USAID Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Capacity Building Cooperative Agreement

The USAID Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Capacity Building Cooperative Agreement is a five-year funding opportunity aimed at strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. This initiative is part of the U.S. government's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The cooperative agreement has a total estimated funding pool of $100 million per year, with individual awards ranging from $5 million to $25 million. The deadline for concept papers is July 15, 2026, with full proposals due later in the year. The award focuses on building sustainable capacities in laboratory systems, disease surveillance, workforce development, emergency operations, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment, and health security governance. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the GHSA 2024 targets and how proposed activities will contribute to improving IHR core capacities. Key performance indicators include the number of field epidemiologists trained, percentage of laboratories with quality assurance systems, and reduction in time from outbreak detection to response initiation. The cooperative agreement emphasizes multisectoral collaboration, community engagement, and gender equality. Organizations are expected to work closely with national ministries of health and local partners to ensure alignment with national health strategies. The funding is structured as cooperative agreements, meaning USAID will provide technical assistance and oversight throughout the project period. Grantees must submit detailed work plans, budgets, and M&E frameworks, and participate in regular performance reviews. For organizations seeking to strengthen their application, GSLI offers a range of professional development courses tailored to the capacity gaps often encountered in global health projects. Courses such as 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)', 'Financial Management for NGOs', and 'Writing Winning Proposals' equip teams with the skills needed to develop competitive proposals and manage awards effectively. By integrating GSLI training into the project design, applicants can enhance their organizational capacity and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. The overview underscores the importance of a strategic, well-prepared approach to securing this transformative funding.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Capacity Building Cooperative Agreement is a five-year funding opportunity aimed at strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. This initiative is part of the U.S. government's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The cooperative agreement has a total estimated funding pool of $100 million per year, with individual awards ranging from $5 million to $25 million. The deadline for concept papers is July 15, 2026, with full proposals due later in the year. The award focuses on building sustainable capacities in laboratory systems, disease surveillance, workforce development, emergency operations, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment, and health security governance. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the GHSA 2024 targets and how proposed activities will contribute to improving IHR core capacities. Key performance indicators include the number of field epidemiologists trained, percentage of laboratories with quality assurance systems, and reduction in time from outbreak detection to response initiation. The cooperative agreement emphasizes multisectoral collaboration, community engagement, and gender equality. Organizations are expected to work closely with national ministries of health and local partners to ensure alignment with national health strategies. The funding is structured as cooperative agreements, meaning USAID will provide technical assistance and oversight throughout the project period. Grantees must submit detailed work plans, budgets, and M&E frameworks, and participate in regular performance reviews. For organizations seeking to strengthen their application, GSLI offers a range of professional development courses tailored to the capacity gaps often encountered in global health projects. Courses such as 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)', 'Financial Management for NGOs', and 'Writing Winning Proposals' equip teams with the skills needed to develop competitive proposals and manage awards effectively. By integrating GSLI training into the project design, applicants can enhance their organizational capacity and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. The overview underscores the importance of a strategic, well-prepared approach to securing this transformative funding.

Who is it For?

This cooperative agreement targets a diverse range of actors, including international NGOs, local civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector entities, and public-private consortia operating in LMICs. Eligible applicants must have a proven track record in global health security, particularly in implementing USAID-funded projects related to pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, or health systems strengthening. Organizations should demonstrate technical expertise in at least two core areas: laboratory diagnostics, epidemiology, emergency response, risk communication, or AMR containment. Geographic focus includes Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, with emphasis on countries with high pandemic potential. Applicants must also show capacity for financial accountability, with experience managing U.S. government grants and adhering to 2 CFR 200 regulations. Priority will be given to organizations with existing in-country presence, established relationships with ministries of health, and ability to mobilize resources rapidly. Local organizations are encouraged to apply as prime recipients or consortium leads, with subcontracting opportunities for smaller entities. The ideal candidate will have a multidisciplinary team comprising public health experts, logistics specialists, and community engagement officers. Additionally, applicants should highlight past performance in building sustainable health systems, including training health workers, strengthening supply chains, and improving data management. A clear theory of change linking activities to IHR core capacities and Global Health Security Agenda targets will strengthen the application. Ultimately, the funding is for entities that can translate high-level policy into grassroots implementation, ensuring no community is left behind in pandemic preparedness.

