Reducing the burden of parasitic infections in the United States through evidence-based prevention and control activities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity focused on reducing the burden of parasitic infections in the United States through evidence-based prevention and control activities. Administered through the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria within the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, this program builds upon prior CDC efforts to strengthen domestic public health responses to parasitic diseases. The funding opportunity supports national priorities related to infectious disease prevention, surveillance, and strengthening public health infrastructure. The purpose of this program is to decrease the impact of parasitic infections such as Chagas disease, soil-transmitted helminths, and other parasitic diseases of domestic concern by improving detection, treatment, and prevention strategies. The program is structured into three components, and applicants may apply to only one: Component A focuses on increasing healthcare provider awareness and improving diagnosis and management of Chagas disease; Component B emphasizes surveillance and control of soil-transmitted helminths in historically affected regions, particularly in the Southeastern United States; and Component C targets broader parasitic diseases through education, surveillance, and prevention strategies. Applications proposing research activities or international work are not allowed. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism with substantial involvement from CDC. The total estimated program funding is 23,750,000 dollars, with approximately 11 awards anticipated. Individual awards range from 250,000 to 1,250,000 dollars annually, depending on the selected component, and projects are expected to run over a five-year period with annual budget cycles. Funds must be used for programmatic public health activities such as surveillance, education, prevention, and capacity building, and may not be used for research, lobbying, or other restricted costs. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, school districts, public housing authorities, and for-profit organizations. Bona fide agents may apply on behalf of eligible government entities with proper documentation. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, including experience with public health program implementation, data collection, evaluation, and collaboration with partners such as healthcare providers and public health agencies. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. An optional letter of intent is requested by July 3, 2026 to assist with review planning but is not required for eligibility. Applicants must complete required components including a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting attachments such as organizational charts and letters of support. Evaluation criteria include background and approach, strategies and activities, outcomes, evaluation plan, and organizational capacity. The review process involves an initial responsiveness screening followed by a merit review panel evaluation. Final funding decisions consider merit, programmatic balance, geographic distribution, and alignment with CDC priorities. Awards are expected to be announced around September 29, 2026, with a projected project start date of September 30, 2026. Throughout the project period, recipients must meet reporting requirements, including annual performance and financial reports, and collaborate closely with CDC through technical assistance and oversight activities. This funding opportunity represents a strategic effort to strengthen national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to parasitic diseases, with an emphasis on evidence-based interventions, public health collaboration, and measurable improvements in health outcomes across at-risk populations in the United States.

Ensure alignment with CDC priorities and logic model; demonstrate strong evaluation and surveillance capacity; clearly define partnerships and measurable outcomes