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March 17, 2026

AJPH Supplement - Insights from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant

The American Journal of Public Health will publish a special supplement focused on the Public Health Infrastructure Grant in November 2027.

The Abstract Submission Period Has Closed

Thank you to everyone who took the time to prepare and submit their abstracts for the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) supplemental issue, Insights from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant. We appreciate your interest and the time and effort you invested in sharing your work. Abstract submissions are now closed.

The editors will review the abstracts for fit with the goals of the supplemental issue and AJPH editorial standards. The editors will also aim for an inclusive set of papers representing a diversity of funded jurisdictions and practices implemented under the grant strategies. Decision notifications will be sent to all abstract authors by September 30, 2026.

Authors of invited abstracts will be asked to submit full manuscripts to AJPH by February 26, 2027, via the AJPH online Editorial Manager. Full manuscripts will undergo internal editorial review by AJPH editors and, where appropriate, external peer review as defined by AJPH policy.

Thank you again for your interest in this supplemental issue. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to reviewing your submissions.

Upcoming Webinar: Beyond the Journal Article

Are you looking for ways to share your PHIG experiences, lessons learned, or evaluation findings beyond a traditional peer-reviewed journal article? Join us for Beyond the Journal Article, a webinar designed to help participants communicate public health insights through non-traditional publication venues. Attendees will learn how to identify appropriate publication outlets, tailor messages for different audiences, and use plain language to make findings more accessible and impactful.

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 2:00–3:30 PM ET

Additional information about the webinar can be found on the AJPH-PHIG-Writing Support webpage: AJPH-PHIG-WritingSupport. We encourage PHIG recipients and partners to attend and explore additional opportunities to share their work with broader public health audiences.

Background

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), in collaboration with the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), invites original articles on practitioner experiences and outcomes related to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG). The grant funds 107 state, local, and territorial and freely associated state health departments to help meet critical infrastructure needs and strengthen foundational public health capabilities.

The supplement will highlight the use and impact of the funding, as well as promising and innovative practices, and lessons learned. The goal of this supplement is to elevate actionable lessons for building infrastructure for the broader public health field and inform future infrastructure investments. AJPH seeks submissions from PHIG grant recipients and sub-recipients, federal and national partners and their staff (e.g., training and technical assistance providers, evaluators, and other support staff) that have been funded by the PHIG grant.

AJPH seeks articles that align with one or more of the following grant areas:

Workforce development and capacity building
Foundational capabilities and organizational systems
Public health data modernization, including interoperability and data exchange

The intent of the supplement is to include articles across the range of grant areas and eligible recipients and partners outlined above. Attention to sustainability, financing and scaling of grant efforts is encouraged.

Deadlines and Key Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline: June 30th, 2026. No late submissions will be accepted.
Decision Notifications: September 30th, 2026
Manuscript Submission Deadline: February 26th, 2027
Supplement Closes: August 2027
Journal Publication: November 2027

Article Formats

Articles in the following AJPH formats are welcome:

Full and Brief Research Articles: AJPH encourages quantitative studies using survey data and comparative designs. Qualitative studies can be considered for the Research Article format only if the study uses rigorous methods for design and analysis, includes a sample size that is sufficient to answer the research question(s), and describes the methods and results following appropriate reporting guidelines.
Practice Evaluation (formerly Notes from the Field): This format is appropriate for articles focused on implemented and evaluated interventions that have implications for the practice of public health.
Analytic Essays: This format is appropriate for the critical analysis of public health issues, typically supported with theories and frameworks.
Editorials: This format is appropriate for sharing practice experiences and practitioner perspectives without reporting on research or evaluation findings.

Refer to the AJPH website for more detailed definitions and guidance for these article formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility & Timeline:

Who is eligible to submit an abstract for this supplemental issue? 

The 107 grantees funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant, as well as public health partners, (e.g., T/TA providers, evaluators, practitioners, and public health institutes) that were part of PHIG.

Are organizations that received funding from PHIG grantees and not directly from CDC eligible to submit an abstract for the supplemental issue?

Any organization that received funding from PHIG grantees to complete work under CDC’s Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant are eligible to submit an abstract.

When will authors receive notification about being invited to submit a full manuscript to the supplemental issue?

All abstract submissions will receive decision notifications by September 30, 2026, and full manuscripts are due by February 26th, 2027.

When will the supplemental issue be published?

The supplemental issue will be published in November 2027.

How to determine if your work is a good fit for this journal supplement:

How do I know if my manuscript topic is an appropriate fit for the theme of the supplemental issue? 

We recommend reviewing the call for abstracts and considering the goals and audience for the journal. You may also email PHIGSupplement@nnphi.org with questions concerning fit of your abstract for this supplemental issue.

What if I don’t have extensive evaluation data about my best practice or intervention? 

The Practice Evaluation (formerly Notes from the Field) format is intended for articles that describe the implementation of a public health strategy such as a program, intervention, or grant-funded activity and includes results from a formal evaluation of that effort. However, if your article focuses primarily on practice experiences, perspectives, or lessons learned from implementing PHIG strategies without a formal evaluation component, AJPH has advised that the abstract be submitted as an Opinion Editorial. For more information about this article type, please visit the AJPH website.

