Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreement

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreement, offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to strengthen the capacity of state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health systems to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of public health threats and emergencies. Administered through the Office of Readiness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, this funding opportunity builds on a history of national investment in health security and emergency readiness. It is supported under Assistance Listing 93.069 and aligns with national standards and frameworks including the CDC’s Response Readiness Framework (RRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The program outlines a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to support jurisdictions in advancing readiness through the planning, training, and execution of public health emergency operations. Over a five-year performance period, recipients are expected to improve their capacity across several priority areas including all-hazards planning, laboratory readiness, data modernization, crisis communication, and workforce resilience. Required activities are structured under three strategic categories: risk-based all-hazards planning, enhanced community readiness through partnerships and communications, and administrative and workforce preparedness. Each strategy involves numerous performance benchmarks such as conducting exercises, updating risk assessments, and building capabilities in laboratory testing and response coordination. Eligibility is exclusive to 62 jurisdictions currently funded under CDC-RFA-TP19-1901, including all U.S. states, eight U.S. territories and freely associated states, and select high-risk local jurisdictions (Chicago, Los Angeles County, New York City, and Washington, D.C.). Applicants must maintain or exceed their own prior year investments in public health security and are required to contribute a 10% cost match for federal funds received. Match exceptions apply to specified jurisdictions. The award will be administered through a statutory formula, with annual obligations contingent upon available federal funding. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by April 24, 2024, no later than 11:59 p.m. ET. Informational webinars were held on February 29, 2024. Required documents include detailed risk assessments, multiyear integrated preparedness plans (MYIPP), exercise plans, and improvement reports. Key evaluation criteria include demonstrated readiness benchmarks, integration of equity, and compliance with performance measurement standards. Failure to meet core benchmarks or submit a pandemic influenza plan can result in financial penalties. The anticipated award date is July 1, 2024, with the same date marking the beginning of the performance period. The funding is expected to be renewed annually, with next cycles following the current cadence. Questions regarding the opportunity may be directed to James Diggs at vqh3@cdc.gov. The full FOA outlines reporting obligations, funding restrictions, and post-award expectations such as maintaining advisory committees, coordinating with health care coalitions, and annual audits.

Submit required plans and benchmarks on time to avoid penalties; prioritize equity and timely fund disbursement to local partners.