Expanding global health security though local partnerships in Tanzania | CDC RFA JG 26 0052

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Expanding global health security though local partnerships in Tanzania."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is CDC RFA JG 26 0052.

3) Which agency is offering this grant?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Global Health Security (GHC) work, is soliciting proposals for this opportunity.

4) What type of award is this?

This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement. That typically means CDC expects to have substantial programmatic involvement as the funded work is implemented.

5) What is the overall purpose of the program?

The purpose is to support Tanzania in meeting core capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR) by advancing Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) priorities, building on Tanzania's Joint External Evaluation and its costed National Action Plan for Health Security developed using a multi-sector, cross-government approach.

6) What major system areas does the NOFO focus on?

Based on the information provided, the grant focuses on connected system areas that strengthen Tanzania's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats, including biosurveillance, emergency response capacity (including emergency operations centers), laboratory strengthening (including biosafety and biosecurity), timely and transparent reporting, and workforce development.

7) What does the opportunity mean by improving biosurveillance?

The opportunity emphasizes finding disease signals earlier and sharing them faster. This includes building or upgrading surveillance systems that link into information-sharing platforms to help predict and identify emerging health threats, and moving toward networked, interoperable surveillance where data can be collected, analyzed, and communicated to support rapid decision-making at local, national, and international levels.

8) Are points of entry included in the biosurveillance focus?

Yes. The opportunity specifically mentions strengthening detection and reporting at points of entry such as borders, ports, and airports.

9) What emergency response capabilities are highlighted?

A central component is developing and strengthening emergency operations centers (EOCs) at national and subnational levels, with an emphasis on improving coordination structures and operational readiness so Tanzania can manage outbreaks and other public health emergencies more effectively across regions.

10) Does the opportunity support subnational (regional/local) emergency readiness, or only national-level readiness?

It supports both. The NOFO signals interest in EOC development and strengthening at national and subnational levels, suggesting an intent to improve readiness across regions and not only from a central headquarters.

11) What kinds of emergency management functions are implied under the EOC work?

The description references incident management systems, emergency coordination procedures, and mechanisms that allow technical teams and leadership to organize resources quickly when a threat is detected.

12) What laboratory activities are prioritized?

Laboratory strengthening is a priority, including enhancing national laboratory capabilities and ensuring biosafety and biosecurity best practices are consistently applied. The goal is accurate and reliable detection of outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and emerging zoonotic diseases.

13) Is antimicrobial resistance (AMR) included in the laboratory scope?

Yes. The information provided explicitly includes improving detection related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

14) Are zoonotic diseases included in the laboratory scope?

Yes. The information provided explicitly mentions emerging zoonotic diseases as part of the laboratory strengthening focus.

15) What does the NOFO imply by emphasizing biosafety and biosecurity?

It suggests the opportunity is not only about testing capacity and equipment, but also about safe handling of pathogens, quality systems, and risk-reduction practices that protect staff and communities while improving the trustworthiness of results.

16) What does the program say about disease reporting and transparency?

The opportunity aims to improve timely and transparent reporting of disease emergencies and health threats to appropriate national and international authorities, aligning with IHR expectations for prompt notification and information sharing when events may pose a public health risk beyond borders.

17) What kinds of improvements are typically associated with the reporting objective (based on the description provided)?

The description indicates strengthening reporting pathways, clarifying roles and responsibilities, improving the speed and quality of situation reports, and reinforcing governance processes that support consistent communication during rapidly evolving events.

18) Is workforce development part of the program?

Yes. The NOFO places strong emphasis on workforce development, specifically building a functional biosurveillance workforce that includes trained "disease detectives" and laboratory scientists.

19) What kinds of workforce activities are implied?

The description points to training, mentoring, and retention approaches that expand field epidemiology and laboratory expertise, strengthen outbreak investigation skills, and improve the day-to-day ability to run surveillance and lab systems under routine conditions and during emergencies.

20) How many awards does CDC anticipate making?

The opportunity anticipates making up to three awards.

21) What is the application deadline?

The closing date is October 2, 2026.

22) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.318.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool is described as broad, including various levels of government, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, and it is also marked as unrestricted.

24) Are for-profit entities eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are included in the eligible applicant pool as described.

25) Do nonprofits need to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?

No. The eligibility description includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status.

26) Is the opportunity restricted to a narrow applicant type or sector?

No. It is described as having a broad eligible applicant pool and is also marked as unrestricted.

27) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is shown as 0 in the summary. This commonly indicates that a specific maximum was not provided in the summary field and that applicants should consult the full notice for detailed budget guidance, expectations, and any limits or recommended funding ranges.

28) How does the opportunity connect to Tanzania's planning and assessments?

The opportunity builds on Tanzania's recently completed Joint External Evaluation and its costed National Action Plan for Health Security developed using a multi-sector, cross-government approach.

29) What is the intended direction for surveillance systems under this opportunity?

The intent is to move toward networked, interoperable surveillance where data can be collected, analyzed, and communicated in ways that support rapid decision-making at local, national, and international levels.

30) Why does the NOFO emphasize both systems and people?

The description links workforce development to biosurveillance and laboratory performance and underscores that sustainable health security depends on both the systems (surveillance, laboratories, reporting pathways, EOCs) and the trained workforce needed to operate them during routine periods and emergencies.