US Travelers Health Research, Surveillance, Communication, and Outreach Network | RFA CK 26 036

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the US Travelers Health Research, Surveillance, Communication, and Outreach Network opportunity?

This opportunity (RFA CK 26 036) is a CDC cooperative agreement intended to strengthen how the United States prepares and protects residents who travel internationally. The goal is to build a coordinated, modern network that improves pre-travel readiness, supports travelers with timely health information while abroad, and enables faster research and situational awareness when new or evolving travel-related health threats emerge.

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC - ERA).

What type of funding instrument is this?

This is a cooperative agreement, which indicates substantial federal involvement and collaboration during the project period rather than a hands-off grant.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.084.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program aims to modernize travel health practice and surveillance by connecting provider outreach, traveler communication, and technology-enabled data collection into a coordinated program. The expected result is better pre-travel preparation, more timely health messaging while people are abroad, and faster, higher-quality evidence generation to help respond to emerging international health risks affecting U.S. travelers.

What gaps is this opportunity trying to address in travel health?

The opportunity is designed to close gaps such as inconsistent pre-travel counseling, limited reach of travel health guidance into everyday primary care settings, and slow or fragmented data collection about illnesses and exposures tied to international travel.

How many awards does CDC expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is $1,000,000.

Does the single-award approach mean partnerships are not allowed?

The notice anticipates one lead organization operating as the backbone for the network, and it also suggests that the lead may work with partners to deliver network functions such as data collection, communication, and research.

What are the major project functions described in the opportunity?

The project centers on three connected functions: (1) improving access to high-quality travel preparation information for healthcare providers and travelers; (2) collecting health information before, during, and after travel using innovative digital approaches (EMR, web-based tools, and mobile apps); and (3) building on the digital platform to conduct timely research on emerging health threats.

What does "improving access to high-quality travel preparation information" mean in practice?

It means making travel medicine guidance easier to find, easier to use, and more actionable both at the point of care and for the general public, so that travelers and clinicians can make informed decisions before departure.

What kinds of digital approaches does the opportunity specifically call out?

The opportunity specifically mentions electronic medical records (EMR), web-based tools, and mobile phone applications as ways to collect health information across the travel timeline.

Why is data collection described as "before, during, and after travel" important?

The intent is to move beyond purely retrospective or clinic-based reporting by supporting more timely, real-world data capture across the entire travel timeline, which can improve situational awareness and responsiveness to emerging threats.

What kinds of research activities are envisioned under this network?

The opportunity calls for timely research on emerging health threats, which may include rapidly characterizing new risks, tracking patterns of illness among travelers, and informing updated recommendations as international conditions change.

How does the opportunity emphasize support for travelers while they are abroad?

A core element is providing travelers with timely health information while they are abroad, improving communication and outreach during travel rather than focusing only on pre-travel counseling.

Why does the NOFO emphasize primary care providers?

Many travelers do not visit specialized travel clinics. CDC is seeking to increase awareness of travel medicine among primary care clinicians and equip them with practical tools to advise international travelers using current, evidence-informed recommendations.

What kinds of deliverables are suggested for primary care settings?

The description suggests deliverables that fit routine clinical workflows, such as decision support, streamlined counseling resources, and patient-facing materials that align with CDC guidance and can be updated quickly when outbreaks or advisories change.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state, county, and city governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education for those nonprofit categories); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.

Are for-profit entities eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included among eligible applicants.

Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible (with the stated exclusion that these nonprofit categories do not include institutions of higher education).

What is the application deadline?

The posted closing date is 2026-11-05.

When was the opportunity posted?

The creation date listed is 2026-08-05.

What is the overall outcome CDC is seeking through this cooperative agreement?

CDC is seeking a coordinated program that improves pre-travel readiness, strengthens communication to travelers while abroad, and produces faster, higher-quality evidence and situational awareness to support updated recommendations and responses to emerging international health risks.

Is this opportunity focused only on clinicians, or also on travelers directly?

It targets both. The project prioritizes improving access to preparation information for healthcare providers and travelers, and it also emphasizes traveler communication while abroad.

How does this opportunity relate to surveillance?

Surveillance is supported through innovative, digital data collection (including EMR, web tools, and mobile apps) designed to capture health information across the travel timeline, enabling more timely and connected insight into travel-related illnesses and exposures.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary funding opportunity?

The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning it is offered at the agency's discretion under the stated program and funding authority (as described in the notice), rather than being an entitlement or formula-based award.

What does "substantial federal involvement" imply for applicants and awardees?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, it signals active collaboration with CDC during the project period, rather than operating independently with minimal federal interaction.