Strengthening DPHLs for Early Detection of Outbreak-Prone Diseases

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) implements the Tuberculosis Implementation Framework Agreement (TIFA). Spanning eight years (2019–2027), this initiative builds on the U.S. Government’s investments in health programming. In 2026, the project is expanding its scope to address additional health priorities under the Global Health Security Strategy. Through direct engagement with local governments, TIFA co-designs Health Commitment Grants (HCGs) and other subawards. These instruments accelerate progress toward national and global health targets, enhance country ownership, and strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response.

TIFA employs a phased, collaborative approach to develop subawards. In coordination with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), we identify national priorities and potential implementing partners. Invited organizations undergo a guided co-design process; once approved, the partner implements activities while JSI/TIFA verifies the completion of key milestones.

In India, the TIFA project is focused on strengthening national health security by enhancing unified action across government sectors. While TIFA’s foundational work involved advancing National TB Elimination Program goals, the project is now launching a new focus on Global Health Security. JSI/TIFA is requesting applications for: "Strengthening District Public Health Laboratories (DPHLs) for Early Detection of Outbreak-Prone Diseases." This initiative contributes to India’s efforts to contain outbreak-prone diseases at their source by optimizing the existing Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) laboratory network. The intervention focuses on transforming District Public Health Laboratories (DPHLs) from passive diagnostic units into proactive surveillance hubs. By strengthening the Level 2 (L2) laboratory tier, the project ensures that clinical samples are converted into actionable "Lab-Confirmed Surveillance Data," reducing reliance on non-specific syndromic reporting.

indicates a required field.

Section I: Contact Details

Organization name

Organization’s registered address

Applicant type:

Indian nongovernmental organization legally registered with FCRA.

International organization legally registered in India.

For-profit organization with mandatory registrations (PAN, TAN, GST number) and fulfilling all statutory criteria to receive foreign funds.

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act number

Goods and Services Tax number, if applicable.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, if available (guidance for creating a UEI number to be provided).

Name and title of point of contact for applicant.

Mailing address of point of contact.

Telephone number of point of contact.

Email address of point of contact.

Confirm email

Name and title of authorized signatory for grant.

Section II: Organizational Eligibility

Note your organization’s ability to meet the following:

The chief executive of the organization is willing to sign an agreement and receive funds from JSI, the Washington-based partner.

Yes

Describe your organization’s recent (last 3 years) experience in strengthening disease surveillance mechanisms and laboratory ecosystems (DPHLs/IPHLs), specifically transitioning from syndromic suspicion to etiologic certainty?

(1,000-character limit)

Describe your recent (last 3 years) experience collaborating with the Government of India health programs (NCDC, NHM, IDSP) at central, state, or district levels, and your experience working with ICMR/ NCDC network labs?

(1,000-character limit)

Section III: Proposal Description

Provide overall strategy for transforming DPHLs from passive diagnostic units into proactive surveillance hubs. Detail the plan to operationalize the Global Epidemic Preparedness and Response Framework to transition from data collection to timely public health action and ensure project gains are documented for state-led scaling?

(3,000-character limit)

Describe the approach to resolving reagent bottlenecks and unvalidated results through a 3-month Diagnostic Buffer Stock, standardized procurement calendars, and the institutionalization of monthly EQAS cycles to build clinician trust?

(3,000-character limit)

Detail your methodology for upskilling lab staff in Trigger-Level Analysis and implementing Sample-to-Case protocols at District Hospital OPDs/IPDs to increase etiologic confirmation for fever, diarrhea, and SARI cases?

(3,000-character limit)

Describe your plan for institutionalizing routine environmental water monitoring in high-risk blocks and implementing specialized internal QC validation for ELISA assays to detect signals before clinical spikes occur?

(2,000-character limit)

Describe your plan and ability to execute a transition strategy that sustains these laboratory surveillance enhancements within the existing state public health system (NHM/IDSP) beyond the 9 month project duration?

(2,000-character limit)

Describe your organization's ability to initiate implementation within 30 days of the award. Highlight key personnel with expertise in Laboratory Quality Systems, Epidemiology, Microbiologist and Health Systems Strengthening who are available for this 9-month initiative?

(1,000-character limit)

Download RFA

Strengthening DPHLs for Early Detection of Outbreak-Prone Diseases (PDF, 665.4 KB)