Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare (MInD Healthcare) to Improve Pathogen Prevention and Healthcare Delivery

Background
The Modeling Infectious Diseases in Healthcare (MInD Healthcare) initiative is led by the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases within the CDC. The goal of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support the development of innovative mathematical models and computational tools to enhance pathogen prevention and healthcare delivery.

This initiative aims to address the significant public health threat posed by healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs), particularly in light of the challenges highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. By fostering collaboration with public health partners, this NOFO seeks to improve decision-making and optimize evidence-based prevention strategies in healthcare settings.

Grant Details
The NOFO supports tasks including:
1) Modeling the spread of pathogens in healthcare settings, focusing on HAIs and AROs;
2) Predicting outbreaks of HAI pathogens and trends in antimicrobial resistance;
3) Assessing intervention strategies' effectiveness;
4) Enhancing training and workforce development opportunities in applied public health modeling;
5) Establishing a network of multidisciplinary scientists to conduct computational, statistical, and mathematical work aimed at improving pathogen control.

The program emphasizes developing models that account for transmission dynamics among various actors in healthcare environments, including patients, healthcare workers, and environmental factors.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), and private institutions of higher education. Organizations requesting funding above specified ceilings will be deemed non-responsive. There is no cost-sharing or matching funds requirement.

Period of Performance
The expected period of performance spans five years with projects awarded for five 12-month budget periods.

Grant Value
Total program funding is expected to range from $16,500,000 to $19,500,000 over the performance period. Individual awards are anticipated to be between $550,000 to $650,000 per budget period with an average award amount also within this range. The number of awards will depend on available funds and program priorities.

Place of Performance
The grant activities are expected to be performed primarily within the United States.