Targeted strengthening of Botswana's national data, performance management and health security systems for a sustainable and government-led HIV/TB and related public health threat response under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has released a forecasted funding opportunity titled "Targeted strengthening of Botswana's national data, performance management and health security systems for a sustainable and government-led HIV/TB and related public health threat response under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)." This opportunity is identified under number CDC-RFA-JG-26-0126 and falls within the discretionary grant category. The cooperative agreement mechanism will be used, and the program is listed under Assistance Listing 93.067, which covers Global AIDS. The purpose of this opportunity is to provide targeted technical assistance to the Government of Botswana to reinforce health security capacities and national data systems. The awardees will support governance and policy improvements, enhance data management and system interoperability, and improve the sustainable use of information to strengthen public health responses. This includes ensuring the availability of comprehensive, high-quality HIV-related strategic information and health security programs that function effectively at the site, district, and national levels. Specific activities will include supporting the operations and maintenance of both paper-based and electronic record systems, enhancing program monitoring, oversight, and compliance capabilities, and ensuring data integrity for PEPFAR-funded HIV and tuberculosis interventions. Another central objective is to build capacity within the country’s IT and data workforce to secure and manage systems effectively, while also reinforcing preparedness for broader public health threats and disease outbreaks. The program anticipates distributing approximately $4,000,000 in total Fiscal Year 2026 funds, although the initial year’s award ceiling is set at zero as currently forecasted. CDC has noted that this funding is subject to availability. While the estimated total program funding and award limits are listed as zero in the forecast notice, clarification provided indicates that approximately $4 million is expected for Year 1. The award may go to one or multiple recipients, with two total awards projected. Eligibility is broad, encompassing a wide range of institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit entities both with and without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education (public and private), public housing authorities, independent school districts, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations. Applications will be open to a wide pool of stakeholders capable of providing the necessary technical expertise and program management capacity. The eligibility conditions are unrestricted, provided that applicants meet the general qualifications listed. The anticipated timeline begins with an estimated posting date of December 2, 2025, and an application due date of February 17, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. Awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2026, with funded projects beginning on the same date. The forecast also sets an archive date of March 19, 2026, which indicates when the opportunity information will no longer be available on the grants portal. No pre-application deadlines such as letters of intent are mentioned in the forecast notice. The grantor contact for this opportunity is DGHT NOFOs at CDC, and applicants with questions are directed to email pepfarfoas@cdc.gov. No phone contact is provided in the forecast listing. As this is currently a forecasted opportunity, further application requirements, detailed evaluation criteria, and specific documentation guidance will be made available in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity once it is officially posted in December 2025.