The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center selected 21 healthcare facilities to receive up to $500,000 each to strengthen their capacity to treat patients with high-consequence infectious diseases.
The facilities span 16 states and territories and comprise the second round of recipients under the National Special Pathogen System Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment and Network Development Award, according to a Sept. 1 news release. The awards are funded by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within HHS.
The 21 facilities join 54 selected earlier this year across 28 states and territories, bringing the total number of award recipients to 75 nationwide. Both rounds draw on the same $37.5 million pool of ASPR funding announced in October 2025.
Funding will support infrastructure enhancements, advanced workforce training and specialized equipment required to meet Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center standards. Level 2 centers are equipped to provide comprehensive inpatient care for the full course of illness for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases, including Ebola virus disease and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
Awardees will also receive technical assistance from NETEC and the Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center network, including training, evaluation tools and expert consultation.
