Influenza Modeling and Forecasting | CDC RFA IP 26 0102

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA IP 26 0102

The Influenza Modeling and Forecasting grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA IP 26 0102) is a CDC-led cooperative agreement intended to expand and strengthen a coordinated network of researchers focused on influenza modeling and forecasting. The overall aim is to improve how CDC uses modeling and forecasting to better understand what is happening during influenza seasons in near real time, anticipate what may happen next, and translate those insights into practical guidance that supports influenza prevention and control. The work is framed around building stronger situational awareness for public health decision-making, advancing the underlying science and methods used in influenza forecasting and modeling, and improving how findings are communicated and shared with partners who rely on timely, clear, and actionable information.

A central emphasis of the NOFO is ensuring that modeling and forecasting outputs are directly useful for prevention and control efforts, not just academically interesting. This includes generating information that can inform strategies designed to reduce influenza-related illness and deaths, especially by helping public health leaders plan interventions and allocate resources. The opportunity also highlights the importance of focusing on populations that face higher risk from influenza or experience lower uptake of, or reduced access to, prevention and control measures. In practice, that focus can shape the kinds of questions researchers prioritize, the data sources they integrate, and the way they evaluate the real-world impact of proposed interventions.

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement from the funding agency compared to a standard grant. In a cooperative agreement, CDC often collaborates with awardees on shared priorities, technical direction, coordination across teams, and dissemination of results so that products align with operational public health needs. This fits the stated goal of building a research network rather than supporting isolated, stand-alone projects, and it signals that funded groups should expect ongoing coordination and partnership with CDC and potentially with other awardees.

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding in the health area and is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, specifically within NCIRD (National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases). The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 93.185. CDC anticipates making about 7 awards under this NOFO. The posting date is May 28, 2026, and the original application closing date is June 29, 2026.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic public-sector and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; public or Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified). The text also notes nonprofit private institutions of higher education as a key eligible group. This broad eligibility aligns with the network-building intent, allowing participation from academic teams, public health agencies, and mission-driven organizations that can contribute technical expertise, operational perspective, data partnerships, or communication capacity.

One detail to note is that the award ceiling is listed as 0 in the provided source data, which usually means the ceiling is either not specified in the summary field or is defined elsewhere in the full announcement. Applicants would typically need to consult the full NOFO for the actual budget guidance, including any limits by year, total project period, or recommended funding ranges.

In summary, this NOFO is designed to expand a CDC-connected community of influenza modelers and forecasters who can produce better forecasts, strengthen methodological foundations, and communicate results effectively to public health decision-makers and partners. The intended end result is better-informed influenza prevention and control strategies that help reduce morbidity and mortality, with explicit attention to groups at higher risk and to equity-related gaps in access to prevention and control measures.

• The Centers for Disease Control - NCIRD in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Influenza Modeling and Forecasting" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.185.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-29. (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 7 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for CDC RFA IP 26 0102

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