Expanded Surveillance for Pediatric Infectious Diseases

The Expanded Surveillance for Pediatric Infectious Diseases opportunity is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This funding initiative is structured as a cooperative agreement and is designed to support a coordinated national network of institutions conducting active surveillance of pediatric infectious diseases. The program aligns with the federal public health mission to prevent disease, disability, and death through immunization and control of respiratory and related illnesses. By leveraging standardized protocols and multi-site collaboration, the CDC seeks to strengthen national data infrastructure related to pediatric acute respiratory illness and acute gastroenteritis. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish and support a surveillance network that systematically collects and analyzes data on pediatric acute respiratory illness and acute gastroenteritis. The program emphasizes prospective and active surveillance methodologies, focusing particularly on viral pathogens such as influenza, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory and enteric viruses. Through these efforts, recipients are expected to generate robust and generalizable estimates of prevention product effectiveness, including vaccines and other interventions, within pediatric populations seeking healthcare services. Funding supports multiple components, with Component A serving as the required core element. This core component requires recipients to conduct surveillance in inpatient and emergency department settings using standardized CDC protocols. Additional optional components allow applicants to expand their scope to outpatient surveillance, study immune response and infection, and examine immunization-related immune responses. Funds may be used to support patient enrollment, laboratory testing using molecular assays, data collection and analysis, and operational activities necessary to maintain surveillance systems. The cooperative agreement structure indicates that the CDC will maintain substantial involvement in program implementation and oversight. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations, including state and local governments, institutions of higher education, tribal governments and organizations, school districts, and housing authorities. The eligibility criteria reflect an inclusive approach to participation, enabling institutions with the necessary infrastructure and expertise to contribute to national surveillance efforts. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity, reducing financial barriers to participation and enabling broader institutional engagement. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through electronic systems, with all applications required to be submitted by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants can anticipate requirements such as project narratives, budgets, and documentation demonstrating capacity to conduct surveillance activities. Evaluation will likely focus on the applicant's ability to implement standardized protocols, maintain data quality, and contribute meaningful insights to national public health objectives. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecasted stage, with an estimated posting date in late October and an application deadline at the end of December. Awards are anticipated to be issued in late July of the following year, with project activities beginning in early September. This structured timeline provides applicants with advance notice to prepare proposals and align institutional resources. As a forecasted opportunity, organizations are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare early for submission. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in pediatric infectious disease surveillance, with the goal of improving clinical practices, informing prevention strategies, and reducing disease burden among children. By generating high-quality, standardized data across multiple sites, the program aims to enhance understanding of disease patterns and intervention effectiveness, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making in public health.

Ensure alignment with CDC standardized protocols demonstrate capacity for active surveillance and data quality systems