RFA-CE-18-000
🏛 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA (HHS-CDC-HHSCDCERA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for public health organizations strengthening epidemiology and laboratory capacity. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal health departments; public universities; and 501(c)(3) public health organizations. Projects must address disease surveillance, outbreak response, or laboratory infrastructure in the United States.
Applicants must demonstrate existing public health infrastructure or capacity to develop it. Funding prioritizes underserved regions and emerging health threats. Geographic focus is nationwide, with special attention to high-need jurisdictions.
Proposed activities must align with CDC's epidemiology and laboratory priorities. These include workforce development, technology infrastructure, data systems, and equipment. Collaborative partnerships with multiple agencies strengthen competitiveness.
This grant is for public health organizations strengthening epidemiology and laboratory capacity. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal health departments; public universities; and 501(c)(3) public health organizations. Projects must address disease surveillance, outbreak response, or laboratory infrastructure in the United States.
Applicants must demonstrate existing public health infrastructure or capacity to develop it. Funding prioritizes underserved regions and emerging health threats. Geographic focus is nationwide, with special attention to high-need jurisdictions.
Proposed activities must align with CDC's epidemiology and laboratory priorities. These include workforce development, technology infrastructure, data systems, and equipment. Collaborative partnerships with multiple agencies strengthen competitiveness.
Program description
Submit application as necessary for Type 6 Applications.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for public health organizations strengthening epidemiology and laboratory capacity. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal health departments; public universities; and 501(c)(3) public health organizations. Projects must address disease surveillance, outbreak response, or laboratory infrastructure in the United States.
Applicants must demonstrate existing public health infrastructure or capacity to develop it. Funding prioritizes underserved regions and emerging health threats. Geographic focus is nationwide, with special attention to high-need jurisdictions.
Proposed activities must align with CDC's epidemiology and laboratory priorities. These include workforce development, technology infrastructure, data systems, and equipment. Collaborative partnerships with multiple agencies strengthen competitiveness.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (typically 20–25 pages)
- Budget Narrative and Budget Detail
- Organizational Capacity statement
- Letters of Commitment from partners
- Work Plan with timelines
- Evaluation plan describing outcomes and metrics
Program contact
- 👤 Linton C Browning Grants Management Specialist
- 📧 lbrowning@cdc.gov
- 📞 770-488-2756
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.136 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$38,143,639
-
$34,000,000
-
$31,738,059
-
$30,693,766
-
$28,459,850
-
$28,222,200
-
$26,704,737
-
$26,450,431
-
$26,071,385
-
$26,070,052
Top States by Funding
- DC 7 awards $158.8M
- OH 5 awards $95.2M
- GA 4 awards $80.9M
- FL 4 awards $68.0M
- PA 3 awards $65.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.136). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $456,943,397 | |
| 2025 | $458,397,564 | |
| 2026 est. | $458,397,564 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
State, local, and tribal health departments, public universities, and 501(c)(3) public health organizations. Applicants must have capacity to conduct epidemiology or laboratory work.
What types of projects does this grant support?
Disease surveillance systems, outbreak response capacity, laboratory upgrades, workforce training, and data infrastructure. Equipment purchase and staff salary support are typically eligible.
What is the typical funding amount and project period?
Award amounts and project periods vary. Check the Federal Register announcement for specific funding levels and duration requirements.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. CDC typically funds 15–25% of applications. Successful proposals demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and clear public health impact.
When is the application due?
The deadline is September 30, 2030. Submit through Grants.gov well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Link all activities directly to CDC epidemiology and lab priorities. Vague public health goals will not score well.
- Quantify baseline capacity gaps and explain how grant funding closes them. Use data and evidence.
- Include letters of commitment from partners. Multi-agency collaboration significantly strengthens competitiveness.
- Budget realistically for staff, equipment, and training. Reviewers penalize underestimated costs.
- Describe sustainability plan for after federal funding ends. Show how improvements will continue long-term.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they lack clear epidemiology or laboratory focus. Vague "public health improvement" proposals score poorly.
Weak sustainability plans hurt competitiveness. Reviewers want to see how capacity will persist after grant ends.
Underdeveloped partnerships or collaboration plans reduce scores. CDC values multi-jurisdictional and multi-sector approaches.
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