Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Coordination Unit

Building National Partnerships for the Prevention of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases Opportunity number: CDC-RFA-CK-26-0107

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4 Basic information 5

Eligibility 8

Agency priorities 10

Program description 13

Step 2: Get ready to apply 34 Get registered 35

Find the application package 35

Help applying 36

Join the informational call 36

Step 3: Build Your Application 37 Application checklist 38

Application contents and format 40

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award 51 Application review 52

Award notices 54

Step 5: Submit Your Application 55 Submission requirements and deadlines 56

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 57 Post-award requirements and administration 58

CDC award monitoring 61

CDC’s role 61

Contacts and Support 62

Before you begin 3

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get ready to apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get ready to apply

Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 8

Agency priorities 10

Program description 13

Basic information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Division of Healthcare Quality and Promotion

Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Coordination Unit

Enhancing the U.S.’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Building National Partnerships for the Prevention of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases

Opportunity number:

CDC-RFA-CK-26-0107

Assistance listing:

93.084

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Informational call:

June 12, 2026

Expected award date:

August 31, 2026

Expected start date:

September 30, 2026

See Submit Your Application for other time frames that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) strengthens the United States’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It improves infrastructure, workforce development, risk and health messaging, and emergency response capabilities. It will help:

• Expand training for infection prevention and control (IPC) and combating antimicrobial resistance (AR).

• Enhance engagement of frontline healthcare and public health workers.

• Improve healthcare facility resilience.

• Improve coordination and surge staffing during public health responses.

This NOFO includes four components:

• Component 1 (Required): Programmatic Infrastructure and Capacity

◦ Supports foundational infrastructure, including essential management functions and cross-cutting needs such as key personnel, core capabilities, and network access.

• Component 2 (Optional): Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens

◦ Strengthens domestic public health infrastructures that prevent and control infectious diseases that threaten population health.

• Component 3 (Optional): Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare- Associated Infections

◦ Advances evidence-based guidance, practices, and messaging related to preventing and controlling antimicrobial resistance and health-associated infections (AR/HAI).

◦ Supports Project Firstline projects.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

• Component 4: Outbreak and Emergency Response

◦ Strengthens the response to public health threats.

◦ Prioritizes surge capacity and improving response effectiveness, speed or coordination.

You must apply for Component 1 and at least one other component. If you apply for Component 4, it may be approved but unfunded. Component 4 is for coordinated emergency response, if needed.

Funding details Funding type: Cooperative agreement

Total expected awards: 30

Expected awards for:

• Component 1: 30

• Component 2: 15

• Component 3: 15

• Component 4: To be determined, as needed

Period of performance: Five years in 12-month budget periods.

Expected total program funding over the performance period:

$150,000,000

Approximate award amount over the period of performance: $1,000,000

Expected funding per applicant per 12-month budget period for:

• Component 1: $20,000

• Component 2: $100,000

• Component 3: $100,000

• Component 4: TBD as needed

The number of awards is subject to available funds and program priorities.

Funding strategy This NOFO funds four components:

• Component 1 (Required): Programmatic Infrastructure and Capacity

• Component 2: Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens

• Component 3: Antimicrobial Resistance/Healthcare-Associated Infections

• Component 4: Outbreak and Emergency Response

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Please note these requirements and conditions:

• Component 1 is required. You must apply for this and at least one other component.

• Components 2 and 3 are separate scopes of work. Each recipient may receive funding to carry out both components. Funding amounts may vary based on program needs and available funds.

• If you apply for Component 4, it may be approved but unfunded. It will be funded if we identify a public health need related to an infectious disease threat.

• You must submit a separate work plan and budget for each component.

• All awards and funding decisions are subject to the availability of funds.

• Selection for Component 2 and Component 4 funding will be based on multiple factors, including:

◦ Geographic location of the emergency.

◦ Potential for rapid or widespread threat.

◦ Your organization’s capabilities and capacity.

◦ National public health priorities.

◦ Other relevant situational considerations.

