NSPS Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment and Network Development (STAND) Award
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) has launched a second funding opportunity to expand the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Level 2 facility network. This effort supports a more resilient, coordinated, and nationally integrated approach to high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) response.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Purpose
The NSPS STAND Award will enhance national preparedness and surge capacity for special pathogens by strengthening the NSPS Level 2 network through training, infrastructure, workforce development, and operational readiness in the care of patients with a special pathogen.
Why Participate?
Participating in the STAND Award program may enable your facility to:
- Strengthen institutional and regional preparedness and readiness
- Gain national visibility as a special pathogen leader
- Access NETEC training, consultation, and technical support
- Become part of a Community of Practice with other national leaders in HCID response
Role of NSPS Level 2 Facilities
Awarded facilities are expected to:
- Work toward achieving or maintaining NSPS Level 2 minimum capabilities with support from NETEC and the RESPTCs through assessments, training, and technical assistance
- Deliver safe, specialized care for patients with HCIDs for the duration of their illness
- Accept patients from within their HHS region and, when requested, from outside their jurisdiction or outside the U.S.
- Serve as an expert resource during regional or national surge events
- Partner with Level 1 facilities and other healthcare partners in their region
- Participate in a national Community of Practice focused on special pathogen preparedness and response
- Maintain a trained workforce and readiness program, including personal protective equipment (PPE) preparedness
- Demonstrate the capability to care for 1-2 viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) patients and at least 4 airborne pathogen patients
- Maintain a minimum of four airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) with negative pressure capability
- Participate in NETEC-led assessments, training, exercises, and continuous readiness activities
Operational Expectations
Facilities do not need to meet all NSPS Level 2 minimum capabilities at the time of application. Applicants should describe how they will achieve or strengthen these capabilities during the award period. For a complete description of NSPS Level 2 expectations, review the NSPS Level 2 Capabilities Document.
Award funding may be used to support the development or enhancement of Level 2 capabilities, including workforce training, equipment, preparedness activities, and operational readiness improvements.
Awardees are expected to make substantial progress toward operational readiness during the performance period and participate in NETEC-led assessments, training, and technical assistance activities.
Applicants should also describe how they plan to sustain Level 2 capabilities beyond the award period, as sustainability will be considered during the application review process.
Application Resources
The application resources provide applicants with award requirements, program overviews, capability expectations, proposal guidance, preparedness tools, key terminology, financial templates, cost estimates, and a Level 2 hospital resource guide to support accurate planning and submission.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- NSPS STAND Award Statement of Work
- Budget Justification
- R&R Budget
- Required supporting documentation outlined in the RFP
Narrative responses are subject to word limits identified in the application portal and RFP. No specific formatting requirements apply unless otherwise stated.
Letters of support from public health, EMS, and other partners are encouraged, but no specific format is required.
ABOUT THE RFP
Funding at a Glance
- Award amount: $500,000 per facility
- Awards available: Up to 21 healthcare facilities
- Total funding: $10.5 million
- Application deadline: August 3, 2026, at 4 p.m. CT
- Anticipated performance period: September 1, 2026 – June 29, 2027
Funding Considerations
The NSPS Level 2 STAND Award is currently a one-time funding opportunity. All award-funded expenses must be incurred during the performance period, which ends June 29, 2027. Applicants are encouraged to use the NSPS Level 2 Costing Deck and Resource Guide to identify allowable activities and develop budgets that can be executed within the award period.
The $500,000 award amount per facility includes both direct and indirect (F&A) costs. Applicants should use the current NIH salary cap when developing their budgets. For FY 2026 planning purposes, applicants should use the NIH 2025 Salary Cap until updated guidance is issued.
Future sustainment funding has not been confirmed. Facilities are encouraged to consider how Level 2 capabilities will be maintained beyond the award period, as sustainability plans will be considered during the application review process.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are U.S.-based healthcare facilities with:
- Airborne infection isolation rooms
- An onsite emergency department
- Critical care services
- Inpatient care capacity
Both nonprofit and for-profit healthcare facilities may apply.
Facilities located near existing Level 1 or Level 2 facilities are still encouraged to apply. Geographic proximity alone does not determine award selection.
Not eligible:
- Federal healthcare facilities
- Existing Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs)
- Current NSPS STAND Award recipients
- Organizations that do not operate qualifying healthcare facilities
Important: Healthcare facilities that have previously received an NSPS STAND Award are not eligible to receive an additional STAND Award.
