Keep It Up! (KIU!) is now accepting applications from community-based organizations (CBO) and other HIV service organizations to implement KIU! as part of their existing HIV prevention and testing services. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Synthesis Project recently rated KIU! as a “best evidence” HIV risk reduction intervention for diverse young men who have sex with men (YMSM). KIU! is the first online HIV prevention program for YMSM to be included in the CDC’s Compendium.

KIU! has thus far been tested in two efficacy trials and one implementation trial. KIU! has been found to significantly reduce condomless anal sex and sexually transmitted infections rates. Past participants of the program have rated it highly acceptable and engaging.

“The magic of Keep It Up! is that it delivers HIV prevention messaging in a way that is really accessible to the young men it aims to help,” said Dr. Brian Mustanski, KIU! creator and director of the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing at Northwestern University.  “It does this with a blend of mixed media storytelling, education, and interactive exercises – all done conveniently online and across computers, tablets, and phones.”

The next phase in the development of KIU! will be a national implementation trial funded by the National Institutes of Health. The trial will investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of providing KIU! in CBOs as compared to a direct-to-consumer marketing approach. As a key part of this trial, KIU! seeks CBO applicants for funding to implement the program. Twenty-two CBOs in 22 different counties in the United States will be funded to implement KIU! for this trial.

“Now is the perfect time to grab this opportunity. We’ve demonstrated effectiveness and acceptability. The CDC has recognized us,” said Dr. Mustanski. “The CBOs funded for this trial will be early adopters of what promises to be the next generation of HIV prevention for YMSM.”

To learn more about Keep It Up! and this funding opportunity, visit here.

View the Keep It Up! RFP here.