Because of these factors, we may make awards out of rank order. If you’re selected, you’ll develop a project plan that builds on your initial application and aligns with the identified infectious disease threat.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Eligibility Eligible applicants Only these types of organizations may apply:

• 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.

• Native American tribal organizations, other than federally recognized tribal governments.

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education.

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education.

• Private institutions of higher education.

• For-profit organizations other than small businesses.

• Faith-based organizations.

• Small businesses.

• Community Health Centers.

• Bona fide agents applying on behalf of state, territorial, local, and tribal government organizations.

Bona fide agents must submit documentation that demonstrates their arrangement with the eligible applicant. See attachments.

Responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these requirements.

These are the basic requirements you must meet to move forward in the competition. We won’t consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that doesn’t meet all eligibility criteria. See requirements in eligibility.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Doesn’t include Component 1 and at least one more component (Components 2-4).

• Proposes research activities. See the definition of research.

• Doesn’t include a project summary, project narrative with each section specified in the NOFO, and budget narrative.

See the application checklists to understand which elements of your application are part of the responsiveness criteria.

Application limits You must follow these limits on the number of applications your organization can submit.

Under this NOFO, you may submit only one application under your organization’s UEI.

Cost sharing and matching funds This program has no cost-sharing requirement, meaning you do not need to contribute to the costs of this project.

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award, and you must report on the funds.

Maintenance of effort Maintenance of effort is not required for this program.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Agency priorities Required alignment with CDC priorities The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Priorities when authorized (for a full description of the CDC Priorities, please follow the provided hyperlink).

Funded activities must:

• Align with CDC’s core priorities by demonstrating a commitment to gold-standard science, transparency, and evidence-based practices.

• Support CDC’s mission to protect Americans from infectious and chronic diseases, strengthen public health systems, and advance innovation in health data and infrastructure.

• Contribute to rapid, science-driven responses to health threats, promote global health leadership, and adhere to principles of integrity, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws and federal priorities.

Consistent with CDC’s values, in carrying out any project funded under this NOFO, the recipient must adhere to the following principles where consistent with the authority and scope of the award and its activities:

• A commitment to gold-standard science and ensuring trust, transparency, and credibility: To build trust and improve CDC’s ability to lead during health crises, CDC will increase transparency, be more accountable, and follow strict, gold-standard scientific practices that are open, unbiased, and based on clear evidence.

• A commitment to global leadership: With staff in 63 countries and supporting 20 more, CDC’s Global Health Center:

◦ Work to prevent disease and advance emergency response.

◦ Detect health threats early, send response teams, train health workers, and provide personal protective equipment, vaccines, and medicines.

◦ Tests disease samples from around the world to prepare for flu and other serious outbreaks.

◦ Has strengthened systems to better protect people at home and abroad after the COVID-19 outbreak.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://www.cdc.gov/about/cdc/index.html

• A commitment to ensuring rapid, evidence-based responses to crises:

During public health emergencies, ensuring rapid, science-driven responses is critical to minimizing harm, maintaining public trust, and restoring stability. To meet this goal, CDC must continue to strengthen its emergency response systems by:

◦ Streamlining internal processes.

◦ Improving risk communication strategies.

◦ Ensuring that laboratory capacity is fully equipped and tested—capable of rapidly developing and deploying scalable diagnostics during crises.

◦ Embedding structures for real-time learning, independent after-action reviews, and the application of lessons learned will ensure that each crisis response is smarter, faster, and more effective than the last.

• A commitment to vaccine safety and efficacy research: CDC will apply “gold-standard” science to all of its vaccine safety and effectiveness research. It will make vaccine data, research methods, and related datasets publicly available through simple data use agreements to improve transparency, accountability, and trust.

• A commitment to advancing our understanding of the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), and chronic disease: CDC conducts research and works with partners to better understand the causes of autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, and chronic diseases. It will use new and existing data to study the rise in these conditions, including the increase in autism diagnoses from 1 in 150 to nearly 1 in 31 over the past 25 years.

