Enhancing global laboratory systems to safely manage biological risks, deploy diagnostics, and sequence pathogens to improve capacities for global health threat response and detection

The Enhancing global laboratory systems to safely manage biological risks, deploy diagnostics, and sequence pathogens to improve capacities for global health threat response and detection opportunity is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program is managed through the Global Health Center, Division of Global Health Protection, and is designed to strengthen global health security by improving laboratory systems that support disease detection, prevention, and response. This initiative builds on prior global health security efforts and reflects lessons learned from recent outbreaks such as COVID-19 and Monkeypox, emphasizing the need for rapid detection, data sharing, and coordinated international response systems. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen global laboratory systems across multiple sectors to detect, prevent, and respond to emerging and reemerging health threats. The program focuses on improving laboratory infrastructure, enhancing quality management systems, building a trained and resilient workforce, managing biological risks, and strengthening preparedness for public health emergencies. Activities supported under this program include improving diagnostic capabilities, expanding genomic sequencing capacity, strengthening biosafety and biosecurity practices, and enhancing data systems for real-time disease surveillance. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, reflecting substantial involvement by the CDC in program implementation. The total expected funding for the first year is approximately six million dollars, with two to three awards anticipated. The program is structured across three components: core global health security activities, moderate emergency response activities, and large-scale emergency response activities. Applicants are required to submit budgets and work plans for all three components, although initial funding may prioritize the core component. Funding may be expanded in future years depending on availability of funds, performance, and public health needs. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes U.S. and international entities such as state and local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and foreign entities. Projects must be implemented in one or more specified global regions, including areas such as Southeast Asia, West Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America, among others. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with these geographic priorities and demonstrate the ability to operate across multiple countries or regions. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, work plans for each component, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must address background and approach, evaluation and performance measurement plans, and organizational capacity. Applications are evaluated based on a 100 point scoring system, with emphasis on the strength of the proposed strategy, evaluation framework, and demonstrated organizational experience. Additional requirements include submission of data management plans and evaluation plans, which must be refined after award. The application deadline is July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, with anticipated awards issued by the end of September 2026. The period of performance is five years, consisting of five 12 month budget periods. Reporting requirements include annual performance reports, financial reports, and evaluation updates. The CDC maintains an active role throughout the project period, providing technical guidance, monitoring performance, and ensuring alignment with federal priorities. Applicants must also comply with federal regulations, reporting standards, and programmatic requirements as outlined in the funding announcement.

Align proposal clearly with CDC global health priorities and demonstrate measurable outcomes; ensure strong evaluation framework and realistic implementation plan; highlight prior international experience and partnerships