The Emerging Infections Network - Research for Preventing, Detecting, and Managing Travel-associated Infectious Diseases (RFA-CK-26-035) is a cooperative agreement offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The programme supports research and surveillance to produce insights into disease detection, prevention strategies, burden, severity, diagnostics, treatment, and outcomes of infectious diseases in international travelers.

Overview

Timely surveillance and sentinel detection are essential for collecting actionable data. The research is expected to address public health questions that improve the speed of outbreak detection, help develop guidelines and recommendations to improve patient care, enhance understanding of the natural history of disease, optimize genomic surveillance and diagnostic and treatment strategies, and advance the global health security of the United States.

This funding opportunity comprises two components:

• Component A – Clinic-based sentinel network.
• Component B – Sentinel detection in international transportation hubs.

Applicants may apply for Component A, Component B, or both. If an application for both components is ranked top, Component B will be awarded.

Funding and Benefits

The total estimated program funding is $30,000,000 over a performance period of five years (12-month budget periods). The award ceiling is $6,000,000 and the award floor is $1,750,000. Two awards are expected, one for each component, subject to available funds and program priorities.

Funding details per component per budget period:

• Component A – Expected total program funding: $5,000,000; expected funding per budget period: $1,000,000; maximum award per budget period: $1,000,000; minimum award per budget period: $750,000.
• Component B – Expected total program funding: $25,000,000; expected funding per budget period: $5,000,000; maximum award per budget period: $5,000,000; minimum award per budget period: $1,000,000.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement (activity code U01, assistance listing 93.084).

Eligibility

The following types of organizations are eligible to 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
• Bona fide agents applying on behalf of state, territorial, local, and tribal government organizations (must submit documentation demonstrating the arrangement)

Each institution may submit only one application and must have its own Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications that fail to meet all eligibility criteria, exceed the page limit or budget ceilings, do not clearly state the component(s) applied for, or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Key Dates and Application Requirements

Applicants must submit applications by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 5, 2026. A required letter of intent is due by September 15, 2025.

Prospective applicants should secure active registrations in SAM.gov (which can take several weeks) and Grants.gov (which can take several days) well in advance. A Login.gov registration is also required for Grants.gov.

The Research Strategy for each component must not exceed 12 pages. Applications must clearly delineate activities supporting Component A or Component B and state the component(s) applied for in the Specific Aims section.

Other key dates include the expected scientific review on December 15, 2026, secondary review on January 12, 2027, expected award date of August 2, 2027, and expected start date of September 1, 2027. The opportunity expires on December 7, 2026.

Contact Information

Scientific and Research
Brian York, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Officer
Phone: (404) 639-7094
Email: ryork@cdc.gov

Scientific Merit Review
Seraphine Pitt Barnes, PhD, MPH, CHES
Scientific Review Officer
Phone: (770) 488-6115
Email: SPittBarnes@cdc.gov

Grants Management
Sharon Cassell
Phone: (770) 488-2703
Email: ZPR0@cdc.gov

Help with Systems
Grants.gov: 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov (24/7 support, closed federal holidays)
SAM.gov: 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk
eRA Commons Help Desk: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (TTY 301-451-5939); email commons@od.nih.gov (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, closed federal holidays)