• A commitment to modernizing public health infrastructure and enhancing our approach to health data: CDC will modernize public health infrastructure to create a faster, more efficient health system that can detect and respond to outbreaks in real time. This effort includes:

◦ Replacing data silos with integrated systems.

◦ Using advanced technology.

◦ Strengthening partnerships with states to ensure shared responsibility and strong local health data systems.

◦ Emphasizing collaboration across federal and state partners, resilient and adaptable systems, and accountability for funded programs to ensure they align with these priorities and federal requirements.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

• Conflicts of interest: CDC will not support funding programs with conflicts of interest and ensure its work is based on transparent, unbiased science.

• Immigration: CDC funds will not be used to support or encourage illegal immigration, consistent with federal law.

• Protecting life and the family: CDC funds will not be used to support elective abortions, consistent with the Hyde Amendment, and will promote maternal health, the dignity of life, and strong families.

• Ending disorder on America’s streets: CDC will prioritize evidence-based programs that reduce homelessness, drug use, and public disorder. It will support comprehensive services for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorder. CDC will not support housing first strategies, harm-reduction or safe consumption sites, or related activities. To the extent allowable by federal law, CDC intends to give priority to grantees in States and municipalities that have laws and policies that support and enforce CDC’s priorities.

• Gender ideology and protecting children [PDF]: CDC will not fund medical interventions for minors seeking gender transition and will define sex based on biological criteria.

• DEI: CDC will not support DEI initiatives based on group identity and focus on merit-based, evidence-driven approaches to improve health outcomes.

• Parental rights: CDC will support policies that protect parental authority, promote transparency, and give parents greater control over their children’s education.

The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with the full description and listing of CDC values and priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.

Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other enforcement actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 CFR Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award. The full CDC Priorities Statement can be found here: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Priorities.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/gender-dysphoria-report.pdf

Program description Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S.

This NOFO seeks to strengthen our capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats by reaching frontline professionals who work to prevent and control the spread of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats.

To effectively respond to, manage, and address public health threats, CDC partners with national and regional organizations. This NOFO will establish a roster of organizations that are preapproved for rapid funding to respond to public health threats as they emerge.

Related work

• CK20-2003 : Improving Clinical and Public Health Outcomes through

National Partnerships to Prevent and Control Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease Threats

• CK22-2203 : Strengthening Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control and Improving Patient Safety in the United States

Purpose This NOFO aims to strengthen the United States’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It will establish and strengthen a resilient public health infrastructure. Through national partnerships, the program aims to:

• Establish and maintain the infrastructure needed to effectively implement and sustain long-term public health programs.

• Strengthen the national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging pathogens, in healthcare and public health settings.

• Strengthen healthcare facilities’ resilience to keep patients and healthcare workers safe during times of system stress.

• Expand and enhance infection prevention and control training, education, and systems support for frontline healthcare workers.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/bc0b2815-5d27-410a-866e-10da3ce882e6 https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/bc0b2815-5d27-410a-866e-10da3ce882e6 https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/bc0b2815-5d27-410a-866e-10da3ce882e6 https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/ce1cc576-9626-4866-a6e7-7fb96f152752 https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/ce1cc576-9626-4866-a6e7-7fb96f152752

• Advance effective messaging, outreach, and stakeholder engagement to provide accurate and actionable information to combat antimicrobial resistance.

• Strengthen readiness and coordination for public health emergencies through surge capability, partner engagement, and emergency response activities.

Approach Overview This NOFO will strengthen the national capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats with an integrated systems approach.

The approach builds on established strategies that strengthen infectious disease prevention and response. These strategies include strong infrastructure, coordinated systems, high-quality training, and effective messaging. For areas with developing practices, this NOFO prioritizes monitoring and adjustment to optimize implementation.

Components This NOFO has 4 components:

• Component 1 - Programmatic Infrastructure and Capacity: Establishes the foundational systems and personnel needed for effective program implementation.

• Component 2 - Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens: Strengthens national disease prevention, detection, and response capabilities.

