Early Detection, Response, and Control of Global Rabies Outbreaks and Associated Threats to America's Dog-Rabies Free Status

The funding opportunity titled Early Detection, Response, and Control of Global Rabies Outbreaks and Associated Threats to America's Dog-Rabies Free Status is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to infectious disease prevention and global health security, particularly in mitigating zoonotic diseases such as rabies. The CDC plays a central role in coordinating national and international efforts to monitor, prevent, and respond to infectious disease threats, and this cooperative agreement is designed to extend that mission through targeted research and technological innovation. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research initiatives that advance early detection, response mechanisms, and control strategies for rabies outbreaks globally. A major emphasis is placed on protecting the United States’ dog-rabies-free status by addressing risks originating from international sources. The program focuses on high-burden countries where canine rabies remains prevalent and aims to generate scalable, data-driven solutions that can accelerate global elimination efforts. The research is expected to contribute to measurable reductions in human rabies cases and improve surveillance systems worldwide. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support a range of activities centered on technological development and implementation. Allowable uses include the creation and enhancement of electronic systems for tracking human and animal vaccinations, tools for managing rabies exposure investigations, and improvements to laboratory information management systems. Additional areas of interest include economic modeling of rabies intervention strategies and methods for estimating populations of rabies-susceptible dogs. These activities must be designed to produce actionable data that informs policy and strengthens global response frameworks. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of domestic and international entities. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, and for-profit organizations excluding small businesses. Foreign applicants and components are explicitly permitted, reinforcing the global scope of the program and its emphasis on international collaboration. The application process is expected to be conducted electronically, with submissions required through the designated federal grants platform by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants should anticipate standard federal grant requirements such as research plans, budgets, and supporting documentation. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity, which may lower barriers to entry for eligible organizations. Evaluation criteria are not specified in the forecast but will likely focus on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential public health impact. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecast stage, with an estimated posting date in late October 2026 and an application deadline in early February 2027. Awards are expected to be made by late July 2027, with project activities commencing in September 2027. The program anticipates issuing a single award, with total funding estimated at two million dollars and individual award amounts ranging from one hundred fifty thousand dollars to four hundred thousand dollars. The period of performance is not explicitly stated but is implied to begin at the project start date. Applicants seeking additional information or clarification may contact the designated program official, Robert Brian York, via email or telephone. As this is a forecasted opportunity, interested parties are encouraged to monitor official postings for updates, detailed application instructions, and any changes to the timeline or requirements. The program represents a strategic investment in global health innovation and underscores the importance of proactive measures in controlling zoonotic disease threats.