Strengthening Botswana's national health data systems for a sustainable and government-led HIV/TB and related public health threat response through enhanced surveillance, digital health, and data analytics under PEPFAR

The funding opportunity titled Strengthening Botswana's National Health Data Systems for a Sustainable and Government-Led HIV/TB and Related Public Health Threat Response through Enhanced Surveillance, Digital Health, and Data Analytics under PEPFAR aims to improve Botswana’s health data systems and strengthen the government-led response to HIV, TB, and other public health challenges. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will support this program over a five-year performance period through a cooperative agreement with an expected total funding of four million dollars for the first year. The program is designed to enhance monitoring and evaluation systems, strengthen health informatics infrastructure, improve surveillance, and ensure sustainable and interoperable data systems. The program’s primary objectives are to build data governance policies, strengthen capacity for data management, and enhance system functionality, interoperability, and data use across Botswana’s health sector. Specific activities include improving electronic medical record systems, implementing health information exchange platforms, integrating advanced analytics and digital health tools, and training government staff on data use and surveillance. The initiative will also improve case-based and population-level surveillance systems to detect and respond to public health threats, while supporting the Ministry of Health in aligning data systems with global HIV and TB reporting requirements. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as domestic and international nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, small businesses, and academic institutions. All activities must be conducted in Botswana and align with the country’s national health priorities. The program encourages collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Health, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation and avoid duplication of efforts. Applications must include a project narrative, detailed work plan, monitoring and evaluation plan, budget narrative, and supporting documents such as resumes of key personnel, organizational charts, financial capability statements, and letters of commitment from partners. Proposals must demonstrate innovative, evidence-based approaches to improving health data systems, enhancing workforce capacity, and strengthening surveillance and evaluation efforts. The application must also address how proposed activities will promote sustainability and government ownership of health systems. Applications are due by February 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time and must be submitted via Grants.gov. Proposals will be evaluated based on their approach, organizational capacity, and monitoring and evaluation plans. An additional 30 points will be awarded to applicants meeting the PEPFAR local partner funding preference criteria, which prioritize organizations with majority local ownership, staffing, and governance. Final award decisions will consider merit review results, funding preferences, and alignment with program priorities. Award recipients will be required to submit regular progress and financial reports, adhere to CDC monitoring and evaluation requirements, and ensure compliance with PEPFAR reporting guidelines. Post-award activities include site visits, data quality assessments, and ongoing technical oversight to ensure successful implementation and measurable program outcomes. The program seeks to sustain Botswana’s HIV and TB response, reduce public health disparities, and ensure reliable, data-driven decision-making for long-term health system improvements.