The US Travelers Health Research, Surveillance, Communication, and Outreach Network (RFA-CK-26-036) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's efforts to protect U.S. residents traveling internationally by improving access to timely health information before, during, and after travel. This cooperative agreement will fund a single award to establish a network that enhances travel preparation information, collects health data through innovative electronic medical record, web, and mobile phone applications, and conducts timely research on emerging health threats.

Overview

Administered by the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration Health, this opportunity aims to help U.S. travelers with pre-travel preparation, access to timely health information while traveling, and timely research on health conditions. The project will improve access to high-quality travel preparation information for both healthcare providers and travelers, collect health information before, during, and after travel through innovative electronic medical record (EMR), web, and mobile phone applications, and build on this platform to conduct timely research on emerging health threats including enrollment of prospective cohorts. The network will also increase awareness of travel medicine among primary care providers and provide them with appropriate tools for advising international travelers with up-to-date recommendations.

Funding and Benefits

• Funding type: Cooperative agreement
• Period of performance: 5 years in 12-month budget periods
• Expected total program funding: $5,000,000
• Expected funding per budget period: $1,000,000
• Maximum award amount per budget period: $1,000,000
• Minimum award amount per budget period: $750,000
• Number of awards expected: 1

Eligibility

Only the following 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
• Bona fide agents applying on behalf of state, territorial, local, and tribal government organizations (must submit documentation demonstrating their arrangement with the eligible applicant)

Only one application per institution may be submitted. Each institution must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications that request a budget amount exceeding the ceiling of $1,000,000 per year or total budget of $5,000,000, or that exceed the 12-page limit for the Research Strategy, will not be considered.

Deadline and Timeline

• Application submission deadline: November 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
• Required letter of intent deadline: September 15, 2026
• Expected scientific review dates: December 15, 2026
• Expected secondary review dates: January 12, 2027
• Expected award date: September 1, 2027
• Expected start date: September 30, 2027
• Expiration date: December 7, 2026

Contact Information

• Scientific and research: Brian York, Ph.D., Scientific Program Officer, (404) 639-7094, RYork@cdc.gov
• Scientific merit review: Seraphine Pitt Barnes, PhD, MPH, CHES, Scientific Review Officer, (770) 488-6115, SPittBarnes@cdc.gov
• Grants management: Sharon Cassell, Grants Management Officer, (770) 488-2703, ZPR0@cdc.gov
• Grants.gov support: 1-800-518-4726, support@grants.gov (24/7 support, closed on federal holidays)
• SAM.gov support: 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk
• eRA Commons Help Desk: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552, commons@od.nih.gov (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, closed on federal holidays)