Partnerships to Enhance Immunization Information Systems (IIS) | CDC RFA IP 24 0079

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA IP 24 0079

The CDC funding opportunity titled "Partnerships to Enhance Immunization Information Systems (IIS)" (Funding Opportunity Number CDC RFA IP 24 0079) is a discretionary cooperative agreement administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). For the first year, CDC anticipates a total of about $3.9 million in available funding to support two awards, contingent on appropriations and the availability of funds. The program is designed to back organizations that can work directly with state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) immunization programs funded through CDC's Immunization and Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, with the overall goal of strengthening the systems that make immunization programs run effectively, improving immunization data quality, and ultimately increasing vaccination coverage.

At its core, the NOFO is focused on achieving practical, lasting improvements in immunization information infrastructure and the way immunization programs use data. The CDC emphasizes sustainable outcomes, meaning applicants are expected to propose strategies that can be implemented in real-world public health settings and maintained over time. The work supported through this award is intended to help jurisdictions modernize and standardize IIS capabilities, improve information exchange, and ensure immunization programs can better assess coverage, identify communities at higher risk of under-vaccination, and respond more effectively during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The NOFO also highlights workforce development, signaling that CDC is not only funding technology improvements but also the human capacity needed to operate, manage, and continuously improve IIS and immunization data practices.

The NOFO lays out several major strategy areas applicants should address. One is advancing technology and standards for immunization, which includes supporting consistent implementation of IIS standards across jurisdictions. Another is engaging and supporting the broader immunization community so jurisdictions can routinely assess and monitor vaccine coverage, identify gaps, and use data to drive action during routine operations and emergency response. A third emphasis is improving immunization data collection and use, which speaks to more complete, timely, accurate, and actionable data that can inform program decisions. Finally, the NOFO explicitly calls for educating and developing the public health immunization workforce, including IIS leadership development through competency building, role standardization, and training approaches tied to real job functions.

The opportunity also points to specific example project types that would fit these priorities. These include helping jurisdictions consistently implement IIS standards, and supporting jurisdictions in leveraging the CDC Immunization Gateway to enable smoother data exchange and improved interoperability between systems. Other example activities include setting up strong communication and engagement mechanisms with the public health immunization community, such as regular communications, support for user groups, and ongoing technical assistance. In addition, the NOFO encourages efforts aimed at strengthening IIS leadership through clear competency frameworks, standard role descriptions, and competency-based training, suggesting CDC is looking for structured, scalable approaches to workforce support rather than ad hoc trainings.

Eligibility is broad across government, education, nonprofit, and other entities, but remains limited to those allowed under the statutory authority and any additional criteria in the notice. The eligible applicant categories listed include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The listing also includes "Others, Unrestricted," indicating the NOFO may allow additional entity types depending on the specific authority and CDC guidance in the full announcement.

Several application requirements are treated as strict compliance items, and failing to meet them results in the application being deemed non-responsive. First, applicants must provide in an appendix at least six examples of technical assistance agreements or charters that have been established with jurisdictions and that support immunization management activities. These samples must be compiled and titled exactly "Technical Assistance Agreements or Charters." The intent here is to show the applicant has real experience formalizing technical assistance relationships with immunization programs and can demonstrate a track record of structured support to jurisdictions. Second, applicants must include an initial evaluation and performance measurement plan that is clearly labeled "Evaluation and Performance Plan" in the required section of the application. This signals CDC expects applicants to define early how they will measure progress, outputs, and outcomes, not after the award is made. Third, applicants must include an organizational chart and CVs for the leadership and staff who will support the proposed strategies and activities. This appendix must be clearly labeled "Organizational Chart and CVs" and be easy to locate, reinforcing that CDC will closely review whether the applicant has the staffing structure, leadership capacity, and subject matter expertise to carry out the work.

Administratively, the opportunity was created on March 14, 2024, with an original closing date of May 15, 2024, and it is cataloged under CFDA 93.185. The award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically indicates the ceiling is not specified in the summary field and applicants should rely on the NOFO details for budget expectations and limits; however, CDC clearly states the anticipated total funding for Year 1 across two awards is approximately $3.9 million. Overall, this opportunity is structured for organizations positioned to serve as national or multi-jurisdiction partners that can deliver technical assistance, coordination, standards support, interoperability improvements, and workforce development to strengthen IIS performance and the public health impact of immunization programs.

• The Centers for Disease Control - NCIRD in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Partnerships to Enhance Immunization Information Systems (IIS)" 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 2024-03-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-15. (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, Others, Unrestricted.

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