Regional Partnerships to Strengthen National Data Capacities for HIV, TB, and Other Pandemic Preparedness and Response under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | CDC RFA GH 23 0045

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the official name of this CDC funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Regional Partnerships to Strengthen National Data Capacities for HIV, TB, and Other Pandemic Preparedness and Response under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA GH 23 0045. CFDA: 93.067.

3) Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

4) What type of award is this?

This opportunity is a cooperative agreement.

5) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates substantial CDC engagement in areas such as planning, implementation support, and technical collaboration. It is not intended to be a hands-off grant where the recipient operates entirely independently.

6) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 17, 2023.

7) What was the original application deadline and time zone?

The original deadline was April 18, 2023, with applications due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of organizations may apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full notice.

9) Where is the program intended to be implemented?

The program is designed to be implemented in PEPFAR-supported countries.

10) What is the overall purpose of this program?

The purpose is to strengthen the data backbone that supports effective responses to HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and other public health threats connected to pandemic preparedness and response.

11) What kind of “capacity” is CDC trying to strengthen?

The focus is on building and reinforcing regional, national, and subnational institutions so they can independently design, operate, maintain, and continuously improve health data systems over time.

12) Is the program focused on short-term analyses or long-term institutional strengthening?

The emphasis is on lasting institutional capacity rather than only producing analyses or running short-term data activities. This includes strengthening governance, workforce skills, operational processes, and technical infrastructure that can be sustained over time.

13) What does “country ownership” mean in this NOFO?

Country ownership is framed as transferring expertise and authority to national and regional entities, so local institutions can lead and sustain data systems as external support decreases.

14) How does the NOFO balance urgent data needs with long-term sustainability?

The notice describes a deliberate balance: supporting activities that address immediate implementation demands (like reporting and outbreak detection) while also building durable, locally controlled systems and institutions.

15) What types of sustainability are highlighted?

The NOFO frames sustainability broadly, including financial, operational, technical, programmatic, and political sustainability.

16) What is meant by financial sustainability in this context?

Financial sustainability refers to the ability of countries and institutions to fund health data systems over time.

17) What is meant by operational sustainability?

Operational sustainability refers to maintaining the processes and staffing needed to keep data systems functioning reliably over time.

18) What is meant by technical sustainability?

Technical sustainability refers to the ability to maintain and upgrade data tools and infrastructure as needs and technologies evolve.

19) What is meant by programmatic sustainability?

Programmatic sustainability refers to embedding data use into ongoing decision-making so data routinely informs program direction and improvements.

20) What is meant by political sustainability?

Political sustainability refers to institutional buy-in and ownership, helping ensure data systems remain supported and prioritized.

21) What technical areas are included in the scope?

The technical scope spans the full data lifecycle and includes survey and surveillance systems, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), advanced data management and analytics, and economic and cost analysis.

22) What kinds of survey and surveillance work does the NOFO mention?

Examples include strengthening routine surveillance, special studies, and sentinel approaches.

23) Does the opportunity include monitoring and evaluation (M&E)?

Yes. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is explicitly included as part of the technical scope.

24) Are advanced analytics like AI or machine learning included?

Yes. The notice specifically calls out machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the advanced analytics space.

25) What kinds of advanced analytics uses are implied in the notice?

The notice signals interest in methods for data integration, prediction, anomaly detection, and decision support, when appropriate and ethically implemented.

26) Does the scope include economic or cost analysis?

Yes. Economic and cost analysis is included to support cost-effectiveness understanding, realistic budgeting for data systems, and national planning and resource allocation.

27) What types of activities are expected under this program?

Expected activities include capacity building and system strengthening as well as hands-on support for collecting, processing, analyzing, and using data.

28) What does “capacity building” look like in this NOFO?

Examples described include workforce development through training, mentorship, and institutional learning.

29) Does the NOFO address data system architecture or interoperability?

Yes. It mentions improving data system architecture and interoperability.

30) What data performance improvements are emphasized?

The NOFO emphasizes strengthening data quality and timeliness so reliable data flows quickly enough to guide action.

31) Are dashboards and reporting workflows part of the expected work?

Yes. The notice mentions creating or refining dashboards and reporting workflows.

32) Does the NOFO emphasize dissemination and use of findings?

Yes. It includes supporting dissemination so findings reach decision-makers and translate into action.

33) What outcomes is CDC emphasizing?

CDC emphasizes a faster, higher-quality public health response driven by reliable data to guide HIV and TB programming and strengthen readiness for other health threats, including emerging outbreaks.

34) How much total funding was anticipated for Year 1?

CDC anticipated approximately $63,000,000 in total fiscal year funding for Year 1, contingent on available funds.

35) How many awards were expected?

The notice indicates an expectation of three awards.

36) Was there an award ceiling (maximum) listed for Year 1?

The notice lists an award ceiling for Year 1 as "$0 (none)," which typically indicates that no maximum cap per award was set in the public-facing summary.

37) If there is no stated award ceiling, how might award sizes be determined?

Based on the summary provided, award sizes may be determined by factors such as the strength of the application, proposed scope, country and regional coverage, and budget reasonableness.

38) What should applicants expect to propose as part of their application?

Applicants would typically propose a detailed workplan and budget aligned to measurable improvements in national and regional data capacity.

39) How important is coordination with CDC and in-country stakeholders?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, close coordination with CDC and in-country stakeholders is implied, including alignment with PEPFAR priorities and national strategies.