Key points
- Each year, ELC provides financial assistance to 65 state, large local, and U.S. territory and affiliate health departments.
- The ELC Program supports laboratory and epidemiologic capacity, health information systems enhancements, and cross-cutting solutions for infectious disease outbreaks.
- ELC awards funds annually based on recipient need, availability and strength of application.
ELC Funding Overview
What is the Purpose of ELC Funding?
Each year, the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) Cooperative Agreement provides financial assistance to 65 state, large local, and U.S. territory and affiliate health departments.
This critical, flexible funding is used to support activities that focus on preventing and responding to infectious disease outbreaks, bolstering laboratory and epidemiologic capacity, and maintaining and enhancing health information systems while fostering cross-cutting solutions to address public health needs.
See the ELC Cooperative Agreement fact sheet for a complete breakdown of FY23 funding by Program and Project.
How are ELC Funds Awarded?
CDC awards funds based on recipient need, strength of application, and the amount of funds available. For annual core funding, ELC recipients must submit applications to request financial assistance. Project Officers and other CDC subject matter experts from various programs and projects will then evaluate applications to ensure proposed activities are feasible and meet requirements outlined in ELC's Guidance.
When urgent needs arise, such as outbreaks, recipients have the ability to request supplemental funding. This method of proving financial assistance is based on recipient need and availability of funds.
In times of emergency, such as COVID-19, ELC will issue funds based on business rules to expedite recipient access to needed financial support. After funds are awarded, ELC works with recipients to finalize workplans and budgets.