Strengthening the technical and organizational capacity of the Ministry of Health to deliver an efficient, resilient and self-reliant HIV/TB response and mitigate related public health threats in the Kingdom of Eswatini under PEPFAR

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced a forecasted opportunity titled "Strengthening the technical and organizational capacity of the Ministry of Health to deliver an efficient, resilient and self-reliant HIV/TB response and mitigate related public health threats in the Kingdom of Eswatini under PEPFAR." This initiative aims to support Eswatini’s Ministry of Health (MoH) in achieving sustainable control of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) by enhancing technical and organizational systems. The program aligns with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other global health commitments to end HIV as a public health threat. The funding opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the CDC will maintain substantial involvement with awardees throughout the project period. It is expected to strengthen the Ministry’s technical expertise, organizational leadership, and program management capacity to ensure an effective and self-reliant national response to HIV and TB. The overarching objective is to enable Eswatini to transition from donor-supported systems toward sustainable domestic health programs while maintaining high-quality service delivery and measurable outcomes. The program emphasizes technical capacity building through assistance in updating policies, strategic plans, and guidelines that address both HIV and TB epidemics. It will also support the integration of related public health interventions to improve resilience and responsiveness of the health system. Organizational strengthening will involve leadership development, governance reforms, resource mobilization, financial accountability, and workforce enhancement. The CDC may require the selected organizations to provide targeted service delivery to address identified implementation gaps or transitional support to sustain service quality during capacity transfer. The anticipated total funding for Fiscal Year 2026 is approximately $6,000,000, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. CDC anticipates awarding two cooperative agreements under this announcement. Although the forecast lists zero-dollar amounts for ceiling, floor, and total funding, this placeholder indicates that financial details are pending final budget confirmation. The estimated award date and project start date are both September 30, 2026, following the expected application due date of February 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as state, county, and city governments; special district governments; public and private higher education institutions; public housing authorities; Native American tribal governments and organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; and for-profit entities, including small businesses. The opportunity is classified as discretionary and open to multiple types of eligible organizations, provided they demonstrate relevant expertise in global health system strengthening and capacity development. No cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. Applications are expected to be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by the stated deadline. The forecast suggests that the formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be posted by December 2, 2025. The estimated timeline includes an application review period following submission, with successful applicants receiving awards before the end of fiscal year 2026. For inquiries or technical assistance, applicants may contact the CDC Global HIV and TB Division (DGHT) at pepfarfoas@cdc.gov. This email serves as the main communication channel for questions about eligibility, submission, and scope of work.

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