Allowable and Restricted Uses of Funding
Award funding may be used to strengthen existing Level 2 capabilities or to help facilities build capabilities needed to achieve Level 2 readiness. Examples include:
- Workforce development and training
- Preparedness planning and exercises
- Equipment and readiness activities
- EMS and partner coordination
- Certain minor facility modifications and infrastructure improvements
Post award selection budgets will be reviewed for appropriateness, and modifications may be requested by NETEC prior to sub-award issuance.
Funds may not be used for:
- Direct patient care or clinical reimbursement
- Direct research costs (though infrastructure to support research is allowable)
- Lobbying or fundraising
- Major construction projects (minor renovations or upgrades, e.g., negative pressure rooms, fixed equipment, may be allowable)
Facilities may use funding to build or strengthen capabilities needed to achieve NSPS Level 2 readiness.
Focus Areas
Award activities should strengthen:
- Standards & Guidance: Implement NSPS-aligned protocols and core functions
- Workforce & Training: Maintain a trained workforce and flexible staffing
- Patient Care Delivery: Ensure high-quality care, surge capacity, and patient movement strategies
- Communication & Coordination: Engage EMS, public health, and the NSPS network
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Track readiness and improve operations in partnership with NSPS regional networks
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed on:
- Facility infrastructure and infection control capacity
- Ability to care for adults, pediatrics, or both patient populations
- Regional and population needs (e.g., proximity to points of entry, high-risk or underserved communities)
- Laboratory and diagnostic access
- Training and workforce development
- Sustainability and long-term readiness
- Capacity to contribute to clinical knowledge and research infrastructure
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Eligibility & Selection
Who is eligible to apply?
Hospitals and academic medical centers in the United States that can provide care for patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with a special pathogen and serve as regional response assets.
Does nonprofit or for-profit status affect eligibility?
Both nonprofit and for-profit hospitals are eligible to apply.
Can primary care associations apply?
No. Applicants must be healthcare facilities capable of meeting NSPS Level 2 expectations.
As a federal organization (e.g., Veterans Affairs); can we apply?
No. Federal healthcare facilities are not eligible.
If multiple hospitals in the same area apply, how will applications be evaluated?
Applications will be evaluated based on multiple factors, including facility capabilities, sustainability, regional needs, and broader network goals.
Will facilities located near existing Level 1 or Level 2 facilities still be considered?
Yes. Geographic proximity alone does not disqualify applicants.
If our health system operates under one CMS Certification Number (CCN), should each hospital apply separately?
Yes. Separate applications should be submitted for facilities with distinct capabilities.
Can facilities apply if they do not currently meet all NSPS Level 2 minimum capabilities?
Yes. Facilities are not required to meet all NSPS Level 2 minimum capabilities at the time of application. Applicants should describe how award funding will be used to develop, strengthen, or achieve Level 2 capabilities during the award period. Facilities that are still building their special pathogen preparedness program are encouraged to apply.
Budget & Financing
Are there salary maximums?
Yes. The current NIH salary cap must be used.
The 2026 NIH amount hasn’t been published; do we use the 2025 rate?
The NIH 2025 Salary Cap should be used for budget planning and documentation.
Can indirect (e.g., F&A) costs be included?
Yes. The $500.000 award total includes both direct and indirect costs.
Do you have budget recommendations for facilities that already meet or are close to meeting Level 2 capabilities and who are pursuing funding to support their existing capability?
Facilities may use award funding to strengthen, maintain, and sustain existing Level 2 capabilities. Examples include education and training, EMS agency collaboration, and required equipment. Please refer to the Level 2 Resource Guide and Costing Info for additional ideas.
What kind of documentation will be required for reimbursement?
Detailed invoices, itemized receipts, and personnel time documentation will be required.
What form will the award take?
Awards will be issued as cost-reimbursable cooperative agreements without automatic carryover.
Can budgets be revised during the award period?
Limited revisions may be permitted for extenuating circumstances.
Can personnel costs, such as a program coordinator salary, be budgeted beyond the award period?
No, all award-funded expenses, including personnel costs, must be incurred during the award period.
Does the cooperative agreement require approval for purchases?
Items included in the approved budget may proceed as proposed. Changes outside the approved budget require approval. lease see the L2 Resource Guide and Costing information for additional assistance.
What happens if fewer facilities are funded than anticipated?
Additional funds will not be redistributed among selected facilities.
Is this federal flow–through funding?
Yes.
Can award funds be used to support staff training and education activities?
Yes. Award funds may be used to support training and education activities, including staff participation in preparedness training, exercises, and competency development. Staff may be compensated for time spent participating in approved training activities; however, bonus payments or incentive payments are not allowable.
Can the funding be used for patient care?
No. Award funds may not be used for direct patient care, treatment costs, or reimbursement for clinical care.
