Public Health England (PHE) announces an HIV Prevention Innovation Fund for 2016 to 2017 of up to £600,000 for local prevention initiatives. The Fund will support local projects that offer new and innovative ways of delivering HIV prevention, aiming to turn around the ever increasing numbers of new HIV diagnoses among certain groups of the population. 
PHE is encouraging voluntary organisations to apply for national funding to support innovative HIV projects across England. Applications are encouraged from voluntary sector organisations, supported by their local authority, for projects that target groups at high risk.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) remains a public health concern despite major advances in treatment. An estimated 103,700 people in the UK have HIV with a sixth (18,100) unaware and at risk of unknowingly passing on the virus to others.
The risk of infection is higher in certain groups of the population; gay and bisexual men and Black African communities. However, targeted and innovative local initiatives can reduce the risk of people contracting or passing on HIV.
PHE has announced an HIV Prevention Innovation Fund for 2016 to 2017 of up to £600,000, for local HIV prevention initiatives.
Proposals are particularly welcomed that tackle:
• diagnosis for both HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
• stigma associated with HIV
• other risky behaviours that can increase risk of contracting HIV such as drug and alcohol misuse
• the integration of HIV prevention into wider sexual and reproductive health
This year, PHE are especially interested in proposals that address HIV and STI diagnosis, stigma, wider determinants of risk behaviour such as drug and alcohol use, and the further integration of HIV prevention into sexual and reproductive health services. Applications are encouraged from voluntary sector organisations that focus on those groups at higher risk of HIV.
The total available fund for 2016/17 is up to £600,000.
Those interested in the fund are asked to register at: [email protected].
For further information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-for-local-hiv-prevention
Deadline: Thursday 16 June 2016