Strengthening Global Health Security through local partnerships in Sierra Leone

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement under solicitation CDC-RFA-JG-26-0050 to strengthen global health security and public health resilience in Sierra Leone. The program aims to enhance the country's capacity to identify, respond to, and mitigate infectious disease threats by focusing on five primary strategies: laboratory systems, emergency response, data integration, workforce strategy, and general health system strengthening. Key objectives include improving biosafety and biosecurity through the One Health model, scaling up emergency management curricula, automating surveillance reporting via digital tools, and expanding the public health workforce through Field Epidemiology Training Programs. The initiative is designed to transfer assistance activities to the Government of Sierra Leone and the National Public Health Agency over a five-year period of performance. Funding is structured around four Year 1 components with ceilings ranging from 1 million dollars for core priorities up to 20 million dollars for emerging infectious disease threats, with a total potential Year 1 value of up to 46 million dollars. Applications are due by October 6, 2026, with an expected award date of October 30, 2026. Evaluation is based on a merit review process scoring background and approach, organizational capacity, and the evaluation and performance measurement plan. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and GrantSolutions and provide comprehensive documentation, including a project narrative, financial capability statement, and experience statement. The award requires strict adherence to 2 CFR 200 administrative requirements, host country laws, and specific cybersecurity protocols for protecting personally identifiable information.