CDC NCEZID Emerging Infections Network, Travel-Associated Infectious Diseases — RFA-CK-26-035

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Global Migration Health, is accepting applications for RFA-CK-26-035, a U01 cooperative agreement focused on research for preventing, detecting, and managing travel-associated infectious diseases. Applications are due November 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The detailed Submission Requirements section of the NOFO requires a Letter of Intent by September 15, 2026.

The NOFO has two components and expects one award for each. Component A supports a clinic-based sentinel network with up to $1,000,000 per 12-month budget period and $5,000,000 over five years. Component B supports sentinel detection in international transportation hubs with up to $5,000,000 per 12-month budget period and $25,000,000 over five years. There is no required cost share. The funded work covers outbreak detection, travel-associated infectious-disease surveillance, burden and severity, diagnostics, treatment outcomes, genomic surveillance, and development of recommendations to improve patient care.

Eligible applicant types include state and local governments, independent school districts, higher education, federally recognized Tribes and other Tribal organizations, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Applicants are limited to one application per institution and must have a UEI. The PD/PI should demonstrate a successful public-health research and surveillance record and productive collaborations. The NOFO cover summary contains a September 15, 2025 Letter of Intent date, but the detailed Submission Requirements section expressly states September 15, 2026. Applicants should use the detailed submission section and recheck the current federal listing immediately before transmitting the Letter of Intent.

The Letter of Intent is sent to CDC and should identify the opportunity, applicant organization, contact information, project title, PD/PI and key personnel, and participating institutions. The application package uses the current NIH/CDC research forms, including SF-424 (R&R), PHS 398 Research Plan components, budget forms, human-subjects information when applicable, and required attachments. The Research Strategy is limited to 12 pages per component. Electronic submission is through an approved Grants.gov/eRA submission pathway, and applicants should follow the current package instructions and amendment history exactly.