• Component 3 - Antimicrobial Resistance/Healthcare-Associated Infections: Expands messaging, education, and implementation of activities to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections, including the application of human factors-informed strategies that strengthen adherence and improve effectiveness.

• Component 4 - Outbreak and Emergency Response: Improves response to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Program logic model The following logic model includes the strategies and activities required under this NOFO.

The logic model also includes the program’s expected outcomes. Outcomes are the results that you intend to achieve. They usually show the intended direction of change, such as increase or decrease.

The asterisked ( * ) outcomes are those we expect you to achieve during the 5-year period of performance. You are required to report on these outcomes.

Not all outcomes apply to all strategies. The table shows how they apply. You will use these outcomes as a guide for developing performance measures.

Please note these definitions for abbreviations in the logic model:

• PH = public health

• HC = healthcare

• AR = antimicrobial resistance

• IPC = infection prevention and control

• CHCs = community health centers

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Table: Strategies and outcomes

Strategies and activities Short-term outcomes Intermediate outcomes Long-term outcomes

Strategy 1.

Implement and monitor

Increased organizational capacity to implement and monitor PH programming.*

More effective PH programming.

Increased capacity for response to outbreaks and emergencies.

Reduced HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Strategy 2.

Disseminate and adopt

Increased distribution and reach of guidance/best practices to prevent and control:

• Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

• AR/HAIs in the target audience, including CHCs.*

Increased adoption of guidance and best practices by workers and workplace leaders to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Improved IPC knowledge, skills and practices across the US PH system.*

Fewer HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Strategy 3.

Inform and adapt

New/existing guidance and approaches are informed and adapted by those engaged to prevent emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and AR/ HAIs.*

Increased adoption of guidance and best practices by workers and workplace leaders to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Fewer HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Strategy 4.

Educate and train

Increased number of HC and PH workers who receive education and/or training on best practices to prevent and control infectious diseases.*

Improved IPC knowledge, skills and practices across the US PH system.*

Fewer HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Strategies and activities Short-term outcomes Intermediate outcomes Long-term outcomes

Strategy 5.

Ready and prepare

Increased planning to manage outbreaks and PH emergencies.*

More PH system resources are developed and/or implemented for IPC during outbreaks and emergencies.*

Increased readiness and preparedness for emergency response to outbreaks and PH emergencies.*

Enhanced response readiness and resilience across the PH system.

Fewer HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Strategy 6.

Build and strengthen

Demonstration of the relationship between structural factors and the resilience of the PH system.*

Improved IPC policies, procedures, and implementation across the US PH system.

Improved IPC knowledge, skills and practices across the US PH system.*

Fewer HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Enhanced response readiness and resilience across the PH system.

Strategy 7.

Accelerate and respond

More PH system resources are developed and/or implemented for IPC during outbreaks and emergencies.*

Increase capacity for response to outbreaks and emergencies.

Improved IPC knowledge, competencies, skills and practices across the US PH system.*

Fewer HC and/or community-associated infections caused by AR and/or emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

Enhanced response readiness and resilience across the PH system.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17

Strategies and activities This section elaborates on the strategies and activities described in the logic model and provides details about how we expect you to implement your program.

You must propose activities that support at least one of the six strategies for each component you’re applying for.

Not every strategy applies to every component. Each component is linked to specific strategies. You should focus only on the strategies for the component(s) you’re applying for and design activities that clearly support those strategies.

Component 1

Strategy 1: Implement and monitor

Activities

• Invest in and maintain the people who are critical and necessary to implement and fiscally manage activities to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Components 2 & 3

Strategy 2: Disseminate and adopt

Activities

• Support CDC in disseminating and adopting guidance, clinical guidelines, best practices, and messaging related to:

◦ Disease prevention and control of emerging/re-emerging pathogens (Component 2).

◦ Antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections (Component 3).

