Building National Partnerships for the Prevention of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is offering a cooperative agreement titled Building National Partnerships for the Prevention of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases. This funding opportunity is administered through the Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion and the Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Coordination Unit. The program is designed to strengthen the nation’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats by fostering collaboration among national, regional, and local organizations. The initiative builds upon CDC’s longstanding role in safeguarding public health and emphasizes infrastructure development, workforce training, and improved coordination across healthcare and public health systems. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish and strengthen resilient public health infrastructure through national partnerships. The program focuses on enhancing infection prevention and control practices, expanding workforce training, improving healthcare facility resilience, and strengthening emergency response capabilities. The funding is structured across four components: a required foundational infrastructure component and three optional components addressing emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections, and outbreak response. Applicants must apply for the required infrastructure component and at least one additional component, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated approach to public health preparedness. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from CDC staff throughout the project lifecycle. The total expected program funding is $150 million over a five-year period, with approximately 30 awards anticipated. Individual award amounts vary by component, with baseline funding provided annually for infrastructure and additional funding for specialized activities. Funds may be used for programmatic infrastructure, workforce development, training, communication strategies, and emergency preparedness activities. However, funds cannot be used for research, clinical care (except where authorized), lobbying, or other restricted activities outlined in federal regulations. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing state, local, and tribal governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, faith-based organizations, and community health centers. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to manage large-scale public health initiatives, including staffing, financial systems, data infrastructure, and partnership coordination. Only one application per organization is permitted, and applicants must submit separate work plans and budgets for each component requested. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a project summary, project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple supporting attachments such as organizational charts, resumes, and a data management plan. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including background and approach, strategies and activities, expected outcomes, work plan quality, evaluation methodology, and organizational capacity. CDC also conducts risk assessments and may consider alignment with agency priorities when making funding decisions. Awards may be made out of rank order based on geographic needs, public health priorities, and emergency conditions. Key dates include an informational call scheduled for June 12, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be issued by August 31, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. The period of performance spans five years, with annual budget periods and ongoing reporting requirements. Recipients must submit performance and financial reports, including annual progress reports and a detailed evaluation plan within the first six months of the award. CDC maintains active involvement throughout the project, providing technical assistance, monitoring progress, and facilitating collaboration among recipients and partners. The agency also supports data collection, evaluation, and dissemination of findings to improve national public health outcomes. This funding opportunity represents a strategic investment in strengthening the United States’ preparedness and response capabilities for infectious disease threats through coordinated, evidence-based, and scalable approaches.

Ensure strong alignment with CDC priorities; clearly map strategies to outcomes; demonstrate organizational capacity and partnerships; provide detailed evaluation and performance measurement plans; submit complete multi-component work plans