Advancing Outbreak Detection, Notification, and Response Capacity by Implementing 7-1-7 in Partner Countries | CDC RFA JG 26 0214

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA JG 26 0214

The grant opportunity titled "Advancing Outbreak Detection, Notification, and Response Capacity by Implementing 7-1-7 in Partner Countries" (Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA JG 26 0214) is a CDC global health cooperative agreement aimed at helping partner countries strengthen the core public health systems needed to find outbreaks earlier, report them faster, and control them more effectively. The work funded under this program is meant to be carried out outside the United States and its territories, reflecting a prevention-first approach: improving outbreak readiness abroad reduces the chances that dangerous biological threats grow into cross-border crises that can reach the United States, disrupt travel and trade, or require costly emergency responses.

A central feature of the NOFO is the use of the "7-1-7" target as an organizing framework for performance and accountability. In practical terms, 7-1-7 is used to drive measurable improvements along the timeline of an outbreak: detection within 7 days of emergence, notification within 1 day of detection (including reporting across relevant sectors and potentially across borders), and initiation of effective response within 7 days of notification. The funding is therefore not just about adding resources, but about tightening the speed and reliability of how surveillance, laboratories, reporting systems, and response operations work together under real-world conditions. The goal is to contain outbreaks while they are still small, preventing avoidable illness and death while also limiting the wider economic shock that outbreaks often cause.

The NOFO emphasizes system strengthening across several linked areas. On detection, it supports improvements to surveillance capacity so countries can spot unusual health events earlier, whether through event-based surveillance, routine indicator-based systems, better field investigation capacity, or stronger integration of human and animal health signals where relevant. On notification, it prioritizes improving information flow and coordination, which can include clearer reporting pathways, faster data sharing between local and national levels, and stronger cross-sector communication so that public health, clinical services, laboratories, emergency management, and other partners can rapidly align on what is happening and what actions are needed. On response, it supports operational readiness to act quickly once an event is confirmed or suspected, including incident management functions, rapid response teams, logistics, and the practical ability to implement control measures that actually slow transmission.

Laboratory readiness is highlighted as a key enabler throughout the 7-1-7 pathway. This includes the capacity to safely and quickly test for priority pathogens, maintain quality systems, and ensure specimens and results move fast enough to inform decisions. The opportunity also stresses making response operations more effective, which often involves improving standard operating procedures, training and exercises, after-action reviews, and the ability to scale up response activities without losing coordination. Overall, the NOFO frames these investments as a way to build durable capabilities rather than one-off projects, with an eye toward long-term self-reliance and stability in recipient countries.

From a policy and management standpoint, the program explicitly ties its purpose to U.S. interests and to burden sharing. It describes accountability and efficiency as priorities, signaling that recipients should be prepared to show progress, use resources responsibly, and focus on interventions that produce measurable improvements in outbreak timeliness and control. The cooperative agreement structure also implies substantial involvement from CDC in implementation, technical support, and performance monitoring compared with a standard grant, with an expectation that awardees work closely with CDC to meet the program goals.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity in the health category under CFDA 93.318, managed by Centers for Disease Control-GHC. The application deadline listed is 2026-08-14, and CDC anticipates making about 8 awards. The listed award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically means the specific funding cap is not provided in the summarized record and applicants would need to consult the full NOFO document for detailed budget guidance, period of performance, and any country or regional focus. Eligibility is broad and includes various levels of government, public and private higher education institutions, tribal entities and organizations, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and unrestricted applicants, which suggests CDC is open to a range of implementers as long as they can operate effectively in partner countries and deliver measurable improvements aligned with the 7-1-7 benchmark.

In essence, this opportunity funds practical, measurable upgrades to the full outbreak pipeline in partner countries: earlier detection of health threats, faster and more reliable notification to the right decision-makers, and a quicker, more coordinated response that stops outbreaks before they spread. By focusing on speed, coordination, and operational capability rather than isolated activities, the NOFO aims to reduce the human and economic costs of outbreaks abroad while also strengthening global health security in ways that benefit Americans and international partners alike.

• The Centers for Disease Control-GHC in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Outbreak Detection, Notification, and Response Capacity by Implementing 7-1-7 in Partner Countries" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.318.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: 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/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.

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