Evaluation of Clinical Interventions, Surveillance, and Ecological Factors that Influence the Burden of Human Monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) | RFA CK 17 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CK 17 002

This funding opportunity, titled "Evaluation of Clinical Interventions, Surveillance, and Ecological Factors that Influence the Burden of Human Monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)," is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement focused on improving understanding and control of human monkeypox in the DRC. The overall aim is twofold: first, to investigate and describe the environmental and epidemiologic drivers that shape where and how monkeypox spreads; and second, to assess practical clinical and public health intervention strategies that could reduce illness and transmission in real-world settings. In plain terms, the CDC is looking to support work that connects the dots between ecology, human behavior, and health system response, then uses that knowledge to improve detection, prevention, and management of infections.

A central emphasis of the project is strengthening public health interventions that enable faster identification of cases and quicker interruption of transmission. This includes efforts such as developing or refining diagnostic tools that can more rapidly and accurately confirm monkeypox, especially in settings where laboratory capacity may be limited or where specimen transport times are long. It also includes applying improved surveillance methods, meaning better ways to find cases, monitor trends, and recognize outbreaks earlier. The opportunity further highlights evaluation of medical countermeasures, which can include studying how well specific clinical approaches, therapeutics, or other response tools perform when used under field conditions, and determining how they might be deployed most effectively to protect patients and communities.

Another priority area is work involving groups that have frequent contact with animals that may transmit zoonotic diseases. The announcement specifically calls out populations with repeated zoonotic exposure through interactions with wildlife or laboratory animals, particularly in the context of scientific studies. This reflects the reality that monkeypox is a zoonosis, and understanding the animal-human interface, along with the behaviors and occupational practices that increase exposure risk, is essential for prevention. Activities under this theme could reasonably include characterizing patterns of animal contact, identifying ecological conditions associated with spillover, and assessing targeted interventions for higher-risk groups, such as training, protective practices, or surveillance approaches tailored to those settings.

From an administrative standpoint, the award is issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the CDC expects substantial involvement during the project period rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The funding opportunity number is RFA CK 17 002, and it falls under the health activity category with CFDA 93.084. The agency is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The opportunity was created on October 26, 2016, with an original application due date of January 31, 2017, and electronically submitted applications were required by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.

In terms of scale, the opportunity anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) with an award ceiling of $1,000,000. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," indicating that applicants likely included certain organizations beyond standard categories, but the precise allowable applicant types would have been defined in the full eligibility text of the announcement.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted investment in field-relevant research and implementation work in the DRC that can clarify why monkeypox risk is higher in certain places or populations, and then translate those insights into better diagnostics, stronger surveillance, and more effective clinical and public health responses aimed at reducing the burden of disease.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Evaluation of Clinical Interventions, Surveillance, and Ecological Factors that Influence the Burden of Human Monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.084.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 26, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2017 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 500 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RFA CK 17 002

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