CAREER: Building Next-Generation Epidemic Intelligence: Forecasting, Intervention, and Surveillance

NSF Award Search · 01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $600,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Infectious disease outbreaks pose serious threats to global health, economic stability, and societal well-being. An effective response system needs to answer the following key questions in a timely manner: how will a disease spread, what interventions can control them, and how to monitor populations to enable early warnings? However, current approaches often rely on fragmented or delayed data, such as clinical case reports, incomplete testing coverage, and/or the inability to see how infected people move and interact. These factors make it difficult to combine different sources of information and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. These limitations can delay response efforts and reduce their effectiveness. This project aims to develop next-generation epidemic intelligence systems that improve how public health agencies forecast, manage, and monitor infectious diseases. By enabling earlier detection, more targeted interventions, and better situational awareness, the project will strengthen public health infrastructure, support informed decision-making, and enhance resilience to future outbreaks. The project also contributes to education by training students at multiple levels, engaging K-12 learners, and providing open resources to increase participation in data science and public health. To meet these goals, this project develops a unified, data-driven framework that integrates epidemic forecasting, intervention planning, and surveillance under diverse and evolving data

Key facts

NSF award ID
2543168
Awardee
University of Virginia Main Campus (VA)
SAM.gov UEI
JJG6HU8PA4S5
PI
Chen Chen
Primary program
01003031DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI), CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev
Estimated total
$600,000
Funds obligated
$420,000
Transaction type
Continuing Grant
Period
07/01/2026 → 06/30/2031