Strategy 3: Inform and adapt

Activities

• Inform and support CDC in developing and adapting guidance, tools, best practices and messaging. This includes collecting and communicating individual expert opinions that consider the needs and perspectives of specific patient populations, clinical specialties, and industry sectors.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18

Strategy 4: Educate and train

Activities

• Engage frontline workers across the public health system to increase knowledge and implementation of CDC best practices to support:

◦ Disease prevention and control of emerging/re-emerging pathogens (Component 2).

◦ Antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections (Component 3).

▪ For Component 3, this strategy supports Project Firstline activities.

Strategy 5: Ready and prepare

Activities

• Improve the public health system’s ability to plan for and be ready to respond to outbreaks and/or public health emergencies caused by:

◦ Emerging/re-emerging pathogens (Component 2).

◦ Antimicrobial resistance/healthcare-associated infections (Component 3).

Component 3

Strategy 6: Build and strengthen

Activities

• Build healthcare resiliency and strengthen healthcare systems by identifying and improving the system-level factors that support or undermine the consistent delivery of safe care, with the goal of reducing healthcare and community-associated infections caused by antimicrobial resistant pathogens.

Component 4

Strategy 7: Accelerate and respond

Activities

• Enhance the response to outbreaks and public health emergencies. This may include:

◦ Increasing or accelerating programming -to support the public health system to respond to an outbreak or public health emergency.

◦ Increasing public health infrastructure or staff.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19

Outcomes This section includes information about the outcomes we expect you to report progress on and achieve within the performance period.

Component 1

Strategy 1: Implement and monitor

Short-term

• Increased organizational capacity to implement and monitor public health programming (only applicable to Component 1).

Components 2 & 3

Strategy 2: Disseminate and adopt

Short-term

• Increased distribution and reach of guidance and best practices to prevent and control:

◦ Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

◦ Antimicrobial resistance/HAIs in your target audience, including community health centers.

Intermediate

• Improved IPC knowledge, skills and practices across the US PH system.*

Strategy 3: Inform and adapt

Short-term

• New/existing guidance and approaches are informed and adapted by those engaged to prevent:

◦ Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

◦ AR/HAIs.

Strategy 4: Educate and train

Short-term

• Increased number of healthcare and public health workers who receive education and/or training on best practices for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Intermediate

• Improved IPC knowledge, skills and practices across the US PH system.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 20

Strategy 5. Ready and prepare

Short-term

• Increased planning to manage outbreaks and PH emergencies.*

• More PH system resources are developed and/or implemented for IPC during outbreaks and emergencies.*

Intermediate

• Increased readiness and preparedness for emergency responses to outbreaks and PH emergencies.

Component 3

Strategy 6. Build and strengthen

Short-term

• Demonstration of the relationship between structural factors and the resilience of the PH system.

Intermediate

• Improved IPC knowledge, skills and practices across the US PH system.

Component 4

Strategy 7. Accelerate and respond

Short-term

• More PH system resources are developed and/or implemented for IPC during outbreaks and emergencies.

Intermediate

• Improved IPC knowledge, competencies, skills and practices across the US PH system.*

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 21

Work plan You must provide a work plan for your project. The work plan connects your performance outcomes, strategies and activities, and measures. It provides more detail on how you will measure outcomes and processes.

You must provide a work plan for each component you’re applying for.

Include all of the activities you’ll implement.

Table: Sample format

Activities you will implement

Progress or process measures

From the data, monitoring, and evaluation section.

Relevant period of performance outcomes

From the outcomes section.

Responsible position or party

Completion date

Strategy 1:

1.

2.

3.

Strategy 2:

1.

2.

3.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 22

Data, monitoring, and evaluation CDC strategy CDC collects and reports on indicators to measure progress toward achieving activities and outcomes. CDC will also use results for program planning, improvement, accountability, and reporting. CDC will share the results with key parties.

CDC will work with you throughout the life of an award to ensure that all activities and expected outcomes align with your strategies and goals, and those of the U.S. government.

You should dedicate some of your award funds to evaluate and monitor the performance of your project. You and CDC will agree on the final funding amount, but we expect that you will dedicate approximately 5 to 10% of your project’s funding to monitoring, reporting, and evaluation activities.

