SERO PROJECT ANNOUNCES 6TH YEAR OF AMP MICROGRANTS WITH SUPPORT FROM ViiV HEALTHCARE

The Sero Project, with generous support from ViiV Healthcare, is proud to announce the sixth year of the AMP Microgrant Program, opening August 18, 2026, following the “How to Apply” webinar. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2026.

Now in its sixth year, the AMP (Activate, Mobilize, Power) Microgrant Program continues to invest in grassroots leadership and community-driven strategies to challenge HIV criminalization. Made possible through ViiV Healthcare's Positive Action program funding,

Sero is committed to empowering individuals and small organizations working at the intersection of justice, public health, and human rights.

The AMP program provides more than just funding; it offers mentorship, technical support, and a growing network of advocates. Microgrants will be awarded to original projects led by and for people living with HIV (PLHIV), with a focus on advancing HIV criminalization reform. Sero will serve as both incubator and fiscal sponsor for awardees, helping bring bold, creative ideas to life.

This year’s AMP Microgrants will support:

• Funding for innovative community-led projects
• Capacity building to help strengthen grassroots infrastructure
• Technical support to ensure meaningful, measurable outcomes
• Mentorship and networking to connect grantees with experienced leaders in the field

Through this initiative, Sero reaffirms its commitment to placing resources directly into the hands of those most affected by HIV-related stigma and criminalization—amplifying the voices and leadership of PLHIV.

“The SERO AMP Grant program supports individuals and coalitions of people living with HIV who are leading grassroots efforts to educate their communities about HIV criminalization. Serving as the Sero AMP Coordinator has been deeply rewarding–witnessing grantees, many for the first time, confidently bring their brilliance to life through their projects and advocacy has been inspiring beyond measure,” said Tana Pradia.

Leisha McKinley-Beach, Founder & CEO of Black Public Health Academy, said "AMP micro-grants are critical to ending the HIV epidemic because they empower trusted grassroots organizations to lead solutions from within their communities. These investments help expand HIV education, reduce stigma, increase access to prevention and care, and ensure that the voices of those most impacted remain at the center of the work."

Past Achievements: Over the past five years, Sero’s AMP microgrant program has supported 50 projects across 20 states. These projects have included advocacy training academies for state coalitions, retreats for women in the South, podcasts, and coalition-building efforts focused on HIV criminalization reform.

2027 Grant Cycle: For this grant cycle, Sero Project aims to fund up to ten (10) projects that prioritize bringing PLHIV to the decision-making tables and supporting grassroots individuals and coalitions working on HIV criminalization reform projects.

Only applications from organizations or individuals with a budget under $250,000 will be considered.

• 8-$10,000 grants
• 2-$15,000 grants (only those that have been awarded previous Sero Project AMP grants will be eligible for this funding)

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NOTE:

• YOU CAN APPLY FOR BOTH GRANTS BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR EACH GRANT AMOUNT, HOWEVER YOU CAN ONLY BE AWARDED ONE (1) GRANT.
• ALL PROJECTS MUST focus on state HIV criminalization work.

Projects Not Eligible for Funding:

• We will not fund lobbying efforts
• We will not fund projects that don’t center racial justice
• We will not fund general operating expenses for an organization (ie.  rent, utilities, etc)
• We will not fund projects that do not uplift the collective of the impact of HIV criminalization
• We will not fund projects that utilize more than 10% of the budget for conference attendance
• We will not fund projects outside of the United States

Projects we will fund:

• Leadership opportunities for PLHIV in state HIV criminalization coalition work,
• Strategic planning meetings for state coalitions working on HIV criminalization reform,
• Community forums to educate community and legislators on HIV criminalization reform,
• Projects that promote racial justice
• Financial justice for PLHIV in HIV criminalization reform efforts such as stipends and reimbursement for telephone, internet access, technology, etc.

For more information on applying for the AMP microgrants, including application guidelines and deadlines, please

Contact:

Tana Pradia

ampcoordinator@seroproject.com

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Key dates and links:

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• August 18, 2026 @ 4 pm ET/3 pm CT/2 pm MT/1 pm PT- 2027 AMP Grant “How to Apply” webinar; Register now at https://bit.ly/2027HowToAMP; Applications open; recording will be linked in the application.
• ‍September 30, 2026 @ 5 pm ET/4 pm CT/3 pm MT/2 pm PT - Application DEADLINE‍
• ‍November 17, 2026 - Grant award notifications sent via email
• ‍January 12, 2027 - 2026 Grantee Welcome Webinar (Invitation to be provided to those awarded an AMP Microgrant)

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About the Sero Project: Sero centers PLHIV leadership to end HIV criminalization, mass incarceration, racism and social injustice by supporting inclusive PLHIV networks to improve policy outcomes, advance human rights and promote healing justice. Sero is focused on ending inappropriate criminal prosecutions of PLHIV, including for non-disclosure of their HIV status, potential or perceived HIV exposure or HIV

transmission and on building and supporting PLHIV networks.  For more information, please visit www.seroproject.com.

About ViiV Healthcare:  ViiV Healthcare is a global specialist HIV company established in November 2009 with GSK (LSE: GSK) and Shionogi as shareholders. The company is dedicated to delivering advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV and for people who could benefit from HIV prevention. ViiV Healthcare’s aims are to take a deeper and broader interest in HIV and AIDS than any company has done before and take a new approach to deliver effective and innovative medicines for HIV treatment and prevention, as well as support communities affected by HIV.

For more information on the company, its management, portfolio, pipeline, and commitment, please visit viivhealthcare.com.

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