Expanding global health security through local partnerships in Ethiopia

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, through the Global Health Center and Division of Global Health Protection, is offering the Expanding global health security through local partnerships in Ethiopia funding opportunity under opportunity number CDC-RFA-JG-26-0046 and Assistance Listing 93.318. The cooperative agreement is intended to strengthen Ethiopia's public health systems so the country can prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health threats. CDC has coordinated with the Government of Ethiopia since 2001, and this opportunity builds on prior work involving surveillance systems, laboratory networks, emergency operations centers, and workforce development. The program addresses continuing infectious disease threats such as anthrax, cholera, measles, malaria, dengue fever, mpox, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, as well as challenges associated with rural and conflict-affected areas, antimicrobial resistance, limited border health measures, and coordination across human and animal health sectors. The program focuses on six strategies. These are strengthening leadership and coordination at national and regional levels; integrating and building capacity in public health laboratory systems and diagnostic networks; improving early warning surveillance and public health event verification; strengthening public health workforce capacity; enhancing the multisectoral One Health approach across animal, human, and environmental sectors; and strengthening public health programs, health service delivery, and implementation science programs. Activities may include strengthening national and regional emergency operations centers, leadership training, simulation exercises, improving laboratory diagnostic protocols and information systems, strengthening procurement and distribution of diagnostic supplies and equipment, investing in digital surveillance platforms, supporting the Field Epidemiology Training Program, mentoring rapid response teams, improving multisector data sharing, supporting public health campaigns and vaccination activities, and providing technical assistance for disease 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, resulting in a five-year period of performance. Applicants must apply for all five components and provide the required component 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, has a ceiling of 10000000; Component 4, Emerging Infectious Disease Threats, has a ceiling of 15000000; and Component 5, Emergency Management, has a ceiling of 750000. Component 1 core activities are expected to receive initial funding, while other components may be approved but unfunded until resources become available. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of project funding is expected to support monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. Research is not allowable, clinical care is prohibited except as allowed by law, and pre-award costs require authorization. The program has no required cost sharing or matching funds. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofits 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. All projects must be conducted in Ethiopia. Each organization may submit only one application under its UEI. CDC also provides a local partner funding preference worth 15 additional selection points when the prime applicant satisfies the applicable local partner definition and submits the required documentation. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 2, 2026. Applicants must maintain required SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and use the UEI associated with the physical location receiving federal funds. Required materials include a one-page project summary, a project narrative of no more than 30 pages, a budget narrative, SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL when applicable, and required attachments. Attachments include a table of contents, experience statement, financial capability statement, resumes and job descriptions, organizational chart, project management strategy, an indirect cost agreement when applicable, a report on overlap when applicable, and local partner preference documentation when seeking the preference. Applicants must also submit initial evaluation and performance measurement and data management plans. Application materials must be in English, monetary amounts must be stated in U.S. dollars, and the project narrative and budget must address all required components. Applications first undergo a responsiveness review. Responsive applications proceed to a merit review conducted by a panel and are scored on a 100-point scale. Background and approach is worth 35 points, the evaluation and performance measurement plan is worth 35 points, and organizational capacity is worth 30 points. CDC then ranks applications and conducts a risk review. Selection may also consider avoidance of duplication with other CDC programs, stated funding preferences, unforeseen public health emergencies, available funding, geographic coverage of global health security activities, and awarding program priorities. The local partner preference can add 15 points after merit review. CDC may fund an application in whole or in part, reduce the requested amount, restrict subawarding, fund applications out of rank order for stated reasons, or make no awards. The expected award and start date is October 30, 2026, and applicants are expected to receive notification of their application status by the end of October 2026. Successful applicants receive an official Notice of Award by email to the authorized official and may not begin work until that notice is received. Post-award requirements include financial and performance reporting, an updated evaluation and performance measurement plan and data management plan within six months, annual performance reports, financial reports, and other required monitoring. Program questions may be directed to DGHP NOFOs at DGHPNOFOs@cdc.gov. The grants management contact is Randolph Williams, Grants Management Officer, at gur2@cdc.gov. Grants.gov technical support is available at support@Grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. The notice does not state that this opportunity recurs on an annual, biennial, quarterly, or other recurring schedule.

Focus the narrative on evidence-based realistic achievable and measurable activities that reach regional and community levels in Ethiopia. Align the work plan with the NOFO strategies activities outcomes and performance measures. Demonstrate local experience in Ethiopia and strong operational technical financial grant and contract management capacity. Provide credible systems for financial and program reporting and performance data. Include a comprehensive project management strategy with routine technical and financial communication deliverable tracking and risk mitigation. Observe the 30-page project narrative limit and all component ceilings because violations can make the application nonresponsive.