Enhancing Global Health Security: Strengthening public health surveillance systems for disease detection and preparedness globally

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through its Global Health Center has released a forecasted funding opportunity titled Enhancing Global Health Security: Strengthening public health surveillance systems for disease detection and preparedness globally. This opportunity is issued under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and aligns with the Assistance Listing 93.318, which focuses on protecting and improving health globally by building and strengthening public health impact, systems, capacity, and security. The grant opportunity is expected to advance the agency’s mission to protect populations worldwide by supporting surveillance, detection, and response to public health threats. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to strengthen global health security by enhancing the capacities of national and regional systems to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious diseases and other emerging health threats. Activities supported under this program include strengthening surveillance systems, building workforce capacity in public health surveillance, integrating laboratory and surveillance systems, reinforcing emergency surveillance preparedness, advancing the use of electronic surveillance platforms, and improving the translation of surveillance data into actionable public health measures. The awardee will work in partnership with ministries of health, CDC country offices, and other stakeholders to assess and close gaps in surveillance system performance. The scope of the program includes developing and adapting surveillance protocols, creating training materials, building guidance documents, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to advance One Health approaches. Additionally, the program emphasizes the adoption of innovative tools and technologies and the promotion of evidence-based decision-making. By reinforcing both infrastructure and workforce, this funding opportunity seeks to mitigate public health events of international concern, strengthen border health security, and promote rapid and coordinated responses to global health emergencies. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes a wide range of applicant types. Eligible entities include Native American tribal governments and organizations, state governments, county and municipal governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private higher education institutions, public housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than higher education institutions), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and those other than small businesses). The eligibility list also includes a designation of “unrestricted,” meaning any eligible type listed may apply unless otherwise clarified. Individuals are not included in the list of eligible applicants. The funding instrument type for this program is a cooperative agreement, with the Centers for Disease Control maintaining substantial involvement in project implementation. The estimated total funding available for this program is $15,000,000, with an expected number of two awards. Award ceiling and floor amounts are not specified, meaning applicants will need to seek clarification during the official Notice of Funding Opportunity publication. Cost sharing and matching are not required under this forecast. Applicants should plan to use funds strictly for purposes aligned with the enhancement of public health surveillance systems and workforce development as outlined in the funding description. The forecasted posting date for this opportunity is February 16, 2026, with an application due date of April 16, 2026. Applications must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date. Awards are expected to be announced on August 31, 2026, with funded projects beginning on September 30, 2026. The archive date for this opportunity is May 16, 2026. As this is a forecasted opportunity, applicants should monitor for updates and the release of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact the designated program officer. The identified point of contact is Broderick Yoerg, reachable by phone at 404-234-0666 or by email at DGHPNOFOs@cdc.gov. Communication with the program officer will provide further clarification regarding program requirements, allowable activities, and application instructions once the official notice is published.