Enhancing global laboratory systems to safely manage biological risks, deploy diagnostics, and sequence pathogens to improve capacities for global health threat response and detection

Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to enhance global laboratory systems to safely manage biological risks, deploy diagnostics, and sequence pathogens. The goal is to protect public health globally by strengthening public health laboratory systems, improving the workforce, enhancing bio-risk management, and reinforcing emergency preparedness in alignment with the 7-1-7 outbreak response paradigm. This initiative aims to improve capacities for global health threat response and detection.

Grant Details
Activities under this NOFO will focus on:
1) Strengthening public health laboratory systems;
2) Improving public health laboratory workforce;
3) Enhancing bio-risk management;
4) Reinforcing emergency laboratory preparedness;
5) Enhancing laboratory quality management systems;
6) Improving diagnostic capacity via rapid tests for low-resource settings and genomic sequencing for pathogens of pandemic potential. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the objectives of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The program is divided into three components:
- Component 1 focuses on core activities supporting baseline Global Health Security activities;
- Component 2 addresses rapid, small-scale responses to infectious disease outbreaks;
- Component 3 involves rapid, large-scale responses to such outbreaks.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and foreign or non-U.S. based entities.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is planned for five years with projects awarded for five 12-month budget periods. The application submission deadline is July 13, 2026.

Grant Value
The expected total funding for Year 1 is $6 million with an anticipated number of awards ranging from 2 to 3. The exact amounts for each award will be determined upon award.

Place of Performance
Projects must be conducted in various countries/regions including Eastern Europe/Central Asia (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine), Middle East/North Africa (Bahrain, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia), South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru), Southeast Asia (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia), Central America and Caribbean (Costa Rica, El Salvador), East Asia/Pacific (China), West Africa (Burkina Faso), Central & East Africa (Cameroon), and Southern Africa Region (Botswana).