Strengthening global health security in India to contain public health threats and accelerate outbreak response | CDC RFA JG 26 0051

FAQs: Strengthening global health security in India to contain public health threats and accelerate outbreak response (CDC RFA JG 26 0051)

1) What is the official title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Strengthening global health security in India to contain public health threats and accelerate outbreak response."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is CDC RFA JG 26 0051.

3) Which agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically the CDC-GHC component.

4) What is the assistance listing / CFDA number associated with this award?

The opportunity is under CFDA 93.318.

5) What type of funding mechanism is being used?

This is a discretionary CDC program funded through a cooperative agreement mechanism.

6) What does a cooperative agreement imply for how the project will be carried out?

The cooperative agreement structure signals substantial CDC involvement through technical collaboration, ongoing coordination, and shared planning during implementation to ensure the work advances GHSA priorities and supports sustainable public health security capacity.

7) What is the central purpose of this opportunity?

The central purpose is to strengthen district, state, and national public health systems in India so they can better prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, consistent with Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) priorities.

8) What is the overall intent of the program in practical terms?

The intent is capacity-focused and systems-oriented: improve India’s ability to stop outbreaks where they start, reduce spread of public health threats, and speed up outbreak detection and response so health emergencies are contained more effectively.

9) What geographic focus does this opportunity target?

The described focus is India, with an emphasis on strengthening public health systems at district, state, and national levels.

10) How does the opportunity relate to GHSA?

The program is designed to augment existing CDC-supported GHSA efforts and align activities with GHSA priorities to strengthen global health security capacity in India.

11) How does the opportunity relate to the International Health Regulations (IHR)?

The work is framed to align with IHR expectations for developing core capacities to detect, assess, report, and respond to public health events.

12) What is meant by a One Health approach in this NOFO?

One Health recognizes that human health, animal health, and environmental factors are connected, particularly for emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases. This opportunity organizes technical work with that integrated perspective in mind.

13) What are the five priority capacity areas identified in the opportunity?

The opportunity identifies five priority capacity areas: (1) public health workforce development, (2) disease surveillance, (3) laboratory systems, (4) emergency preparedness and response, and (5) antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

14) What kinds of activities are included under public health workforce development?

The opportunity highlights workforce development such as training and sustaining epidemiologists and other response personnel.

15) What kinds of activities are included under disease surveillance?

The surveillance focus includes strengthening systems for early detection, reporting, and analysis of health threats.

16) What kinds of activities are included under laboratory systems?

Laboratory systems work is focused on improving diagnostic capability, quality systems, and reliable testing networks.

17) What kinds of activities are included under emergency preparedness and response?

Emergency preparedness and response activities are aimed at improving readiness planning, coordination, and rapid response operations.

18) What does the NOFO say about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) work?

AMR work includes strengthening detection, monitoring, and response to resistant infections and promoting better stewardship and containment strategies.

19) Is coordination with the Government of India (GoI) a core expectation?

Yes. A major feature is close coordination with GoI and an intentional shift of more leadership and implementation responsibility to Indian institutions over time.

20) What does "transitioning leadership to Indian institutions" mean in practice?

The program is designed not only for short-term technical assistance, but for building durable, locally owned systems and capabilities that remain strong after external support decreases, with increasing transition of CDC-supported GHSA initiatives to GoI entities.

21) Which GoI or Indian institutions are specifically named as key entities for transition and partnership?

The opportunity names the National Centre for Disease Control, the National Health Mission, the Indian Council of Medical Research, the National Disaster Management Authority, the National Institute of Disaster Management, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

22) Is this opportunity intended to replace existing GHSA work or build on it?

The opportunity is described as augmenting existing CDC-supported GHSA efforts and progressively transitioning those initiatives to key GoI entities.

23) How many awards does the opportunity anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates making two awards.

24) What is the application closing date listed for this opportunity?

The closing date listed is 2026-10-02.

25) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other than small businesses), tribal governments and tribal organizations, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.

26) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations are explicitly listed as eligible, including small businesses and other than small businesses.

27) Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?

No. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status.

28) Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

29) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Tribal governments and tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.

30) Are public housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible.

31) What does the award ceiling of "0" mean in the summary information?

The award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically indicates applicants should consult the full announcement or related budget guidance to understand expected funding levels, limits, or budgeting expectations rather than relying on a fixed maximum shown in the summary fields.

32) What is the core outcome this program is trying to achieve?

The core outcome is stronger outbreak prevention, faster detection, and more effective response across India’s public health system, so public health threats are contained more effectively and spread is reduced.

33) Is the program focused more on short-term projects or long-term systems strengthening?

The program is described as systems-strengthening and capacity-building, with a deliberate emphasis on durable capabilities and increasing local ownership within GoI partner organizations over time.