Enhancing Understanding of and Preparedness for Public Health Threats Through Research in Kenya

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Global Health Center and Office of the Director, is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity titled Enhancing Understanding of and Preparedness for Public Health Threats Through Research in Kenya. This opportunity is designed to advance scientific research and public health preparedness by supporting collaborative work that addresses infectious disease threats in Kenya while also strengthening local research capacity. The initiative reflects CDC’s broader mission to protect the United States and global populations from health threats by investing in surveillance, laboratory science, and epidemiological research in high-risk regions. Kenya is identified as a critical partner due to its role as a regional hub with ongoing exposure to endemic and emerging infectious diseases. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research, implementation science, and public health evaluations that inform best practices for preventing and responding to infectious diseases. The program requires applicants to address four priority areas: influenza and respiratory pathogens, vaccine-preventable diseases, drug-resistant infections, and global and emerging health threats such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. Applicants must include all four priority areas in their proposal, as partial submissions will not be considered. In addition to research activities, the awardee is expected to support research coordination and administrative functions that ensure compliance with U.S. government standards and strengthen institutional capacity within the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning CDC will have substantial involvement in program implementation. The total expected program funding is approximately 30 million dollars over a five-year period, with annual budget periods ranging from 3 million to 6 million dollars. The maximum funding per budget period is 6 million dollars. Funds may be used for allowable programmatic costs including personnel, research activities, and administrative infrastructure, but certain restrictions apply, such as limitations on equipment purchases and prohibitions on pre-award costs. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entity types, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and foreign organizations. However, applicants must demonstrate an established institutional presence in Kenya and a history of collaboration with KEMRI or the Kenya Ministry of Health. Applications must also show access to appropriate research infrastructure and the capacity to conduct complex, multi-disciplinary research. Consortia are permitted, but all applications must designate a single principal investigator. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as the SF-424, PHS 398 Research Plan, budget forms, and supporting documentation. Applicants must submit a separate research plan for each priority area and include an overall management plan. An optional letter of intent is due prior to the full application submission. Applications undergo a two-level review process, beginning with scientific merit review by external experts followed by internal review by federal scientists. Evaluation criteria include significance, investigators, innovation, approach, and environment, along with considerations for human subjects protections and overall impact. Key deadlines include an optional letter of intent due May 23, 2026, and a full application deadline of June 22, 2026. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. The period of performance is five years, structured in annual budget cycles. This opportunity does not explicitly state recurring availability and is treated as a one-time funding announcement. Applicants are encouraged to register early in SAM.gov and Grants.gov due to processing timelines. The program emphasizes collaboration, data sharing, and adherence to CDC priorities, including transparency, evidence-based practices, and global health leadership. Award recipients will be responsible for ongoing reporting, including annual performance reports and financial documentation. CDC will monitor performance through regular engagement and evaluation metrics, ensuring that funded activities contribute to both local and global health security objectives.

Ensure all four priority areas are addressed; demonstrate strong collaboration with KEMRI and MoH; provide clear infrastructure and research capacity evidence; align proposal with CDC priorities and evaluation criteria