USAID Global Health Security: Strengthening Public Health Systems and Epidemiology Capacity in Partner Countries

The USAID Global Health Security funding call, due July 1, 2026, is a high-urgency opportunity to strengthen public health systems and epidemiology capacity in partner countries. This initiative is part of the U.S. government's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which aims to make the world safer from infectious disease threats. With an estimated $50-100 million in total funding, the call seeks to support projects that enhance a country's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks. The focus is on building sustainable, locally-owned capacities that outlast the project period. Key technical areas include laboratory strengthening, disease surveillance, workforce development, antimicrobial resistance containment, and One Health integration. USAID emphasizes partnerships with local organizations and requires at least 30% of funds to be directed to local entities. The call is open to U.S. and international NGOs, universities, for-profit firms, and other relevant organizations. Proposals must include a clear theory of change, robust monitoring and evaluation plan, and detailed budget. The deadline creates urgency for strategic planning and staff training. GSLI courses in Public Health & Epidemiology, M&E, Financial Management, and other relevant areas can dramatically strengthen an organization's proposal and implementation capacity. This section provides an executive review of the context, including the geopolitical backdrop of rising pandemics and biosecurity concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed gaps in global health security, and this funding aims to address them. Successful applicants will demonstrate not only technical expertise but also a commitment to local empowerment and sustainability. The overview highlights the importance of aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), among others. Organizations that invest in training through GSLI are better positioned to meet the call's ambitious goals. This opportunity is not just about obtaining funding; it is about contributing to a global effort to protect lives and livelihoods. The review also notes that USAID expects gender-responsive and socially inclusive interventions that address the specific needs of vulnerable groups.

This opportunity is designed for a broad range of organizations, including U.S. and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit entities, universities, research institutions, and public international organizations (PIOs). USAID particularly encourages applications from local organizations in partner countries to strengthen local ownership and sustainability. Applicants must have a demonstrated track record in global health security, epidemiology, health systems strengthening, or related fields. Organizations with active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) are eligible. For-profit entities must comply with the 48 CFR Part 31 cost principles. USAID also requires that applicants have no conflict of interest and maintain ethical standards. Organizations must be able to operate in low-resource and often insecure environments, with a minimum of three years of relevant experience. Consortiums are allowed, but a prime applicant must be identified. The eligible recipients include those with established presence in the target geographies (e.g., Africa, Southeast Asia). Local organizations must be legally registered in their country and have the capacity to manage U.S. government grants. The call emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging women-led organizations and those representing marginalized groups. Applicants should also be prepared to conduct a rigorous financial audit and demonstrate robust internal controls. For U.S. organizations, the responsibility lies in transferring technical expertise and resources to local partners.

USAID's global health security priorities focus on building sustainable capacity in partner countries to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. The donor emphasizes the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) targets, including achieving measurable improvements in the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores. Key priorities include: (1) strengthening national laboratory systems and biosecurity; (2) enhancing real-time disease surveillance and reporting; (3) developing a skilled health workforce capable of epidemiological investigations; (4) establishing emergency operations centers; (5) improving antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment; (6) promoting One Health approaches across human, animal, and environmental health; (7) strengthening health information systems (HIS) and data use; (8) ensuring resilient supply chains for diagnostics and countermeasures; (9) fostering community engagement and risk communication; and (10) building governance and financing mechanisms for health security. The donor expects outcomes such as increased national capacity to detect outbreaks within 48 hours, reduced time to respond, and improved compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR). Investment KPIs include percentage of laboratories accredited, number of field epidemiologists trained, and reduction in disease outbreaks. The initiative also prioritizes gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), ensuring interventions reach vulnerable populations. Additionally, USAID seeks to improve coordination between ministries of health, agriculture, and environment. Technical depth requires integration of digital health innovations, such as mobile data collection and AI for predictive analytics. All proposals must align with the U.S. government's 2026 Global Health Security Strategy.

Eligibility is comprehensive and includes a financial audit of organizational capacity, spatial audit of operational presence, and corporate legal audit of governance structures. Organizations must demonstrate at least $5 million in annual operating budget for the past three years, with audited financial statements by a certified public accountant. For U.S. organizations, proof of non-profit status under 501(c)(3) is required. International NGOs must have a current registration with local authorities and a memorandum of understanding with the partner government. For-profit entities must comply with the FAR cost accounting standards. A spatial audit involves proof of operational footprint in the proposed country or region, including office space, staff presence, and community acceptance. For organizations not present, a detailed transition plan for establishing presence is needed. Corporate legal audits require submission of articles of incorporation, bylaws, conflict of interest policies, and whistleblower protections. Organizations must have an active SAM.gov registration and UEI. Additionally, all personnel must adhere to USAID's Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Trafficking policies. For local organizations, a pre-award survey may be conducted to assess technical and managerial capacity. Financial stability is key: no history of bankruptcy or defaults on government grants. Organizations must maintain a debt-to-equity ratio less than 1.5. Insurance coverage for operations in high-risk areas is mandatory. Furthermore, the organization's leadership must not be on the U.S. government's debarred list. The donor requires that at least 30% of the budget be allocated to local partners if the prime is international. Eligibility also demands compliance with environmental guidelines (22 CFR 216).

1. **Strategic Alignment and Course Enrollment** – Begin by aligning your organization's mission with USAID's Global Health Security priorities. Enroll key staff in GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' and 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' courses to strengthen technical expertise in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and results measurement. These courses provide foundational knowledge for designing interventions that meet donor expectations. Additionally, enroll finance and grants management personnel in 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Grants Management' to ensure robust internal controls. Completing these courses will enhance your proposal's credibility and demonstrate capacity to USAID reviewers. 2. **Needs Assessment and Partnership Development** – Conduct a thorough needs assessment in target countries, using GSLI's 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' training to integrate environmental health components. Develop partnerships with local organizations, ministries of health, and academic institutions. Leverage the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to craft a compelling narrative that outlines a clear theory of change, logical framework, and sustainability plan. Ensure that consortium agreements include clear roles, budget shares, and risk-sharing mechanisms. Participate in USAID's pre-solicitation meetings to gather insights. 3. **Proposal Design and Budgeting** – Use the 'Project Management for Development' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses to design detailed implementation plans with realistic timelines, supply chain logistics, and procurement strategies. Develop a comprehensive budget that allocates at least 30% to local partners and includes costs for capacity building. Ensure budget justification is thorough, referencing standard USAID cost categories. Incorporate GSLI's trained staff as key personnel to showcase expertise. Include a monitoring and evaluation framework with baseline, milestones, and targets aligned with GHSA indicators. Leverage 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' training to diversify funding sources if needed. 4. **Compliance, Submission, and Post-Award Planning** – Ensure all organizational registrations are current (SAM.gov, UEI). Use the 'Grants Management' course to prepare compliance documentation, including financial management policies, personnel files, and audit reports. Submit the proposal by the deadline via Grants.gov. After submission, plan for potential pre-award assessments by USAID. Establish a dedicated project management unit trained in GSLI's courses to manage implementation, reporting, and risk mitigation. Continuous professional development through GSLI ensures your team stays updated on USAID regulations and best practices, leading to higher success rates and better program outcomes.