Continuing to Enhance Global Health Security: Sustain Efforts and Strategies to Protect and Improve Public Health Globally

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is forecasting the "Continuing to Enhance Global Health Security: Sustain Efforts and Strategies to Protect and Improve Public Health Globally" funding opportunity under Cooperative Agreement CDC-RFA-JG-26-0056. This grant reflects the U.S. government's commitment to strengthening global health systems, a priority that intensified following the COVID-19 pandemic and other international public health crises. The initiative aims to sustain and expand on a decade of strategic investments and partnerships that bolster global capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. The program seeks to reinforce partnerships with Ministries of Health and other governmental bodies worldwide. Its primary objectives are threefold: first, to prevent avoidable epidemics, including those arising from both natural and manmade pathogen releases; second, to improve early detection capabilities, including identifying and characterizing biological threats; and third, to strengthen rapid and effective response systems for public health emergencies with international implications. The CDC emphasizes evidence-based strategies and lessons learned over the past decade to ensure the resilience of global health infrastructures. Eligible applicants for this program span a broad spectrum of U.S.-based entities, including governmental units (state, county, and city/township), public housing authorities, special district governments, public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, for-profit entities other than small businesses, independent school districts, and nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status), as well as Native American tribal governments and organizations. The open eligibility reflects the program’s broad engagement approach in tackling health security threats across diverse sectors and geographic scopes. The forecasted timeline indicates that the funding opportunity will be posted by January 19, 2026, with an application due date of March 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Awards are anticipated to be announced by August 31, 2026, with the project period commencing on September 30, 2026. The program anticipates approximately eight awards, drawing from a total estimated funding pool of $75 million. Although no minimum or maximum award amounts are specified in the forecast, the ceiling and floor have not yet been declared and should be flagged for verification. Applications must be submitted electronically by the listed due date and time. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Evaluation criteria and specific application components have not been published in this forecast, nor has a pre-application phase been mentioned. However, further information may be provided when the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is officially released. Prospective applicants with questions are directed to contact Broderick Yoerg via email at DGHPNOFOs@cdc.gov or by phone at 404-234-0666.