Can the funding be used for research?
No. This award does not provide funding for research activities or direct research costs. However, funds may be used to support infrastructure, systems, and operational capabilities that facilitate research and knowledge sharing.
Is there guidance on the expected costs of achieving Level 2 capabilities?
Yes. Applicants should refer to the NSPS Level 2 Costing Deck and related budgeting resources for estimated costs associated with developing and maintaining Level 2 capabilities.
Application Process
Do narrative responses or letters of support have formatting requirements?
Word limits apply. No specific formatting requirements are required. These limits are noted in the application portal and also in the PDF RFP.
What if we can’t get obtain an EMS or public health support letter?
Applications should still be submitted.
Where can I find the R&R Budget Template?
The standard federal R&R Budget Template is available through the application portal and application resources page.
Why is an R&R Budget Template required if this is not a research award?
The R&R Budget provides the budget overview while the Statement of Work and Budget Justification provide supporting narrative.
Where can applicants find information about award requirements and compliance expectations?
Applicants should review the RFP, including the funding restrictions and award requirements sections, for information regarding programmatic, financial, and compliance expectations associated with the award.
Does self-assessmentoccur before or after the award is granted?
An initial self-assessment using the VHF checklist is required as part of the application.Additional assessments will occur after the award is granted.
A CV is requested for core program personnel in the RFP. What roles should be included?
Please refer to the Request for Proposal, Section 7C for specifics regarding requested roles.
Infrastructure & Laboratory Requirements
What HVAC infrastructure is required?
Applicants must have airborne infection isolation rooms with negative pressure and appropriate ventilation.
Are anterooms required?
No.
Can funding support anteroom construction or installation?
Adapting spaces is allowable; however, any construction costs applied to the award must adhere to the funding guidelines noted in the RFP Section 8 and be incurred during the activity period.
Are specific biosafety laboratory levels required?
No specific biosafety level (BSL) designation is required. More information on BSL can be found here: https://aspr.hhs.gov/S3/Pages/Biosafety-Levels.aspx
Are thin smears required?
No. Molecular or antigen malaria testing is acceptable.
Is onsite laboratory testing required?
Basic laboratory testing should be available onsite. Testing for pathogen specific diagnosis (e.g. Lassa, Ebola, etc.) may be sent to your state public health LRN lab.
What are the waste management requirements?
Applicants should review the NSPS Minimum Capabilities on the NSPS homepage.
Will point-of-care testing void manufacturer warranties?
Since 2014, during the care of VHF patients in the United States, NETEC-affiliated facilities have been able to maintain use and warranty for point-of-care instruments. NSPS Level 2 STAND Award recipients will receive support from NETEC in maintaining instrument warranties during special pathogen response activities.
Can award funds be used for minor modifications (e.g., physically expanding the on-site laboratory space by tearing down a wall to accommodate a door)?
Yes. Minor modifications that support NSPS Level 2 readiness may be allowable. Applicants should review the funding restrictions outlined in the RFP for additional details regarding allowable construction and renovation costs.
Can the award funds be used to support laboratory infrastructure or capability improvements?
Potentially. Laboratory infrastructure and capability improvements that support NSPS Level 2 readiness may be allowable. Budgets will be reviewed on an individual basis, and NETEC does not have standard funding allocation criteria that apply across all facilities. Applicants should review funding restrictions outlined in the RFP.
Operations & Sustainability
When must facilities be fully operational as Level 2 centers?
Awardees are expected to make substantial progress during the performance period.
Will future funding be available?
No future funding has been confirmed.
Must facilities maintain Level 2 capabilities after the funding period ends?
Sustainability plans are part of the evaulation process.
Are there funding opportunities for facilities seeking to maintain Level 3 capabilities in order to become Level 2 facilties in the future?
NETEC does not currently offer a Level 3 funding program.
How will NETEC support awardees?
Support will be provided throughNETEC and the RESPTCs, including training, assessments, and techinical assistance.
Can award funds be used to support a free-standing emergency department serving as a transfer point for a patient being moved to a RESPTC?
No, we would not advocate for using an emergency department as a transfer point during special pathogen response. Regional CONOPs, developed in collaboration with the corresponding RESPTC, can guide you further on how to operationalize transfers.
Send additional questions to award@netec.org
GLOSSARY
- HCID: High-Consequence Infectious Disease
- NSPS: National Special Pathogen System — a tiered U.S. system of care for patients with special pathogens
- NETEC: National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center — the coordinating body of NSPS
- RESPTC: Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (Level 1 facility)
- SPTC: Special Pathogen Treatment Center (Level 2 facility)