CDC will use multiple data sources to monitor implementation and assess progress toward program objectives. Data sources include your performance reports, surveillance data (where applicable), and other relevant information systems. Monitoring and evaluation activities will emphasize data quality, consistency, and appropriate use of findings. CDC may provide guidance, tools, or technical assistance to support data collection, analysis, and reporting efforts. Findings will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to inform timely decision-making, identify emerging trends, support programmatic adjustments, and contribute to broader public health knowledge.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 23

Required performance measures This section describes the draft performance measures you will need to report on after award. We will likely refine the required measures for this program. If so, we will work with you and finalize them before we require you to submit any data.

Component 1

Strategy 1: Implement and monitor

Process measure

• Number and proportion of key project positions filled and maintained over the reporting period.

Outcome measure

• Identification and mitigation of structural, organizational, or staffing factors that affect infection prevention and control performance.

Component 2 & 3

Process measures

Strategy 2: Disseminate and adopt

• Number of CDC guidance documents, tools, or messages disseminated to target audiences.

Strategy 3: Inform and adapt

• Number of guidance and education products adapted to address the needs of specific populations, clinical specialties, or sectors.

Strategy 4. Educate and train

• Number and type of healthcare and public health workers reached through training or educational activities.

Strategy 5: Ready and prepare

• Number of outbreak response plans reviewed and updated during the reporting period.

Outcome measures

Strategy 2: Disseminate and adopt

• Percentage or number of organizations or workers reporting adoption or implementation of recommended infection prevention and control practices.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 24

Strategy 3: Inform and adapt

• Percentage of facilities or workplaces implementing recommended IPC best practices aligned with current guidance.

Strategy 4. Educate and train

• Percentage of training participants demonstrating increased IPC knowledge or competency from pre- to post-assessment.

Strategy 5: Ready and prepare

• Percentage of jurisdictions/facilities implementing standardized IPC tools, guidance, or protocols for outbreak response.

Component 4

Strategy 7: Accelerate and respond

Process measure

• Number and percentage of PH staff completing outbreak-specific IPC training.

Outcome measure

• Number or proportion of healthcare facilities or public health entities implementing tools, materials, or resources that support routine infection prevention and control and can be scaled during emergencies.

These measures will allow CDC to track implementation progress, assess achievement of period-of-performance outcomes, and inform continuous program improvement. CDC and recipients will work together to finalize performance measures, data sources, targets, and reporting frequencies following award.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 25

Evaluation and performance measurement plan You must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan. Use the measures required under the CDC strategy.

Where you choose to, or are expected to, develop specific evaluation studies, you need to:

• Describe the type of evaluations (i.e., process, outcome, or both).

• Describe key evaluation questions to be addressed by these evaluations.

• Describe other information (e.g., measures, data sources).

Recipients will be required to submit a more detailed Evaluation and Performance Measurement plan, including a DMP, if applicable, within the first 6 months of award, as described in the Reporting section. The CDC program will provide a template.

Given the wide range of potential recipients and their target audiences, evaluation plans will be tailored if partners are funded by CDC programs.

However, each evaluation plan will include some elements that are consistent across recipients (as outlined in the logic model).

Include the following elements.

Methods Describe how you will:

• Collect the performance measures.

• Respond to the evaluation questions.

• Incorporate evaluation and performance measurement into planning, implementing, and reporting project activities.

• Use evaluation findings for continuous program quality improvement.

Additionally, explain:

• How key program partners will participate in the evaluation and performance measurement process.

• How feasible it will be to collect appropriate evaluation and performance data.

• How you will share evaluation findings with communities.

• Other relevant information, such as performance measures you propose.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 26

Data management plan For all public health data you plan to collect, you must have a data management plan (DMP). For a definition of “public health data” and more information about CDC’s policy on the DMP, see Data Management and Access.

