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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is forecasted to release a funding opportunity titled "Enhancing Global Health Security: Strengthening public health surveillance systems for disease detection and preparedness globally." This initiative aligns with the CDC's overarching mission to enhance global health security by improving countries’ capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. The program supports collaborative efforts with Ministries of Health, CDC country offices, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen disease surveillance systems and ensure public health readiness at both national and international levels. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to improve the global capacity for disease surveillance and preparedness. The initiative focuses on six core areas: enhancing public health surveillance systems; building surveillance workforce capacity; integrating disease surveillance with laboratory systems; reinforcing emergency surveillance preparedness; expanding electronic surveillance platforms; and increasing the use of surveillance data for timely public health action. These objectives are essential to ensuring that global health partners are capable of early detection and response to infectious diseases and other health emergencies. The program will support partnerships aimed at developing and implementing strategic plans, policies, and surveillance capabilities at regional and national levels. Award recipients will help assess existing surveillance infrastructures, identify system gaps, and create solutions that enhance the performance of these systems. Activities will include designing and deploying protocols, training modules, and data use guidance, in addition to supporting the use of innovative technologies and cross-sectoral collaboration, especially in areas related to One Health and the prevention of zoonotic and other emerging threats. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is inclusive, allowing a wide range of organizations to apply, including public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, small businesses, nonprofits with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit entities other than small businesses. This broad eligibility reflects the CDC's commitment to fostering global partnerships and building diverse coalitions capable of improving global health systems. The cooperative agreement is expected to fund two awards with an estimated total program funding of $15,000,000. While no minimum or maximum funding levels are specified for individual awards, applicants are expected to propose budgets appropriate for the scope of work. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement indicated, making the program more accessible to a broad range of applicants. Successful applicants will be selected based on their capacity to contribute effectively to the outlined goals and their ability to work collaboratively with CDC country offices and health ministries. The timeline for this opportunity begins with an estimated posting date of January 19, 2026. Applications will be due by March 20, 2026, and must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline day. Award announcements are expected by August 31, 2026, with project implementation to begin on September 30, 2026. Given the nature of the program, it is expected to recur annually, with ongoing opportunities for engagement in future cycles. For more information, interested applicants may contact Broderick Yoerg at 404-234-0666 or via email at [email protected]. This opportunity represents a significant investment in global health security and provides a pathway for institutions to contribute to international efforts in pandemic preparedness and disease prevention through enhanced surveillance capabilities.