Local Public Health Outbreak Preparedness and Response Grant Program

The Local Public Health Outbreak Preparedness and Response Grant Program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Local Public Health, as a competitive funding opportunity designed to strengthen infectious disease preparedness and response capacity across local jurisdictions. The program builds on prior investments in public health infrastructure and reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to equipping local health departments with the tools, workforce, and systems necessary to respond effectively to emerging and persistent public health threats. Local health departments in New Jersey serve as the frontline for outbreak response, and this funding is intended to enhance their ability to detect, prevent, and mitigate infectious diseases within their communities. The primary purpose of the grant is to support innovative, collaborative, and data-driven initiatives that improve outbreak preparedness and response capacity. Applicants are required to propose projects aligned with specific priority areas, including infectious disease surveillance and data modernization, outbreak detection and containment, workforce development, community-based prevention and health equity, and coordination across healthcare and community systems. Projects must demonstrate measurable impact and strengthen both local and regional public health capabilities. The program emphasizes scalable and sustainable solutions that can be maintained beyond the funding period. Funding for this opportunity totals approximately 1,246,250 dollars, with up to five local health departments expected to receive awards of approximately 240,000 dollars each. The grant period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with all funds required to be obligated by the end of the grant period and fully expended by July 30, 2027. This opportunity represents the first year of a two-year funding cycle, with continuation into a second year contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Funds may be used for a range of allowable expenses, including personnel, data systems, equipment, training, and professional services, but are subject to specific restrictions and exclusions outlined by the program. Eligibility is limited to New Jersey local health departments that are listed in the state’s official directory and meet regulatory compliance requirements. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent by the stated deadline to be eligible to apply, and only those who complete this step may proceed with a full application. Additional requirements include submission of letters of support from partner jurisdictions where applicable, adherence to financial and administrative compliance standards, and electronic submission of all materials through the state’s grant management system. The application process requires submission through the System for Administering Grants Electronically, with strict deadlines and no allowance for late submissions. Applicants must complete detailed narrative sections covering assessment of need, project objectives, implementation methods, and evaluation strategies. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria including demonstrated need, organizational capacity, clarity of objectives, strength of implementation plans, collaboration, evaluation design, and sustainability. Applications must also include a detailed budget and justification aligned with allowable cost categories. Key deadlines include the Letter of Intent submission deadline in mid-May, the application opening in late May, and the final application submission deadline in mid-June. Funding decisions are anticipated by the end of June, with project activities beginning on July 1. Awardees are required to submit quarterly progress and expenditure reports, participate in monitoring activities, and comply with all reporting and documentation requirements. The program includes designated contacts within the New Jersey Department of Health for technical assistance and grant management support throughout the project period. Overall, this grant program is designed to strengthen the public health infrastructure of New Jersey by enabling local health departments to develop targeted, evidence-based interventions that enhance outbreak preparedness and response. Through competitive funding and rigorous evaluation, the program seeks to build resilient systems capable of addressing current and future public health challenges while promoting collaboration, innovation, and measurable outcomes across jurisdictions.

Focus on measurable outcomes, strong collaboration, and clear alignment with priority areas; ensure compliance and complete all required sections precisely