National Viral Hepatitis Education, Awareness, and Capacity Building for Communities and Providers

The National Viral Hepatitis Education, Awareness, and Capacity Building for Communities and Providers funding opportunity is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program aligns with national public health priorities to reduce the burden of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections across the United States. The initiative reflects the CDC’s broader viral hepatitis strategic goals and responds to epidemiological trends indicating that certain populations remain disproportionately affected by these infections. By supporting coordinated education, outreach, and training efforts, the program aims to strengthen both community-level engagement and clinical provider capacity. The primary purpose of this cooperative agreement is to increase awareness of viral hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment options while also enhancing the competence of healthcare professionals in diagnosing and managing hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The program is structured into two distinct components: Part A focuses on community education, awareness, and capacity building, while Part B centers on professional education and training. Applicants may apply to one or both components, but must submit separate applications for each. This structure allows organizations to specialize in community-based interventions, provider-focused training, or both, depending on their expertise and organizational capacity. Funding under Part A is intended to support the development and expansion of coalitions that serve populations disproportionately affected by hepatitis. Activities include leading and maintaining partnerships among public and private organizations, providing technical assistance and training to coalition members, and building capacity for outreach, testing, and linkage to care. These efforts are expected to increase the reach and effectiveness of hepatitis education and services, ultimately improving access to testing and treatment. The program emphasizes measurable short-term outcomes such as increased coalition capacity, expanded outreach efforts, and higher testing rates among target populations. Part B focuses on strengthening the healthcare workforce by providing accessible, high-quality educational resources for professionals. Funded activities include the development and dissemination of web-based, on-demand training materials related to hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as offering continuing education credits. In addition, recipients are expected to actively market and promote these resources to ensure widespread utilization among healthcare providers. This component is designed to improve clinical knowledge and practice, contributing to better patient outcomes and reduced disease transmission. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, making it accessible to a broad range of eligible entities. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal governments and organizations, and certain for-profit entities. The funding opportunity is national in scope, with no geographic restrictions specified, indicating that organizations across the United States may apply. The total estimated program funding is substantial, supporting multiple awards to achieve the program’s objectives at scale. Applications must be submitted electronically through the appropriate federal grants platform by the specified deadline. The estimated application due date is June 1, 2027, with submissions required by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Following the application period, awards are expected to be announced by late August 2027, with project activities anticipated to begin at the end of September 2027. The cooperative agreement mechanism indicates that the CDC will maintain substantial involvement with awardees throughout the project period, providing guidance and oversight. Evaluation of applications will likely consider the applicant’s capacity to implement the proposed strategies, the strength of partnerships or coalitions, the quality and accessibility of educational materials, and the ability to reach and impact priority populations. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate experience in public health programming, community engagement, and healthcare training. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact the CDC representative listed for the program, who can provide guidance during the pre-application phase.