BioWatchfactSheet_May 2026.pdf
PDF 337 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program
- Opportunity number
- DHS-26-GPD-091-00-99
- Issued by
-
Federal Emergency Management Agency
About this file
This document is a program overview for the BioWatch Program, administered by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The BioWatch Program is the only civilian biodetection system designed to provide early warning of biological attacks and coordinate rapid public health response across federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders. The program operates daily in 30+ metropolitan areas across 22 states, protecting approximately one-third of the U.S. population during routine operations, with additional coverage during 80+ high-visibility special events annually.
The program's core capabilities include three primary functions: Monitor and Identify (operating air samplers at designated U.S. locations with daily filter retrieval and analysis in rigorous quality standard laboratories), Plan and Prepare (facilitating trainings, drills, and exercises through Jurisdictional Coordinators to enhance preparedness and decision-making), and Notify and Respond (alerting federal, state, and local partners upon detection of biological agents to ensure timely response). Annual program impacts include delivering 1,100+ trainings covering biodetection and incident characterization, supporting 100+ jurisdictional exercises and drills, and maintaining coordination mechanisms for normal and enhanced operations. The program's overarching objective is to reduce morbidity and mortality following a bioterrorist attack through early detection and rapid public health response.
BioWatch Fact Sheet
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| BioWatchInfographic_2026-v1.pdf | ||
| FY 26 NOFO_BioWatch.pdf |
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Text version
BioWatch
Program Overview The BioWatch Program is the only civilian biodetection system able to provide early warning of a biological attack, and provides leadership, guidance, and support to state and local partners.
Studies have shown that the combination of early warning and a rapid public health response saves lives and significantly reduces the illness rate in the event of an intentional release of specific aerosolized biological agents.
Key Objectives and Goals The BioWatch Program's goal is to reduce morbidity and mortality following a bioterrorist attack through the detection, initiation of rapid public health response, and early warning by meeting the following objectives.
Operate and sustain a biodetection capability throughout the United States.
Engage state and local stakeholders on preparedness and response activities.
Establish coordination mechanisms between federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders for normal and enhanced operations.
Core Activities and Capabilities Monitor and Identify.
BioWatch operates air samplers in designated U.S. locations. The filters from those air samplers are retrieved daily and analyzed in BioWatch laboratories, which are held to rigorous quality standards, to determine the presence of specific biological agents.
Plan and Prepare.
BioWatch Jurisdictional Coordinators help state and local partners plan and prepare by facilitating trainings, drills, and exercises to enhance coordination, communication, and decision-making. These efforts integrate BioWatch into broader emergency planning, strengthening all-hazards preparedness and building a critical network for responding to bioterrorism.
Notify and Respond.
Upon detection of a biological agent, BioWatch alerts federal, state, and local partners, and coordinates initial actions to ensure timely and efficient response.
Successes and Impacts Operates daily in 30+ metropolitan areas in 22 states, protecting approximately one-third of the U.S. population during its routine operations.
Provides increased capability and coverage by supporting 80+ high-visibility special events per year.
BioWatch delivers 1,100+ trainings annually, covering all aspects of the program’s biodetection, incident characterization, and notification and response activities.
BioWatch supports more than 100 jurisdictional exercises and drills annually.
United States Department of
Homeland Security
For more information, contact
DHS.gov
BioWatch@ hq.dhs.gov.
BioWatch https://www.dhs.gov/ mailto:CWMD@hq.dhs.gov.
mailto:CWMD@hq.dhs.gov.
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