communications, technology, evaluation, fiscal-sponsorship fees and reasonable indirect costs. Matching funds are not required. Grantees also receive technical assistance, monthly coaching, peer-learning sessions, organising-capacity assessments and support to develop a sustainability plan.
Requirements
Applicants must select a primary policy focus from eligible topics such as Medicaid access, Pre-exposure prophylaxis access, HIV programme funding, AIDS Drug Assistance Program access, HIV decriminalisation and modernisation, or other relevant HIV policy issues. Proposals must outline a realistic organising strategy and include a line-item project budget using the provided template, alongside the organisation's most recent audited financial statements, IRS Form 990, or a detailed explanatory letter. Grantees must plan and deliver a public-facing advocacy activation, policy training or community advocacy institute by 31 May 2027, and grant funds cannot be used for lobbying.
How to apply
Applicants must complete the required application fields and submit all supporting documents, including the budget template, financial documentation and fiscal-sponsorship agreements where applicable. The application requires descriptions of the policy focus, organising opportunity, coalition strategy, community leadership, accessibility arrangements, proposed activation, measurable results and sustainability plans.
Key dates
The application deadline is 30 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Conditional award notifications will be issued by 20 November 2026. The grant period runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 August 2027. The organising plan is due by 28 February 2027, the primary public-facing activation must be completed by 31 May 2027, and final reporting and the sustainability plan are due by 31 August 2027.