Increasing awareness and knowledge of Alpha-gal Syndrome in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), is forecasting a funding opportunity titled "Increasing awareness and knowledge of Alpha-gal Syndrome in the United States." This cooperative agreement aims to enhance understanding and surveillance of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), an emerging condition linked to tick bites that causes a delayed allergic reaction to mammalian meat and products. Despite growing concerns, AGS is not currently a nationally notifiable disease, and public awareness remains limited. The CDC seeks to address this gap through coordinated research, education, and surveillance initiatives. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outlines three key strategies. The first, SHARE, mandates the formation of an association of AGS professionals to facilitate dissemination of the latest knowledge across stakeholders, including healthcare providers, academic researchers, public health agencies, and advocacy groups. This collaboration aims to improve both patient care and the overall public health response. The second strategy, EDUCATE, supports the development of targeted communications for both the general public and healthcare providers. This includes creating awareness materials for at-risk populations, such as outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners, as well as clinical training and education resources for medical professionals. The third optional strategy, TRACK, encourages enhanced surveillance of AGS cases, especially in populations with limited access to specialty healthcare, and allows applicants to consider the impact of social determinants of health. Applicants are required to implement the SHARE strategy, while participation in the EDUCATE and TRACK strategies is optional. The cooperative agreement is expected to fund up to three awards, with a total program funding ceiling of $10 million. Individual awards will range from $25,000 to $1 million, and no cost-sharing or matching is required. The CDC encourages a broad range of eligible entities to apply, including state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, public and private institutions of higher education, school districts, and for-profit organizations. Bona fide agents are also eligible, with further guidance available on the CDC's grant administration webpage. The anticipated timeline for this opportunity includes an estimated post date of February 28, 2026, with applications due by May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced by July 1, 2026, with projects beginning on September 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. No pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are specified in the forecast. Applicants are advised to review the NOFO thoroughly upon release to ensure full compliance with submission requirements and strategic alignment. The primary contact for inquiries is Jeff Borchert, who can be reached at gqx1@cdc.gov or (970) 221-6494. Interested applicants should monitor the Grants.gov listing for updates and prepare for a potentially competitive selection process based on technical merit, relevance to AGS objectives, and organizational capacity.