The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), has announced a forecasted grant opportunity aimed at modernizing and enhancing the U.S. Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). The VEHSS plays a vital role in monitoring eye health data nationwide, tracking the prevalence of major eye diseases, vision impairments, and the use of eye care services. The objective of this funding opportunity is to streamline and update the existing system to ensure more effective public health surveillance, address gaps in data, and improve data accessibility and analysis. The project aligns with the CDC's broader Data Modernization Initiative, focusing on accelerating data into action and promoting partnerships for better health outcomes.

Visual acuity loss, a significant public health issue in the U.S., affects more than 7 million individuals and is associated with conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and increased mortality risk. Preventable or treatable conditions, including cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, continue to impose an economic burden of over $130 billion annually. Moreover, demographic trends and rising health risks like diabetes are expected to increase the incidence of eye-related diseases in the coming decades. Certain populations, such as African Americans, also face disproportionate risks, with glaucoma being a leading cause of irreversible blindness among this group. The VEHSS seeks to address these disparities by providing data that highlights at-risk populations and guiding public health interventions.

The project will involve refining the current surveillance system, including identifying and closing data gaps, prioritizing the most impactful data sources and indicators, and assessing the relevance of various data points at regular intervals. This process will help ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that the system remains responsive to evolving public health needs. Additionally, the initiative will enhance the VEHSS’s data visualization capabilities and integrate data on social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and healthcare access, to provide more comprehensive insights into vision health trends. The final output will include not only improvements to the existing platform but also technical support for developers, ensuring seamless integration with other CDC surveillance systems.

Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. This wide eligibility encourages a diverse group of stakeholders to participate, promoting innovation in data collection and analysis. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to manage large datasets, offer meaningful insights into eye health trends, and support the CDC's data-sharing goals. Collaboration with key stakeholders, including public health practitioners, researchers, and policy makers, will be an important aspect of the program’s outreach and dissemination efforts.

The CDC anticipates making one award under this opportunity, with total program funding estimated at $1,950,000. The award ceiling is $650,000, but there is no minimum award amount specified, giving flexibility to applicants regarding their proposed scope of work. The cooperative agreement funding mechanism reflects the CDC’s intent to actively collaborate with the awardee throughout the project. No cost-sharing or matching funds are required from applicants, which may encourage a broader range of participants.

The estimated post date for the final funding announcement is January 27, 2025, with applications due by March 28, 2025, no later than 11:59 PM ET. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations early to ensure timely submission. The project’s anticipated start date is September 30, 2025, with the award expected to be announced on August 29, 2025. The project will be monitored closely to align with CDC's evolving priorities, including the removal of low-impact indicators and fostering more robust partnerships to ensure the program's success.

For further details and inquiries, interested parties may contact John D. Omura at 770-488-6339 or via email at ydk8@cdc.gov. This funding opportunity offers a strategic platform to contribute meaningfully to the public health sector by advancing data systems that support vision health and address disparities across different populations.