Submit your Data Management Plan (DMP) as a separate PDF attachment in Grants.gov under the “Other Attachments” section. Clearly label the file as “Data Management Plan”. Include:

• The data you will collect or generate, and what its sources will be.

• Who can access data and how you will protect it.

• Data standards that explain what documentation the released data will have. That documentation should describe collection methods, what the data represent, and data limitations.

• Archival and long-term data preservation plans.

• Any reasons you cannot share data collected or generated under this award with CDC. These could include legal, regulatory, policy, or technical concerns.

• How you will update the DMP as new information becomes available over the life of the project. You will provide updates to the DMP in annual reports.

Evaluation activities You must take on specific evaluation activities. Describe:

• The type of evaluations you will complete, such as process, outcome, or both.

• Key evaluation questions these evaluations will address.

• Measures and data sources.

• Any other relevant information.

Submit an initial draft of your evaluation and performance measurement plan, including the DMP, with your application. You must submit a more detailed plan within the first six months of the award. See reporting.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 27 https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additional-requirements/ar-25.html https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additional-requirements/ar-25.html

Paperwork Reduction Act Any activities involving information collection from 10 or more individuals or organizations may require Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) approval. The PRA requires review and approval of the information collection by the White House Office of Management and Budget. To determine if a proposed activity requires PRA approval, contact your program contact.

Collections include items like surveys and questionnaires. If you have collections requiring PRA approval, CDC is responsible for working with OMB to gain the approval.

For more information about CDC’s requirements under PRA, see CDC Paperwork Reduction Act Compliance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 28 https://www.cdc.gov/scientific-integrity/php/public-information-collection/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/os/integrity/reducepublicburden/index.htm#cdc_data_surveillance_section_1-cdc-paperwork-reduction-act-compliance

Organizational capacity You must possess the organizational capacity and skills needed to implement the strategies and activities of this NOFO. This includes the abilities to:

• Reach a national or regional network of an occupational category(ies) that are essential to prevent and control emerging or re-emerging infectious disease.

• Implement a functional response to a public health threat. This includes distributing public health guidance, recommendations, and tools and providing support to implement these resources.

• Inform, educate, and empower staff that work to prevent and control infectious diseases.

• Gather and provide expert opinions from individuals in occupational groups on opportunities to adapt existing public health guidance, recommendations, and tools so they are easier to use, better aligned with real-world settings, consistently applied and lead to improved practice and outcomes.

In support of these capabilities, you must document your capacity to implement the required activities. In your application:

• Demonstrate organizational capacity for:

◦ Program and staffing management.

◦ Performance measurement and evaluation systems.

◦ Financial reporting systems.

◦ Communication, technological, and data systems required to implement the activities in an effective and expedited manner.

◦ Physical infrastructure and equipment.

◦ Workforce capacity to successfully execute all proposed strategies and activities based on the planning scenario.

• Demonstrate organizational capacity to manage partnerships with other organizations to ensure a coordinated response to a public health threat.

To support this, attach the following in your application:

• Organizational charts for your organization and relevant public health programs within your structure.

• Letter signed by your organization’s President or CEO on organization letterhead, attesting to the existing capacity and capability for rapid procurement, hiring, and contracting.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 29

As a recipient, you must be able to:

• Submit an amended budget within 14 days of award notice.

• Procure equipment, services, etc.

• Hire or contract for temporary staffing.

• Execute a contract within 30 days.

Collaborations You’ll be expected to collaborate with:

• Other CDC programs and CDC-funded organizations. This includes

◦ Other CDC programs that have content area expertise in the infectious disease of interest.

◦ Other funded recipients to amplify the goals of the program, as described in this NOFO.

• Organizations not funded by CDC.

◦ This funding opportunity may support multiple organizations to address a public health threat from an emerging or re-emerging infectious disease.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 30

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75. You can find details in HHS Summary of Regulatory Changes, which is posted in the Grants.gov Related Documents tab for this opportunity.

