Empowering Laboratory systems Towards Sustainability (ELTOS): Best practices and innovations in Lesotho under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Empowering Laboratory Systems Towards Sustainability (ELTOS) program, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative. This grant opportunity supports the Government of Lesotho’s health system strengthening efforts, with a specific focus on developing and maintaining sustainable laboratory systems that are integral to achieving HIV epidemic control. The program emphasizes the expansion and improvement of laboratory quality management systems to ensure reliable, accurate, and timely HIV diagnostic services across Lesotho. The initiative aims to strengthen laboratory operations by implementing strategic plans and accreditation standards that align with international benchmarks. Activities under this cooperative agreement will include enhancing laboratory infrastructure, developing an effective laboratory information management system (LIMS), and supporting the life-cycle management of medical equipment. The program seeks to establish a robust informatics infrastructure that improves data accuracy, streamlines workflows, and facilitates effective monitoring of equipment utilization and maintenance. Through this award, CDC intends to promote innovations in laboratory management by enforcing key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide measurable insights into equipment functionality, efficiency, and downtime. Implementing these KPIs will allow laboratories to track maintenance responsiveness, improve operational continuity, and minimize diagnostic delays. In addition, this effort is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity of laboratory personnel through technical assistance and targeted training initiatives that cultivate a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Funding is anticipated at approximately $2,000,000 for the first year, contingent on the availability of funds. This opportunity will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, which implies active CDC involvement in project implementation and technical oversight. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Only one award is expected to be issued for Fiscal Year 2026, with the estimated award date of September 30, 2026, and the project start date coinciding with that timeline. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as state and local governments, higher education institutions, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), small and for-profit organizations, and tribal entities. Applications are to be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than February 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The estimated post date is December 2, 2025. For further information, applicants may contact the CDC Division of Global HIV & TB (DGHT) at pepfarfoas@cdc.gov.