The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has awarded more than $6.1 million in grants to 77 groups battling the HIV epidemic in innovative ways in the Americas and the Caribbean, according to an EJAF press release.

These awards are the first of two grant cycles for 2017, and they fund a variety of HIV-related programs and needs, ranging from advocacy and policy work to health care programs and social services. Many are focused on helping LGBT people, African Americans, sex workers, youth and HIV-positive prisoners and parolees.

More specifically, EJAF categorizes the awardees as such:

  • 34 grants/$2.6 million to provide HIV-related medical or social support services to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Activities funded include HIV testing programs, helping people start treatment who were recently diagnosed or fallen out of care, helping people on treatment achieve and maintain an “undetectable viral load,” helping people with HIV remain on treatment and rebuild their lives after leaving prison or jail, support groups, drop-in centers and other safe spaces for LGBT people and people living with HIV to socialize and access assistance;

  • 5 grants/$380,000 specifically for services related to syringe access and the health of people who use drugs in regions with a uniquely heightened risk of HIV outbreaks due to the opioid crisis;

  • 6 grants/$450,000 to provide legal counsel to people living with or at risk of HIV to resolve issues related to employment discrimination, housing, insurance or Medicaid coverage, immigration issues and other legal issues that create unique challenges to accessing HIV medication;

  • 25 grants/$1.7 million in activism and advocacy to analyze and bring about changes to laws, policies and regulations that affect the HIV response or adversely harm or marginalize people living or at risk of HIV. Activities including impact litigation, policy analysis, public education and community engagement in the political process;

  • 5 grants/$795,000 for efforts to address laws that unjustly target people living with HIV for criminal prosecution for not disclosing their HIV status, including work in 10 U.S. states to educate state legislators about unjust HIV-related criminal laws; and

  • 5 grants/$340,000 for internships, fellowships and professional training and development programs that support and train future leaders in the HIV response or bring established professionals together to improve their skills and understanding of the evolving needs of people living with HIV.

“For 25 years, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has been committed to aggressively confronting the HIV/AIDS epidemic where it exists,” said EJAF founder Elton John in the press release. “We are proud of this newest round of investments, in which we fund advocacy and services in over 30 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.”

You can read details about each of the 77 grantees here.

EJAF recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. For more about that, read “Elton John on Who Inspired Him to Get Sober and Fight AIDS [VIDEO].”