Improving Protection against Influenza and Other Respiratory Pathogens: the US Flu VE Network

The Improving Protection against Influenza and Other Respiratory Pathogens: the US Flu VE Network funding opportunity is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This cooperative agreement supports continuation and expansion of the US Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network, a national research and surveillance initiative focused on evaluating vaccine effectiveness and improving protection against influenza and other respiratory pathogens. The CDC plays a central role in public health research, disease surveillance, and prevention strategies, and this program aligns with its mission to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to generate high quality evidence on vaccine effectiveness and immune protection across diverse populations. The program supports several interconnected research components, including annual vaccine effectiveness and correlates of protection surveillance through outpatient enrollment and laboratory testing, electronic surveillance of acute respiratory illness, household transmission studies, and immunogenicity research. These activities aim to strengthen understanding of how vaccines perform in real world settings and inform public health recommendations. Funding will be distributed through multiple components labeled A through D, each with specific roles. Applicants must apply for either Component A, which focuses on vaccine effectiveness and correlates of protection, or Component B, which focuses on coordination and surge capacity, but not both. Optional components include Component C for household transmission studies and Component D for immunogenicity studies. Funding levels vary by component, with Component A and B sites eligible for up to 1800000 annually, Component C up to 100000 annually, and Component D up to 750000 annually. The total estimated program funding is 75250000 with approximately six awards expected across all components. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state, local, and tribal governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501c3 status, for profit organizations, school districts, and public housing authorities. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. This indicates that the federal government intends to fully fund the approved project costs within the specified limits. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to conduct complex epidemiological surveillance and research activities consistent with CDC standards. The application process is expected to open around October 30, 2026, with a submission deadline of December 31, 2026 at 1159 pm Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically. There are no pre application requirements such as letters of intent specified in the forecast notice. Applicants should prepare detailed proposals outlining their proposed research activities aligned with the required components, including methodology, data collection, analysis plans, and operational capacity. Awards are anticipated to be announced by August 31, 2027, with project start dates around September 30, 2027. The program operates on a federal fiscal year timeline and is expected to support ongoing multi year surveillance and research activities, though the specific period of performance is not explicitly stated in the notice. Evaluation criteria are not detailed in the forecast but are expected to emphasize scientific rigor, feasibility, and alignment with program objectives. The opportunity appears to be part of a recurring federal funding cycle supporting influenza vaccine effectiveness research, although recurrence is not explicitly stated. Interested applicants may contact the program officer, Jocelyn Patterson Mosley, via email or phone for additional information. This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in national public health infrastructure and research capacity to better understand and combat respiratory pathogens.