Partnership for Enhanced Efforts To Strengthen The Nation’s Healthcare And Public Health Preparedness, Response, And Recovery To Disasters And Other Emergencies | EP HIT 21 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for EP HIT 21 004

Partnership for Enhanced Efforts To Strengthen The Nation's Healthcare And Public Health Preparedness, Response, And Recovery To Disasters And Other Emergencies (Funding Opportunity Number: EP HIT 21 004) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means ASPR expects an active partnership role during the period of performance rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The overall purpose is to strengthen national health security by improving how ASPR works with key public health, healthcare, and emergency management partners before, during, and after disasters and other emergencies, with lessons from the COVID-19 response serving as a central driver for the program's priorities.

The opportunity is grounded in the legal and policy framework created by the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) of 2006 and its later reauthorizations and updates: the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) of 2013 and the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA) of 2019. Together, these laws amended the Public Health Service Act, formalized and strengthened ASPR's role within HHS, expanded authorities related to preparedness and medical countermeasures, and reinforced the expectation of a continuing national strategy for health security (including a quadrennial National Health Security Strategy referenced at 42 U.S.C. 300hh-1). In practical terms, the funding opportunity reflects Congress and HHS intent that preparedness is not only a federal responsibility, but something that must be built and maintained through durable relationships and coordinated operations across the healthcare and public health system.

ASPR is using this program to address specific gaps and operational needs identified during COVID-19, especially areas where stronger partner networks and faster two-way information flow could improve decision-making and response outcomes. The priorities highlighted in the notice focus on four major capability needs. First is improving domestic and international disease surveillance technology, reflecting the need for earlier detection, better situational awareness, and more integrated data to support timely action. Second is the continual assessment of response impacts and gaps, including near-term and longer-term resource needs across human staffing, finances, and material supplies, which speaks to building a clearer picture of what is happening on the ground and what will be needed next. Third is establishing faster, more reliable access to the nation's frontline public health and healthcare partners so that ASPR can both gather real-time operational information and push out timely, accurate guidance and updates. Fourth is enabling systematic sharing of field-tested best practices, emphasizing that effective tactics and solutions developed in one place should be captured and spread quickly so other jurisdictions and organizations can adopt them without having to reinvent them during a crisis.

A central theme running through the opportunity is stakeholder engagement and coordination. ASPR explicitly points to the need to strengthen and enhance relationships so the nation can mount an "all of nation" response, meaning coordinated action that effectively links federal leadership with state and local public health, hospitals and healthcare coalitions, emergency management, and other critical partners. The cooperative agreements anticipated under this funding are intended to operationalize that approach by supporting structured collaboration, improved communications channels, and mechanisms that help ASPR and partners coordinate activities aligned to ASPR's strategic priorities for preparedness, response, and recovery.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity falls under the Disaster Prevention and Relief activity category and is listed under CFDA 93.078. The agency expected to make up to 7 awards, with an award ceiling of $4,000,000 per award. The opportunity was created on September 2, 2021, with an original application closing date of September 22, 2021. Eligibility includes nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and other eligible entities as further clarified in the full announcement's eligibility section. Overall, the grant is aimed at organizations capable of serving as connective infrastructure for preparedness and response: entities that can convene partners, support information sharing, strengthen surveillance and situational awareness, and help translate lessons learned into repeatable practices that improve national readiness for future emergencies.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Partnership for Enhanced Efforts To Strengthen The Nation’s Healthcare And Public Health Preparedness, Response, And Recovery To Disasters And Other Emergencies" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.078.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 02, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 22, 2021 No Explanation. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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