The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has forecasted a cooperative agreement to strengthen Ghana Health Service laboratory systems under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This initiative aligns with the United States government’s ongoing commitment to advancing global HIV epidemic control by enhancing laboratory capacities, systems integration, and sustainable transition to local governance by 2030. Through financial and technical collaboration with the Ghana Ministry of Health, the program seeks to improve diagnostic accuracy and accessibility across the national health infrastructure.
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to provide targeted support for Ghana’s national HIV laboratory systems, specifically to enhance testing, treatment monitoring, viral suppression tracking, and retention in care. The program focuses on quality management systems, accreditation mentorship, workforce capacity building, and the integration of next-generation sequencing for HIV drug resistance. It further promotes improved laboratory data management through systems such as e-Tracker and lab dashboards to ensure data reliability and timely reporting.
Funding will support the establishment of efficient laboratory operations capable of high-quality viral load (VL) and early infant diagnosis (EID) testing. This includes the development of sample transport and tracking systems, multiplex assay interfaces, and external quality assurance (EQA) measures. The project will also strengthen the coordination capacity within Ghana Health Service to manage resources and implement best practices aligned with PEPFAR objectives.
Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, encompassing U.S. and non-U.S. organizations including state, local, tribal, nonprofit, and for-profit entities, as well as institutions of higher education. Although the notice lists zero-dollar ceiling and floor values, CDC anticipates approximately $500,000 in total funding for Year 1, contingent upon fund availability. No cost-sharing or matching funds are required. Only one award is expected.
Applications are forecasted to open December 2, 2025, with a submission deadline of February 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The anticipated award and project start date is September 30, 2026. Interested applicants should monitor Grants.gov for updates and prepare submissions according to CDC’s standard cooperative agreement requirements. Inquiries regarding this NOFO can be directed to DGHT NOFOs at pepfarfoas@cdc.gov. This funding represents a key step in sustaining progress toward epidemic control and laboratory system strengthening across Ghana’s public health infrastructure.
Monitor Grants.gov for NOFO publication; early coordination with Ghana MoH/CDC partners recommended.