Priorities

USAID's priorities for this funding focus on advancing global health security through targeted investments in six core areas: (1) laboratory systems that are accurate, accessible, and integrated into national networks; (2) surveillance systems capable of early detection of outbreaks through event-based and indicator-based monitoring; (3) workforce development of a skilled epidemiological workforce with at least one trained field epidemiologist per 200,000 population; (4) emergency operations centers that are functional and interoperable; (5) antimicrobial resistance prevention and control through stewardship and surveillance; and (6) health security governance with multisectoral coordination mechanisms. Key performance indicators include reduction in time from outbreak detection to response initiation, increase in number of laboratories with international accreditation, and percentage of health facilities with infection prevention and control protocols. Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) are cross-cutting priorities, requiring that at least 40% of trained workforce be women and that vulnerable populations are explicitly addressed. Donors also prioritize digital health innovations, such as mobile data collection tools and telemedicine, to enhance real-time response. Budget allocations should reflect a balance between capacity building (70%) and direct service delivery (30%), with clear sustainability plans beyond the award period. Emphasis is placed on leveraging local resources, co-investment from host governments, and alignment with national health strategies. USAID expects grantees to coordinate with WHO, CDC, and other donors to avoid duplication and strengthen collective impact. Proposals must outline how activities will contribute to the Global Health Security Agenda 2024 targets and WHO's 10-year framework for pandemic preparedness. The overall goal is to build resilient health systems that can withstand shocks and protect global health security.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this cooperative agreement is subject to stringent financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits. Financially, applicants must have a minimum operational budget of $500,000 per year for the past three years, demonstrated through audited financial statements. They must show capacity to manage advance payments, cost-sharing, and sub-awards, with a debt-to-equity ratio below 0.5. Spatially, the project must be implemented in one or more eligible countries listed by USAID, with at least 80% of activities conducted in LMICs. Applicants must provide a geographical analysis of target areas, including vulnerability assessments using the INFORM Risk Index. Corporate legal audits require the entity to be legally registered in the country of operation for at least five years, with valid tax clearances and no record of sanctions or debarment. For U.S. organizations, proof of 501(c)(3) status or equivalent is required. Applicants must comply with 2 CFR 200, including procurement standards, conflict of interest policies, and whistleblower protections. Additionally, they must submit a letters of commitment from in-country partners, demonstrating local ownership and technical expertise. A rigorous pre-award survey will assess organizational capacity in eight functional areas: governance, financial management, human resources, IT infrastructure, monitoring and evaluation, safety and security, procurement, and sub-recipient oversight. Organizations with prior USAID funding must have a performance rating of 'satisfactory' or above. Any material changes in legal status or leadership during the application process must be reported. Failure to meet any of these eligibility criteria may result in immediate disqualification. The donor reserves the right to request additional documentation, including a sustainability plan and risk management matrix. All documentation must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. The eligibility review aims to ensure that only capable and trustworthy organizations receive federal funds.

Path to Success

To win this cooperative agreement, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI capacity-building courses. Step 1: Conduct a comprehensive organizational readiness assessment using GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design a robust M&E framework aligned with USAID's indicator requirements. This includes developing a baseline survey, logic model, and performance indicator reference sheets. Step 2: Strengthen financial management systems by enrolling key staff in GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Grants Management' courses. These courses cover 2 CFR 200 compliance, budget justification, cost allocation, and audit readiness. Ensure your organization has an accounting system that tracks expenses by activity and can produce quarterly financial reports within 30 days of quarter end. Step 3: Build technical expertise in core intervention areas through GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' and 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' courses. These courses equip staff with skills in outbreak investigation, infection prevention, and community mobilization. Use this training to design evidence-based interventions that address key drivers of disease transmission, such as poor sanitation and weak surveillance. Step 4: Develop a strong consortium by partnering with local NGOs, research institutions, and government agencies. Use GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course to ensure your procurement plan is efficient and compliant. Establish memoranda of understanding that outline roles, responsibilities, and risk-sharing mechanisms. Step 5: Submit a compelling proposal that clearly articulates your theory of change, scalability, and sustainability. Incorporate lessons from GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to structure your narrative, budget, and appendices effectively. Emphasize your organization's unique value proposition, such as existing in-country presence or past performance in similar projects. Throughout the process, maintain communication with USAID's technical office to ensure alignment with their evolving priorities. After award, use GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to manage activities, timelines, and deliverables effectively. The roadmap ensures your organization is not only eligible but competitive, with enhanced capacity to implement and report on complex health security projects. Ultimately, success hinges on demonstrating a holistic understanding of pandemic preparedness and the ability to translate funding into measurable health outcomes.

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Deadline: 2026-07-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal