Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare (MInD Healthcare) to Improve Pathogen Prevention and Healthcare Delivery

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases and the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare (MInD Healthcare) to Improve Pathogen Prevention and Healthcare Delivery." The opportunity number is CDC-RFA-CK-25-0018. This initiative aims to advance the use of mathematical and computational modeling to better understand and mitigate the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs) in the United States. The MInD Healthcare Network will support the development of these models while simultaneously strengthening the national workforce through training and collaboration with public health partners. This NOFO will fund cooperative agreements to support recipients in developing applied transmission models focusing on at least three thematic areas and two specific pathogens of interest. Models are expected to simulate the spread of infectious diseases, assess intervention strategies, and inform public health policies and practices in healthcare environments. Thematic areas include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial resistance, economic modeling, outbreak response, simulations of epidemiologic studies, and surveillance. Eligible pathogens include C. difficile, MRSA, Candida auris, resistant Acinetobacter species, and SARS-CoV-2. Projects are expected to yield actionable insights and inform improvements in infection prevention and control. Funding available under this NOFO ranges between $16.5 million and $19.5 million over a five-year performance period. Individual award amounts will range from $550,000 to $650,000 per year, with an anticipated 4 to 6 awards. Activities funded must complement, but not duplicate, work supported through other sources. The cooperative agreement will span five 12-month budget periods, beginning on September 1, 2025. A strong emphasis is placed on institutional capacity, data access, collaboration with public health partners, and dissemination of modeling tools through open-access platforms consistent with federal source code policies. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education), and both public and private institutions of higher education. Applications that exceed the funding ceiling will be deemed non-responsive. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. However, if applicants voluntarily include matching funds, those will become a reporting requirement. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to design and execute advanced modeling activities, collaborate across sectors, and train the next generation of modelers. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and require active registration with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov. The submission deadline is April 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. An optional letter of intent is due by February 28, 2025. Applicants should include all required documents such as project narratives, budget justifications, resumes, organizational charts, and letters of support. The application narrative must follow CDC’s specified format and headings, with a strict page limit of 15. All supporting materials must be uploaded through the appropriate forms in Grants.gov. Evaluation of applications will occur in multiple phases. During initial review, applications will be screened for eligibility, completeness, and responsiveness. A merit review panel will then assess submissions based on background and approach (40 points), organizational capacity (40 points), and evaluation and performance measurement (20 points). CDC may also consider program priorities such as thematic diversity, regional representation, and populations at elevated risk for HAIs. Awards are expected to be announced by August 16, 2025. For questions, applicants may contact Nga Vuong at ypg2@cdc.gov or 970-494-6682 for program-related inquiries and Kathy Raible at kcr8@cdc.gov or 470-316-8061 for grants management.