Protecting and Improving Global Health Security by Engaging Local Partners: Strengthening and Sustaining Public Health Systems in Ghana

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, through the Global Health Center and Division of Global Health Protection, is offering the Protecting and Improving Global Health Security by Engaging Local Partners: Strengthening and Sustaining Public Health Systems in Ghana funding opportunity under opportunity number CDC-RFA-JG-26-0047 and Assistance Listing 93.318. This cooperative agreement is intended to build and sustain a more resilient public health system in Ghana that can detect, notify, and respond to public health threats. The program builds on laboratory, surveillance, emergency response, and workforce development activities previously supported by CDC and seeks to strengthen country capacity and leadership at national and subnational levels. Particular areas of emphasis include disease surveillance and laboratory capacity in border districts, genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, emergency preparedness and response, and development of the public health workforce. The purpose of the opportunity is to advance global health security objectives through partnerships in Ghana. Required strategies encompass laboratory, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness and response support; assessments and implementation science to improve health systems and public health programs; public health workforce training; mobilization of personnel during emergencies; collaboration among local public health, academic research, government, and multilateral organizations; coordination between governments and multilateral organizations during emergencies; and strengthening public health programs, health service delivery, and implementation science programs. Activities include improving diagnostic and genomic sequencing capacity, strengthening specimen referral and transport, conducting risk assessments, improving surveillance and data use, supporting emergency operations centers and rapid response teams, strengthening biosafety and biosecurity, providing workforce training, improving disease reporting, and supporting evidence-based public health services and outbreak response. CDC expects total Year 1 funding of 8000000 across an anticipated two to four awards. Projects are planned for five 12-month budget periods, producing a five-year period of performance. Applicants must apply for all components and provide the required component-specific budgets and work plans. Component 1, Core Global Health Security Priorities, has a ceiling of 2000000. Component 2, Rapid Small-Scale Response to Infectious Disease Outbreaks or other Public Health Emergencies, has a ceiling of 5000000. Component 3, Rapid Large-Scale Response to Infectious Disease Outbreaks or other Public Health Emergencies, has a ceiling of 5000000. Component 4, Emerging Infectious Disease Threats, has a ceiling of 10000000. Only Component 1 core activities are expected to be funded initially, while the other components may be approved but unfunded until funding becomes available. Continuation funding for later years depends on available funds, satisfactory progress, and a determination that continued funding serves the federal government's best interest. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of project funding is expected to support monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. There is no required cost sharing or matching. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and foreign or non-U.S.-based entities. Projects must be conducted in Ghana. An organization may submit only one application under its UEI. CDC provides a 15-point selection preference for qualifying local partners that document their status. Applications are nonresponsive if they are from an ineligible organization, arrive after the deadline, propose research, exceed applicable Year 1 component ceilings, exceed the 30-page project narrative limit, omit required components, are not in English, use currency other than U.S. dollars in the budget or budget narrative, or fall outside the NOFO scope. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants need active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and a UEI associated with the physical location receiving federal funds. The application includes a one-page project summary, a project narrative of no more than 30 pages, a budget narrative, and required forms including SF-424 and SF-424A and SF-LLL when applicable. Required attachments include a table of contents, experience statement, financial capability statement, resumes and job descriptions, organizational chart, applicable indirect cost agreement, and report on overlap. Documentation of local partner status is required when seeking the funding preference. Applicants must also submit an initial evaluation and performance measurement plan and an initial data management plan. The project narrative is scored on Background and Approach for 40 points, Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan for 30 points, and Organizational Capacity for 30 points. Reviewers consider technical soundness, measurable timelines, monitoring and evaluation procedures, technical capacity in Ghana, understanding of the public health context, financial and program reporting systems, qualified staff, and local implementation experience. Funds may be used only for reasonable program purposes consistent with the award and applicable federal requirements. Research is prohibited, and clinical care is prohibited except as allowed by law. Pre-award costs require authorization. Lobbying-related expenditures and other prohibited activities described in the NOFO are unallowable. Furniture and equipment generally may not be purchased unless clearly identified and justified. Human or animal subject activities requiring protocol approval cannot be implemented with award funds until the necessary approvals are obtained, although specified preparatory activities may be supported. Applicants must comply with applicable Ghanaian laws and regulations and CDC priorities and must avoid duplication with activities already implemented by other CDC-funded organizations. Applications are due Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. CDC expects the award and project start date to be October 30, 2026 and expects to notify applicants of their status by the end of October 2026. Successful applicants receive a Notice of Award by email to the authorized official. Program questions may be directed to DGHPNOFOs@cdc.gov. The Grants Management Officer is Randolph Williams, reachable at gur2@cdc.gov. Grants.gov technical support is available at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. The source does not state that this funding opportunity recurs annually or on another regular schedule, so no future recurring cycle is established.

Use the exact required project narrative headings and order; align activities directly with the NOFO strategies and Ghana's public health context; provide measurable timelines, clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, and evidence-based achievable activities; demonstrate technical capacity and staff experience implementing public health programs in Ghana; provide strong financial and program reporting systems; avoid duplication with other CDC-funded activities; apply for all required components and remain within each applicable component ceiling; prioritize Background and Approach because it carries 40 of 100 merit-review points and is the first criterion used to resolve tied scores.