Strengthening Global Health Security by improving public health capacity to detect, notify, and respond to disease outbreaks globally | CDC RFA JG 26 0056

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title of this CDC funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Strengthening Global Health Security by improving public health capacity to detect, notify, and respond to disease outbreaks globally."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (NOFO number)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is CDC RFA JG 26 0056.

3) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.318.

4) Which CDC office is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through its Global Health Center (GHC).

5) What type of funding mechanism is being used?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement.

6) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates CDC expects substantial involvement beyond standard grant oversight. Based on the opportunity description, applicants should anticipate close technical collaboration, shared planning, and alignment with CDC global health security strategies and performance expectations.

7) What is the overall purpose of this award?

The purpose is to expand and deepen ongoing U.S. Government efforts to strengthen global health security systems by supporting programs that help countries prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.

8) What is the main public health problem this opportunity is trying to address?

The opportunity aims to strengthen public health capacity in ways that reduce the likelihood that outbreaks grow into epidemics or international crises, by improving prevention, early detection, timely reporting, and rapid response.

9) What major lessons or context does the NOFO emphasize?

The NOFO is framed as building on CDC-supported global health security work and incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other major public health events.

10) What are the three headline outcomes identified in the NOFO?

The NOFO identifies three headline outcomes guiding the work: (1) improved prevention of avoidable epidemics, (2) improved ability to rapidly detect threats early (including detecting, characterizing, and reporting emerging biological threats in a timely manner), and (3) improved capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to public health threats of international concern.

11) What does the NOFO mean by improving prevention of avoidable epidemics?

The prevention outcome includes reducing the risk of naturally occurring outbreaks as well as events stemming from intentional or accidental releases of dangerous pathogens.

12) What does "detect" include in the context of this opportunity?

Detection includes detecting, characterizing, and reporting emerging biological threats in a timely manner, with an emphasis on early warning and rapid identification.

13) What does "respond" include in the context of this opportunity?

Response focuses on the capacity to move from detection to action quickly and in a coordinated way that limits spread and impact, especially for public health threats of international concern.

14) Is the work focused on practical implementation or primarily planning/research?

The description emphasizes practical implementation through partnerships with Ministries of Health and other government institutions.

15) What kinds of partnerships does this opportunity encourage?

It highlights partnerships with Ministries of Health and other government institutions, reflecting a collaboration-oriented approach to strengthening national and subnational systems.

16) How does this opportunity relate to existing CDC global health security efforts?

It is explicitly framed as building on CDC-supported global health security work and continuing a longer-term trajectory of U.S. Government investment in prevention, detection, and response capacities.

17) Does the NOFO suggest a short-term project or longer-term system strengthening?

The opportunity is positioned as part of a longer-term trajectory after roughly a decade of investment, suggesting a focus on durable systems, institutional capability, and readiness for known and emerging threats.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based entities across government, academia, nonprofit, and private sectors. The listing indicates the opportunity is effectively unrestricted in terms of applicant type.

19) What types of government entities are eligible?

Eligible government entities include state, county, city or township, and special district governments.

20) Are independent school districts eligible?

Yes, independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

21) Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

22) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible.

23) Are public housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible.

24) Are nonprofits eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible.

25) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible.

26) Are small businesses eligible?

Yes, small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.

27) Does the NOFO appear to restrict eligibility to a narrow set of applicant types?

No. The eligibility list is broad, and the summary indicates the opportunity is effectively unrestricted in terms of applicant type.

28) Why does the opportunity list such broad eligibility?

Based on the description provided, broad eligibility aligns with the partnership-heavy nature of global health security work, which often requires specialized technical expertise, field presence, training capabilities, laboratory and surveillance experience, and strong relationships with government counterparts.

29) What is the application closing date?

The original closing date is listed as 2026-08-14.

30) How many awards does CDC expect to make?

The opportunity notes an expectation of 8 awards.

31) Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling) stated in the summary?

The posted award ceiling is listed as 0, which generally signals that a specific maximum was not provided in the summary field.

32) If the award ceiling is listed as 0, how should applicants interpret that?

It generally indicates the maximum award amount is not specified in the summary field and that applicants should rely on the full NOFO for budget guidance, anticipated award sizes, project periods, and any limitations.

33) Does the opportunity specify particular countries or regions?

No country or region limitations are included in the provided summary information.

34) What kinds of threats does the NOFO consider within scope?

The description includes naturally occurring outbreaks, as well as threats arising from intentional or accidental releases of dangerous pathogens.

35) What is meant by "public health threats of international concern" in this context?

In the provided description, it refers to threats where the funded work should help countries respond rapidly and effectively, moving quickly from detection to coordinated action to limit spread and impact beyond borders.