Capacity Building for National Immunization Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region | CDC RFA GH21 2105

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA GH21 2105

The grant opportunity titled "Capacity Building for National Immunization Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region" (Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA GH21-2105) is a CDC cooperative agreement designed to boost the overall strength and day-to-day performance of national immunization programs across countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). The central aim is to help these countries reach major regional vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) targets, especially long-standing global and regional priorities like polio eradication and measles and rubella elimination. In practical terms, the opportunity is focused on reducing illness and deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases while also improving readiness for newer or rapidly evolving threats, explicitly including COVID-19.

A major theme of the opportunity is capacity building across the full prevention-to-response cycle for VPDs. That includes strengthening immunization service delivery so routine and campaign vaccination can reach more people reliably, improving comprehensive VPD surveillance so cases and outbreaks are detected earlier and tracked more accurately, and building the operational ability needed to prepare for, detect, and respond to outbreaks. The intent is not only to increase the number of vaccinations delivered, but also to improve the systems that make immunization programs resilient: the tools, workforce, processes, and data systems that allow countries to sustain performance and react quickly when conditions change.

Another core objective is narrowing immunity gaps by focusing on populations that are unvaccinated or undervaccinated and that face higher risk. The recipient is expected to develop and implement targeted strategies to improve access and coverage among these groups, which can include communities affected by conflict or displacement, populations with limited access to health services, remote or mobile groups, or communities facing barriers like mistrust, affordability constraints, or logistical hurdles. The emphasis on targeted strategies suggests a data-driven approach where program efforts are tailored based on where coverage is lowest and where outbreak risk is highest, rather than relying solely on broad, uniform interventions.

The opportunity also highlights sustainability and longer-term institutional strengthening, not just short-term coverage gains. A key component of that is supporting evidence-based decision-making through National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs), which are country-level bodies that guide immunization policies using scientific evidence and local context. In addition, the work includes strengthening immunization safety (for example, systems that monitor and respond to adverse events following immunization and promote safe vaccination practices) and expanding workforce capacity so immunization programs have trained staff and functional management structures. Together, these elements are meant to help countries maintain progress even when external funding or emergency campaign intensity fluctuates.

Program evaluation and learning are also explicitly built into the award’s purpose. The recipient is expected to advance evaluation to increase immunization program impact by identifying persistent program challenges, testing or adapting approaches, and using evidence to guide immunization policy and operational decisions. This signals an expectation that the cooperative agreement will not only implement activities, but also generate usable information about what works in different EMR contexts, then translate that information into improved program performance.

Although the award is rooted in traditional VPD priorities, it is also framed as directly relevant to COVID-19. The work is described as critical for COVID-19 control and as foundational preparation for coronavirus vaccine introduction, reflecting the need for strong delivery systems, surveillance, and outbreak response capacities that can be leveraged for pandemic vaccination and related response activities. The notice also leaves room for supporting other global health priorities aligned with CDC goals, implying some flexibility to address interconnected public health needs as they arise, as long as they fit within the overall immunization and health security objectives.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under CFDA 93.318, and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument. A cooperative agreement typically means CDC expects substantial involvement or partnership in carrying out the work, rather than a fully hands-off grant. The opportunity is listed as discretionary, with eligibility described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement. The posting shows an expected number of awards of one, indicating CDC anticipated selecting a single recipient to carry out the regional or multi-country scope of work. Key dates provided include a creation date of February 19, 2021, and an original closing date of April 20, 2021, with applications due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the due date. The award ceiling is shown as 0 in the source data, which usually indicates the ceiling was not specified in that particular listing or was provided elsewhere in the full notice rather than in the summary fields.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Capacity Building for National Immunization Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.318.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 19, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2021 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 pm ET on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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