Strengthening Ghana Health Service laboratory services, diagnostic networks, and systems for a more effective, efficient, and sustainable response to HIV, TB, and other priority health threats

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health Center, Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, is offering the cooperative agreement Strengthening Ghana Health Service laboratory services, diagnostic networks, and systems for a more effective, efficient, and sustainable response to HIV, TB, and other priority health threats, opportunity number CDC-RFA-JG-26-0178. The program provides operational support through financial and technical resources to the Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health. Its goal is to improve laboratory capacity and the delivery of high-quality, efficient services for HIV, tuberculosis, and other priority health areas. The program is intended to strengthen HIV testing, treatment, retention, and viral suppression by supporting appropriate diagnostic technologies, developing staff capacity, and increasing the Government of Ghana's ability to lead and manage laboratory services, diagnostic networks, and related systems. The program focuses on three major strategies. The first supports development, coordination, and implementation of comprehensive capacity-building strategies for laboratory networks, point-of-care testing, and data management. The second supports an institutionalized national quality assurance and quality improvement system across clinical and laboratory services. The third strengthens health systems and policy requirements for national coordination and response to HIV, TB, and other public health threats. Priority activities include strengthening quality management systems, proficiency testing, continuous quality improvement, laboratory information systems, specimen transport, laboratory dashboards, geographic information system mapping, molecular testing capacity, supply forecasting and procurement planning, workforce development, and integration of laboratory information with national health data platforms. Activities must be conducted in Ghana in cooperation with the Ghana Health Service. CDC expects total NOFO funding of 500000 dollars for Year 1 and expects to make one award. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the expected total Year 1 amount, and an application requesting more than 500000 dollars for Year 1 will be deemed non-responsive. The planned period of performance consists of five 12-month budget periods over five years. Funding for years two through five will be established through continuation decisions based on available funds, satisfactory progress, and a determination that continued funding is in the federal government's best interest. CDC may use component funding and results-based funding tied to milestones and program indicators. There is no required cost sharing or matching. Funds must be used for reasonable program purposes consistent with the award and applicable law. Research is prohibited, and clinical care is prohibited except as allowed by law. Pre-award costs require prior written approval. Furniture and equipment generally may not be purchased unless clearly identified and justified. Applicants should allocate at least 10 percent of funds for monitoring and 5 percent for evaluation activities, subject to final discussion with CDC. Eligibility is unrestricted by organization type. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and foreign or non-U.S.-based entities. Regardless of organization type, the project must be conducted in Ghana. CDC also provides a local organization funding preference. Applicants that submit sufficient documentation establishing that the prime applicant meets the applicable global HIV and TB local organization definition receive 30 additional points during selection. Applications proposing research, exceeding the Year 1 funding limit, exceeding the 20-page project narrative limit, using a language other than English, using a currency other than U.S. dollars in the budget, or otherwise falling outside the NOFO scope will not advance. Applicants must have active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and a Unique Entity Identifier associated with the physical location receiving federal funds. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Required materials include a one-page project summary, a project narrative limited to 20 pages, a budget narrative, a table of contents, an experience statement, a financial capability statement, resumes and job descriptions, an organizational chart, a statement of prior award, and applicable attachments such as an indirect cost agreement, letters of commitment, report on overlap, and local organization preference documentation. Required federal forms include SF-424 and SF-424A, with SF-LLL required when applicable. The project narrative must address Background, Approach, Strategies and Activities, Outcomes, Organizational Capacity, Coordination, Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan, Data Management Plan, and Work Plan. Applicants must also prepare separate component budgets and budget narratives for the components they propose. Applications passing the initial responsiveness review undergo merit review for 100 points. Approach is worth 40 points, Organizational Capacity is worth 30 points, and Data, Monitoring, and Evaluation is worth 30 points. Reviewers assess government-led laboratory coordination, workforce capacity building, laboratory quality and reliability, organizational experience in Ghana, staff expertise, governance, financial management capacity, performance measures, evaluation questions, data systems, use of findings, and technology and innovation for data management. Budgets are reviewed but not scored. CDC may consider the 30-point local organization funding preference after merit review and may also consider alignment with applicable agency priorities. The program contact is DGHT NOFOs at DGHTNOFOS@cdc.gov. The Grants Management Officer is Randolph Williams at gur2@cdc.gov. Grants.gov technical support is available at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. Applications are due October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating submission is identified. CDC expects to notify applicants of their status by the end of August 2027 or as soon as possible, with an expected award and project start date in September 2027. The NOFO does not state that this competition recurs annually or on another regular cycle. After award, recipients must submit detailed evaluation and performance measurement and data management plans within six months, annual continuation reports, financial reports, performance measures, and final reports. CDC will maintain substantial involvement through technical assistance, monitoring, review of performance, and coordination with the recipient throughout the five-year period of performance.

Keep the Year 1 request at or below $500,000 and the Project Narrative at or below 20 pages because exceeding either limit makes the application non-responsive. Structure the narrative exactly as required and directly address the scored criteria: Approach 40 points, Organizational Capacity 30 points, and Data, Monitoring, and Evaluation 30 points. Demonstrate a proven track record with similar laboratory programs in Ghana, qualified staff, strong governance and financial controls, measurable outcomes, strong data management, and a clear system for using evaluation findings to adjust activities. Clearly link component budgets and activities to milestones. If eligible for the local organization funding preference, submit complete documentation because qualifying applications receive 30 additional points.