Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC)

The Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC), under the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), represents a major cooperative agreement aimed at fortifying state, local, and territorial public health infrastructures. Originally initiated in 1995, the ELC program was designed as a core element of CDC's strategic response to emerging infectious diseases. It has since evolved into a nationwide funding platform that supports a vast array of cross-cutting and disease-specific surveillance, detection, laboratory, informatics, and prevention efforts. This funding opportunity (CDC-RFA-CK-24-0002) for Fiscal Year 2024 provides continuation and expansion support for this critical public health infrastructure initiative. The primary purpose of this grant is to enhance jurisdictional capacity to detect, respond to, prevent, and control both known and newly emerging infectious diseases. The program supports epidemiologic workforce development, laboratory improvements, modernization of health information systems, and integration of systems across disciplines. Applicants must align with a logic model that defines measurable short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes, including timely and effective outbreak response, improved use of public health data, strengthened laboratory testing, increased interoperability in health data systems, and reduced health disparities. Funding totals approximately $1.15 billion over a 5-year period, with an average annual allocation of $240 million across approximately 65 awards. Award ceilings and floors are not specified, but the average estimated award per budget period is roughly $3.5 million. Funds are distributed across multiple program areas and projects, including cross-cutting epidemiology and laboratory activities, health information systems, advanced molecular detection, and disease-specific programs such as vector-borne diseases, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, and HIV cluster response. The agreement does not require matching funds, and Direct Assistance (DA) is permitted under the terms of the NOFO. Eligible applicants include state health departments, certain large local health agencies serving city populations of 1.5 million or more, and U.S. territories and affiliates. All applicants must demonstrate legal and programmatic authority, technical and fiscal capacity, and be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, and organizations must include a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), complete the CDC Risk Questionnaire, and include a work plan, detailed budget, performance measurement plan, and narrative description aligned with the ELC program’s framework. Applications are due no later than April 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. An informational webinar was held on February 20, 2024, and applicants are encouraged to subscribe to Grants.gov updates for future amendments to the NOFO. Awards are expected to be announced by August 1, 2024. The application must include detailed descriptions of governance structure, capacity-building efforts, local engagement strategies, and evaluation plans. CDC’s evaluation strategy emphasizes continuous quality improvement and health equity outcomes. Applicants must clearly describe their jurisdiction’s current public health infrastructure, provide justification for proposed activities, and delineate strategies for monitoring and reporting progress throughout the grant period.

Ensure alignment with ELC logic model, use CDC templates, and formalize Governance Team; health equity emphasis is strongly recommended.