Enhancing global laboratory systems to safely manage biological risks, deploy diagnostics, and sequence pathogens to improve capacities for global health threat response and detection - The project aims to build safe, resilient, and interconnected national and subnational public health laboratory systems capable of safely managing biological risks, deploying and sustaining high-quality diagnostics, expanding sequencing, bioinformatics, and genomic surveillance, and rapidly detecting and responding to pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. Building on 16 years of implementation experience in more than 80 countries, two previous CDC Cooperative Agreements since 2015, and established partnerships with national institutions, IQLS will apply an integrated, country-led, evidence-to-action approach. Activities will strengthen laboratory systems and services, quality management systems, laboratory workforce capacity, biological risk management, and emergency laboratory preparedness and response. IQLS will support national laboratory system assessments, strategic planning and governance, tiered laboratory networks, specimen referral and transport, diagnostic network optimization, laboratory information systems, and genomic surveillance. The project will advance QMS, EQA, and accreditation readiness; implement competency-based workforce development, GLLP, mentorship, and Training-of-Trainers; improve biological risk assessment and biosafety and biosecurity practices; and strengthen preparedness planning, surge capacity, simulation exercises, and continuity of laboratory services. Implementation will follow a six-step model, Assess, Prioritize, Co-design, Implement, Measure and Adapt, and Institutionalize and Hand Over. Assessment findings will be translated into measurable Plans of Action, with defined responsibilities, timelines, milestones, resources, and performance indicators. Technical assistance will combine embedded and short-term expertise with structured mentorship and progressive transfer of technical and operational ownership to national institutions. Expected outcomes include better identification of laboratory system and technical gaps, more coordinated and standardized laboratory networks, more reliable specimen referral systems, improved diagnostic and genomic surveillance capacity, greater implementation of QMS and EQA, measurable progress toward accreditation, a more competent laboratory workforce, stronger national biological risk management, and increased laboratory readiness and surge capacity for public health emergencies. Over five years, the project will support improved real-time biosurveillance, broader and more reliable diagnostic and specimen referral networks, sustained delivery of high-quality laboratory services, a competent and resilient laboratory workforce, stronger management of biological risks, and improved capacity to recognize and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. Capacities will be institutionalized within national and regional systems to sustain gains beyond CDC funding and enable rapid mobilization during future public health emergencies. Ultimately, the project will enhance countries' ability to detect, characterize, report, and contain health threats at the source, reduce the risk of transnational spread, and protect U.S. and global health security.
