Deadline: 31-Aug-2026
Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PEDs COEs) funding supports the establishment of four specialized centers to strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness and response across the United States. The program aims to improve coordinated pediatric disaster care, expand surge capacity, enhance healthcare workforce readiness, and strengthen health system collaboration during emergencies.
The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is inviting applications to establish four Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PEDs COEs) in the United States. The program provides a total funding pool of $4.8 million to strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness, improve coordinated emergency care for children, and enhance healthcare system capacity during disasters.
About the Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence Program
The Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PEDs COEs) initiative is designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters affecting children. The program supports specialized healthcare centers that can serve as regional leaders in pediatric disaster planning, emergency response, training, and coordination.
The initiative focuses on building sustainable systems that improve pediatric healthcare delivery during emergencies while strengthening partnerships among hospitals, healthcare systems, emergency responders, and public health agencies.
Funding Information
- Estimated total program funding: USD 4,800,000
- Funding will support the establishment of four Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PEDs COEs).
- Funding is intended to strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness and emergency healthcare capabilities across the United States.
Program Objectives
The program supports projects that:
- Improve coordinated pediatric disaster care across healthcare systems.
- Strengthen preparedness for pediatric medical surge events.
- Expand statewide and regional pediatric surge capacity.
- Improve coordination among hospitals, healthcare systems, emergency responders, and public health partners.
- Provide standardized education and training for healthcare professionals.
- Enhance pediatric disaster readiness assessments.
- Improve management of pediatric trauma during emergencies.
- Strengthen preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks affecting children.
- Promote best practices for pediatric emergency response.
- Build resilient healthcare systems capable of protecting children during disasters.
Key Activities Supported
Eligible projects may include:
- Developing pediatric disaster preparedness programs.
- Coordinating regional pediatric emergency response networks.
- Expanding pediatric surge planning and response capacity.
- Delivering standardized disaster preparedness training.
- Conducting pediatric disaster readiness assessments.
- Developing clinical guidance and emergency response protocols.
- Supporting pediatric trauma preparedness initiatives.
- Enhancing infectious disease response planning for children.
- Improving coordination among healthcare providers and emergency management agencies.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- One or more public hospitals.
- One or more private hospitals.
- Corporate health systems.
A corporate health system is defined as an organized and coordinated healthcare network that:
- Links healthcare providers through common ownership or contractual relationships.
- Provides coordinated healthcare services across multiple facilities.
- Is clinically and financially accountable for the populations it serves.
- Has established systems for managing and improving healthcare outcomes.
Why This Program Matters
Children have unique medical needs during disasters that differ significantly from those of adults. Specialized pediatric disaster planning helps healthcare systems respond more effectively during emergencies involving natural disasters, disease outbreaks, mass casualty incidents, or other public health crises.
The Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence will strengthen national preparedness by improving coordination, expanding pediatric expertise, and ensuring healthcare professionals are equipped to deliver high-quality emergency care for children.
How to Apply
Eligible organizations should:
- Confirm they meet the eligibility requirements as a public or private hospital or qualifying corporate health system.
- Review the complete funding announcement and application guidance.
- Develop a project demonstrating how the proposed center will strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness and emergency response.
- Describe plans for improving regional coordination, surge capacity, workforce training, and pediatric disaster readiness.
- Prepare all required application documents and supporting materials.
- Submit the complete application before the specified deadline.
Application Tips
- Clearly demonstrate experience in pediatric healthcare and emergency preparedness.
- Present a strong regional coordination strategy.
- Include measurable outcomes for preparedness and surge capacity improvements.
- Demonstrate partnerships with healthcare providers, emergency management agencies, and public health organizations.
- Explain how training activities will improve long-term pediatric disaster readiness.
- Ensure the proposal aligns closely with all program objectives.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to demonstrate eligibility.
- Providing limited evidence of pediatric disaster expertise.
- Submitting incomplete application materials.
- Presenting unclear implementation or coordination plans.
- Not describing measurable project outcomes.
- Weak collaboration with healthcare and emergency response partners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for this funding?
Eligible applicants include one or more public hospitals, private hospitals, or qualifying corporate health systems in the United States.
How many centers will be funded?
The program will establish four Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence (PEDs COEs).
How much funding is available?
The estimated total program funding available is USD 4.8 million.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects that improve pediatric disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination, surge capacity, healthcare workforce training, trauma preparedness, and infectious disease response.
What is a corporate health system?
A corporate health system is an organized network of healthcare providers operating under common ownership or contractual relationships that delivers coordinated care and is accountable for health outcomes.
Why is pediatric disaster preparedness important?
Children require specialized medical care during emergencies. Dedicated pediatric preparedness improves healthcare quality, emergency response coordination, and survival outcomes during disasters.
What are the expected outcomes?
Expected outcomes include stronger pediatric disaster coordination, expanded surge capacity, improved workforce competency, enhanced disaster readiness, and better pediatric trauma and infectious disease management.
Conclusion
The Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence funding opportunity represents a significant investment in strengthening pediatric emergency preparedness across the United States. By supporting specialized healthcare centers, the program aims to improve coordinated disaster response, expand pediatric surge capacity, enhance professional training, and ensure children receive high-quality care during emergencies and public health crises.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.