Improving quality of care and health outcomes through innovative systems and technologies in Malawi under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | CDC RFA JG 25 0050

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA JG 25 0050

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Global Health Center and under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement focused on strengthening and modernizing Malawi's HIV health information systems. The opportunity, titled "Improving quality of care and health outcomes through innovative systems and technologies in Malawi under PEPFAR" (Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA JG 25 0050; CFDA: 93.067), is designed to build on prior progress in Malawi by improving the quality, security, and usability of HIV data across the entire health system, from individual facilities up through district and national levels, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes and more effective program management.

The program emphasis is on making Malawi's HIV health information systems more accurate, reliable, timely, and fit for decision-making. Key priorities include strengthening existing data systems rather than replacing them wholesale, improving data security using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approaches, and maintaining and upgrading the underlying infrastructure that keeps these systems functioning. Another major focus is interoperability: ensuring that different digital health platforms can exchange information smoothly and securely, so that data are not trapped in separate silos. The work also supports core operational needs such as patient records management, routine program monitoring, and timely reporting required by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and PEPFAR.

Expected results from the funded activities include measurable improvements in data reliability and accuracy, stronger use of data for reporting and decision-making, and expanded use of a sustainable nationwide HIV health information system capable of producing both aggregate reporting and case-based surveillance outputs. The NOFO also targets governance and implementation improvements for the broader Malawi health information system (MaHIS), with an emphasis on MOH leadership and stewardship. Practical outcomes include better data exchange across systems and improved site-level client identification, including deduplication, which helps reduce double counting, improves continuity of care, and supports more credible national reporting and analysis.

The scope of work is intentionally broad and systems-oriented, covering both technology and the capacity needed to run it long-term. This includes building and maintaining associated hardware and infrastructure, strengthening MOH capacity to manage and support the systems, expanding user support services, and introducing new technologies that are sustainable in Malawi's context. Across all these elements, the overall goal is modernization of a government-owned, secure, integrated platform for data collection and management that can function at every level of the health system while directly enabling improved quality of care and health outcomes for people affected by HIV.

In terms of funding and logistics, CDC anticipates approximately $7,000,000 in total funding for Year 1, contingent on the availability of funds. The posting notes that the "Award Ceiling for Year 1" is listed as $0 (none), which typically indicates that a specific per-award cap is not being set in the notice even though total available funding is estimated. CDC expects to make two awards. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement, meaning CDC anticipates substantial involvement in the implementation and oversight of the work compared with a standard grant. The original application closing date is February 21, 2025, and the opportunity was created on December 5, 2024.

Eligibility is wide and includes US and other governmental entities and a broad range of organizations: state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The awarding agency is listed as Centers for Disease Control - GHC, and the opportunity category is discretionary funding within the health activity category.

• The Centers for Disease Control-GHC in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving quality of care and health outcomes through innovative systems and technologies in Malawi under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.067.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-21. (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 2 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, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.

Apply for CDC RFA JG 25 0050

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