Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Virginia received a $420,000 Project Grant awarded July 1, 2026, through the National Science Foundation's Division of Computing and Communication Foundations under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070). This CAREER award supports the development of next-generation epidemic intelligence systems designed to enhance public health agencies' capabilities in forecasting, managing, and monitoring infectious disease outbreaks. The project addresses critical gaps in current disease surveillance infrastructure by creating a unified, data-driven framework that integrates epidemic forecasting with modern machine learning techniques, enabling multi-scale prediction across both fine-grained contact networks and large-scale population dynamics.

Over the five-year performance period through June 30, 2031, the award will deliver three primary research objectives: advancing epidemic forecasting by combining transmission models with machine learning; designing context-aware intervention strategies that adapt to local conditions such as population density and regional characteristics; and improving surveillance systems for earlier detection and better situational awareness. The project also incorporates significant educational components, including student training at multiple levels, K-12 engagement, and development of open resources to increase participation in data science and public health. These deliverables aim to strengthen public health infrastructure, support evidence-based decision-making, and enhance national resilience to future infectious disease outbreaks.