Emerging Infections Network - Research for Preventing, Detecting, and Managing Travel-associated Infectious Diseases

This funding opportunity aims to strengthen the detection, prevention, and management of infectious diseases among international travelers by establishing a robust research network focused on real-world surveillance and clinical insights. The initiative seeks to improve the speed and accuracy of outbreak detection, enhance understanding of disease progression, refine diagnostic and treatment approaches, and optimize genomic surveillance—all with the goal of advancing U.S. global health security. Research must directly address public health challenges linked to travel-associated infections, with an emphasis on generating actionable data that informs guidelines and improves patient care outcomes. The program includes two distinct but complementary components: a clinic-based sentinel network that collects clinical and epidemiological data from healthcare settings serving travelers, and a sentinel detection system embedded within international transportation hubs such as airports and seaports to capture early signals of emerging threats. Applicants may submit proposals for one or both components, but if a single applicant receives top scores for both, funding will be awarded only for Component B, ensuring resources are directed toward the most critical point of pathogen introduction. Applications must be submitted by November 5, 2026, through the CDC’s solicitation RFA-CK-26-035, with direct inquiries to the designated point of contact at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.