Public Health Response, Forecasting, and Analytic Capacities Related to Disease Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics

In order to advance U.S. public health response, forecasting, and analytic capacities related to disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Ana

CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) harnesses cutting-edge analytics for forecasting and modeling infectious disease outbreaks to improve our country's response capabilities during public health emergencies. Our vision is to empower people with modeling tools to save lives and protect communities from health threats.

Applicant requirements will be delineated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity

All eligibility requirements will be delineated in the NOFO.

Project funds may be used for costs associated with , for activities to be conducted to support public health data surveillance and analytics infrastructure modernization initiatives at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and establish, expand, and maintain efforts to modernize the United States disease warning system to forecast and track hotspots for COVID-19, its variants, and emerging biological threats, including academic and workforce support for analytics and informatics infrastructure and data collection systems as described above in Section 50 and through CDC allowable and unallowable expenses. Recipients may only expend funds for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, travel, supplies, and services, such as contractual.

Restrictions that must be considered while planning the programs and writing the budget are:  Recipients may not use funds for research.  Recipients may not use funds for clinical care except as allowed by law.  Recipients may use funds only for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, travel, supplies, and services.  Generally, recipients may not use funds to purchase furniture or equipment. Any such proposed spending must be clearly identified in the budget.  Reimbursement of pre-award costs generally is not allowed, unless the CDC provides written approval to the recipient.  Other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, no funds may be used for:  publicity or propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any material designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before any legislative body  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 Additional Requirement (AR) 12 for detailed guidance on this prohibition and additional guidance on anti-lobbying restrictions for CDC recipients.  The direct and primary recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantial role in carrying out project outcomes and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provider who is ineligible.

Financial assistance is provided for a 12-month budget period with a period of performance of up to five years subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory progress of the recipient.

Applications are reviewed on the basis of scientific/technical merit, with attention given to such matters as: (1) The degree to which the applicant satisfies the essential requirements and possesses other desired characteristics, such as depth, breadth, and scientific merit of the overall application relative to the types of research and demonstration projects proposed; (2) clarity of purpose and overall qualifications, adequacy and appropriateness of personnel to accomplish proposed prevention research projects and demonstration projects, and the nation's health priorities and needs; (3) ability to generalize, translate and disseminate to State or local health departments, boards of education and other appropriate national regional, and local public health agencies and organizations; (4) reasonableness of the proposed budget in relation to the work proposed

After review and approval, a notice of award is prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public. Initial awards provides funds for first budget period and Notice of Award indicates support recommended for the remainder of the period of performance. Applications will be evaluated for completeness and responsiveness by the agency program and CDC Office of Grant Services (OGS). CDC will not review incomplete and non-responsive applications. After review and approval, a Notice of Award (NoA) will be prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public. Initial awards provide funds for the first budget period (usually 12 months) and the NoA will indicate support recommended for the remainder of the project period, allocation of Federal funds by budget categories, and special conditions, if any.

Check Grants.gov for any relevant NOFO information regarding processes for applying for assistance.

Objective Review Panel

If additional support is desired to continue a research project beyond the approved project period, an application for competing continuation must be submitted for review in the same manner as a new application. Projects are renewable for periods of 1 to 3 years.