The grant opportunity Creutzfeldt-Jakob Diseases (CJD): Increasing Educational Support for CJD Families and the Nation (CDC-RFA-CK-25-0144) is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically under the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. This funding aims to enhance educational support for patients and families affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), raise public awareness, and assist with national surveillance for the disease and its variants. CJD is a rare, incurable, and often fatal neurological condition that significantly impacts patients and their caregivers.

The program seeks to address CJD through several key activities. These include developing and distributing fact sheets for patients, families, and healthcare professionals, organizing an annual national conference to foster knowledge exchange between families and researchers, and maintaining a toll-free helpline to provide resources and education to affected individuals. The initiative also aims to support efforts that promote autopsies for suspected CJD cases, which are critical for identifying potential new prion diseases. Public awareness and professional education are emphasized to ensure timely information dissemination and better disease monitoring.

The funding is structured as a cooperative agreement with a total program funding of $500,000 over a five-year period, allocated in annual budgets of $75,000 to $100,000. One award is expected, and applicants must demonstrate their ability to meet program objectives through detailed plans and previous experience. No cost-sharing is required, and funds cannot be used for research, clinical care, furniture, or lobbying activities. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, including state, local, and tribal governments, non-profits, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations. Applicants are limited to one submission per organization and must meet specific responsiveness criteria, such as submitting the application by the March 18, 2025, deadline.

To apply, organizations must be registered with SAM.gov and Grants.gov and maintain active accounts. The application package, including a project narrative and budget, must adhere to specific formatting guidelines. A strong evaluation and performance measurement plan is critical, detailing how data will be collected, analyzed, and used for program improvement. Applicants are also required to submit a work plan linking program activities to expected outcomes.

The review process involves initial screening for responsiveness and a merit-based evaluation. Applications are scored on background and approach (40 points), evaluation and performance measurement (25 points), and organizational capacity (35 points). Final award decisions may consider risk assessments and programmatic needs. Successful applicants will be notified via a Notice of Award (NoA), which outlines funding details and requirements. Post-award responsibilities include regular performance and financial reporting, maintaining compliance with federal regulations, and ongoing collaboration with the CDC.

The program’s timeline includes an application deadline of March 18, 2025, and a project start date of September 1, 2025. This opportunity represents a vital effort to support individuals and families affected by CJD while advancing public health monitoring and education. For further assistance, applicants can contact CDC representatives or access resources through SAM.gov and Grants.gov.