Strengthening and modernizing Uganda's sustainable public health systems and workforce in data science, informatics, and surveillance to produce timely, accurate, and integrated data for action

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is forecasting a cooperative agreement opportunity aimed at strengthening and modernizing Uganda’s public health systems. This initiative supports a strategic vision led by Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MOH) focused on digital transformation and the development of an integrated, sustainable data infrastructure. The program seeks to address existing gaps in data systems that inform timely and accurate public health decisions, particularly in the context of HIV and related health programs. The anticipated funding aligns with CDC’s broader commitment to global health security and epidemic preparedness, as part of the Global AIDS assistance initiative under Assistance Listing 93.067. This funding opportunity will facilitate the development and integration of multiple health information systems. These include general and targeted surveys, clinical systems such as electronic medical records (EMR), digital registers, clinical and disease surveillance mechanisms, laboratory information systems, and logistics systems for commodities and pharmacy management. The program also includes community-based data collection efforts and human resource management. The overarching goal is to build a resilient and interoperable digital health ecosystem that can be transitioned to local governance over time. In addition to supporting technical improvements, the program emphasizes strengthening workforce capacity in data science, informatics, and surveillance. The cooperative agreement will help ensure the local health workforce is equipped with the tools and skills needed to analyze and use data effectively for decision-making. This capacity-building aspect is essential for fostering sustainable, evidence-driven public health practices in Uganda. Applications will be accepted electronically via Grants.gov, with submissions due no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 13, 2026. Although the forecasted notice currently lacks a formal post date, the estimated application window is expected to open on April 14, 2026. The project start date and award date are both slated for September 30, 2026, aligning with the close of the U.S. fiscal year. The forecast indicates the potential for two awards, with an approximate total program funding of $30 million for the first year, subject to the availability of funds. However, explicit per-award funding ceilings and floors are not currently specified in the forecast. The eligibility criteria for this opportunity are broad and inclusive. Applicants may include nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, educational institutions, tribal organizations, for-profit entities including small businesses, and various local and state governmental units. This wide eligibility aims to maximize engagement from capable stakeholders with the infrastructure and expertise to support Uganda’s health data modernization. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated, and pre-application submissions such as Letters of Intent are not required at this stage. Contact for questions or clarifications is through the CDC’s DGHT NOFOs email inbox at [email protected]. While there is no publicly available PDF of the full announcement at this time, additional information will likely be released when the opportunity moves from forecasted to posted. The opportunity’s recurrence is not explicitly stated, though the structure suggests it may align with annual funding cycles contingent on federal appropriations.