General guidance

• You may use funds only for reasonable program purposes consistent with the award, its terms and conditions, and federal laws and regulations that apply to the award. If you have questions about these purposes, ask the grants management specialist.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider options such as:

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

See also program-specific limitations.

Unallowable costs You may not use funds for:

• Research.

• Clinical care, except as allowed by law.

• Pre-award costs, unless we give you prior written approval.

• Other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships:

◦ Publicity or propaganda purposes, including preparing, distributing, or using any material designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before any legislative body.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 31 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200

◦ The salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action, or executive order proposed or pending before any legislative body.

◦ See Anti-Lobbying Restrictions for CDC Grantees.

• For guidance on some types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated. Learn more at CDC Budget Preparation Guidelines.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Enclose a copy of the current approved rate agreement in your attachments.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC).

See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

Other indirect cost policies As described in 2 CFR 200.403(d), you must consistently charge items as either indirect or direct costs and may not double charge.

Indirect costs may include the cost of collecting, managing, sharing, and preserving data.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. As of January 2026, the salary rate limitation is $228,000. We update this limitation when it changes.

Program income If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find out more about program income at

2 CFR 200.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 32 https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/Anti-Lobbying-Restrictions.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/budget-preparation-guidance.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.403(d) https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/26Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307

Expanded authority For more information on expanded authority and pre-award costs, see the HHS Grants Policy Statement and speak to the grants management contact.

Pre-award costs may be allowable as an expanded authority, but only if we authorize the costs.

Statutory authority Public Health Service Act, Section 301(a), [42 USC 241(a)]

Public Health Service Act, Section 317(k)(2), [42 USC 247b(k)(2)]

Public Health Service Act, Section 319E, 42 USC 247d-5: Combating antimicrobial resistance.

Additional authority may also stem from an applicable emergency supplemental appropriation; such appropriation and any requirements and/ or limitation associated with that emergency supplemental will be added to the notice of award.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 33 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%22National+Healthcare+Safety+Network%22&f=treesort&fq=true&num=1&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title42-section247d-5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%22National+Healthcare+Safety+Network%22&f=treesort&fq=true&num=1&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title42-section247d-5

Step 2:

Get ready to apply

In this step

Get registered 35

Find the application package 35

Help applying 36

Join the informational call 36

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier

(UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

Find the application package You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number CK26-0107. After opening the opportunity, select the “package” tab to see the forms.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get ready to apply 35 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

Help applying For help related to the application process and tips for preparing your application, see How to Apply on our website. For other questions, see Contacts and Support.

Join the informational call For more information about this opportunity, join our informational call.

Join on Microsoft Teams.

• Date: Friday, June 12, 2026

• Time: 11 a.m. ET

If you are not able to join through your computer, you can call in.

• 1-404-718-3800,,124114116# United States, Atlanta

• (888) 994-4478,,124114116# United States (Toll-free)

• Find a local number

• Phone conference ID: 124 114 116#

• Passcode: 63vw79KQ

The goals of this session are to provide an overview of the NOFO. Joining and participating is voluntary and does not affect eligibility, application scoring, or award selection. You can attend anonymously.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get ready to apply 36 https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.cdc.gov/grants/applying/index.html https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTc3N2NmMmMtNDMyYS00MDIzLWI4ZmYtM2MwYjRmNTYwZjJm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%229ce70869-60db-44fd-abe8-d2767077fc8f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22f196a034-79b2-4a84-8816-3953d6a654ac%22%7d tel:+14047183800,,124114116 tel:8889944478,,124114116 https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/f157e5c8-9e01-4021-b245-b3aec6e9a1bc?id=124114116

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 38

Application contents and format 40

Application checklist This checklist includes every component you will need to submit a complete application:

Narratives

Item Grants.gov form Page limit Responsiveness factor?

Project summary Project Abstract Summary form

1 page Yes

Project narrative Project Narrative Attachment form

20 pages Yes

Budget narrative Budget Narrative Attachment form

None Yes

Attachments Put all of your attachments into a single Other Attachments form.

Attachments Page limit Responsiveness factor?

1.