Strengthening public health efforts and partnerships to protect and improve health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has forecasted a funding opportunity titled “Strengthening public health efforts and partnerships to protect and improve health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).” This program is released under the Assistance Listing 93.318, which supports protecting and improving health globally by building and strengthening public health impact, systems, capacity, and security. The forecast was published on August 22, 2025, and seeks to continue the CDC’s longstanding work in global health security through cooperative agreements with multiple partners. The estimated total program funding available is $15,500,000, with approximately four awards expected. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen public health systems and partnerships in the DRC with a focus on epidemic prevention, early threat detection, and rapid response capabilities. Key outcomes include improved prevention of avoidable epidemics such as naturally occurring outbreaks or accidental and intentional releases of dangerous pathogens. Another primary goal is enhancing the capacity to detect emerging public health threats early, characterize them accurately, and report findings promptly. Finally, the program emphasizes building the capacity for rapid and effective response to infectious diseases and other international health threats. Funding will be distributed through cooperative agreements, which means that the CDC will be substantially involved in program activities, oversight, and implementation. While the specific spending rules and allowable uses of funds are not detailed in the forecast, cooperative agreements typically support activities such as technical assistance, system strengthening, training, and partnership building with national ministries of health and related institutions. The expected project start date is September 30, 2026, with awards anticipated by August 31, 2026. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state, county, and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, public and private higher education institutions, independent school districts, special district governments, housing authorities, and both for-profit and small business entities. The eligibility section confirms that applications are not limited to specific types of organizations and that the opportunity is open to a wide variety of institutions. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements for this program. The estimated application due date is January 2, 2026, with applications required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The posting date for the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected on November 3, 2025. The forecast does not identify any pre-application deadlines such as a letter of intent or concept paper, nor does it provide information about evaluation criteria or required application components. Applicants should anticipate that final details on submission requirements and evaluation methodology will be published in the full NOFO. For inquiries, applicants may contact Broderick Yoerg at 404-234-0666 or by email at DGHPNOFOs@cdc.gov. This funding opportunity is currently in the forecast stage, which means applicants should monitor Grants.gov for updates, including the posting of the final application package and guidance on submission. With its focus on global health security and epidemic preparedness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this program presents a significant opportunity for organizations with relevant expertise in public health system strengthening and international health collaboration.