How can we ensure our data and evaluation work are rigorous enough for publication?

Applicants are encouraged to review AJPH article types and expectations to determine whether their data and evaluation approach align with publication standards. Submissions should demonstrate a clear methodology, appropriate use of data, and meaningful findings or insights relevant to public health practice. If data and evaluation work are not deemed rigorous enough for the proposed article type (e.g., research article or practice evaluation) but content is publication worthy, Guest Editors may recommend another article type for your submission (e.g., opinion editorial).

Are mixed-methods studies allowed?

Yes. AJPH welcomes a range of methodological approaches, including mixed-methods studies that combine quantitative and qualitative data.

How will submissions be balanced across PHIG focus areas and recipient types?

The supplement aims to reflect the breadth of PHIG work, including representation across the three core areas (workforce, foundational capabilities, and data modernization) as well as different types of recipients and partners. There is no preference for specific recipient types; the goal is to capture a comprehensive picture of PHIG implementation and impact.

Are there any restrictions on language (e.g. DEI)?

There are no restrictions outlined in the Call for Abstracts regarding language such as DEI; This guidance reflects AJPH editorial standards and standard publication practices. AJPH does not place restrictions on language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Are there examples of past supplements we can reference?

Yes, applicants are encouraged to review prior AJPH special supplements, including those commissioned by CDC, to better understand article types, structure, and expectations. You can access a previous AJPH special supplement, The CDC’s Initiative to Address COVID-19 health Disparities Among High Risk and Underserved Populations.

Do abstracts need to align with specific PHIG workplan milestones?

No. Abstracts do not need to be tied to specific workplan milestones, but they should clearly relate to PHIG-supported activities or outcomes.

How are the editors considering practices implemented by recipient health departments versus the national partners funded under PHIG? Is there a preference?

There is no stated preference for abstracts submitted by recipient health departments versus national partners. Submissions from all PHIG-funded entities are encouraged. Within the scoring process, the primary consideration is ensuring a diverse representation of perspectives across recipient types, geographic regions, and populations of focus in order to reflect the breadth and impact of PHIG implementation.

Authorship and Resources for Authors:

I'm a first-time author. What resources, tips, or tools are available to help me write my abstract? 

NNPHI will offer webinars and writing coaching to help authors plan, write, and edit abstracts and invited articles. We will additionally be offering one-on-one writing coaching sessions for authors of accepted abstracts as they begin their manuscript drafting. More information will be provided about manuscript writing coaching after decisions are made on September 30, 2026.

Will a template be provided for abstract submission?

Yes, a structured abstract submission template will be provided to guide applicants. Please review the abstract submission guidelines provided in the link here.

If we submit an abstract, and you see an opportunity to combine/co-author, will the editors make a suggestion?

Opportunities for collaboration may be identified during the review process, and Guest Editors may suggest potential connections where appropriate. However, decisions about how and with whom to collaborate with and invite as co-authors are ultimately up to the submitting organizations.

Are CDC PHIG Project Officers able to match recipients together based on their knowledge of similar work?

You are welcome to discuss potential collaboration or co-authorship opportunities with your CDC Project Officer. They may be able to offer guidance or connect you with others doing similar work. We encourage you to raise these ideas during your regular check-ins or communication touchpoints.

AJPH-PHIG Journal Supplement Logistics and Questions about Prior Publications:

If my abstract is accepted, does that mean my manuscript will be published?

Although an invitation to submit a manuscript is an important step, it does not guarantee publication. Editors tend to invite a higher number of manuscripts than they intend to publish because they expect a number of them to not make it through AJPH’s peer review process.

How many manuscripts will be accepted, and what types of articles are included?

The supplement is expected to include approximately 12 final published manuscripts. However, this number could vary depending on the quality and range of submissions. A variety of article types will be considered (e.g., research articles, analytic essays, and practice-based evaluations), and final decisions on inclusion will be made by AJPH editorial leadership.

Is there a limit on how many abstracts an organization can submit, and how many may be selected for publication?

There is no limit to the number of abstracts an organization may submit. Each abstract will be reviewed independently based on its quality and relevance. While multiple submissions from the same organization may be considered, final selections will take into account overall balance and diversity across topics and recipients/partners.

Does prior dissemination of PHIG work (e.g., success stories or best practice submissions) count as prior publication?

No. Materials such as success stories, reports, or best practice submissions are not considered prior publication for the purposes of this supplement. Only dissemination or publication in other peer-reviewed journals will be considered prior publication. Authors are encouraged to build on existing work and expand it into a manuscript suitable for a peer-reviewed publication.

Does presenting PHIG work at a conference (e.g., submitting or having an abstract accepted) count as prior publication?

No. Presenting your work at a conference, including submitting or having an abstract accepted, is not considered prior publication for the purposes of this supplement. Conference abstracts and presentations are generally permitted under American Journal of Public Health policies. Do not distribute figures, tables or other detailed content during your presentation that you plan to submit for consideration in the supplement. Ideally, your submission to AJPH will also expand on the content you present at a conference. However, once a full manuscript is submitted to AJPH for this supplement, it must not be under consideration by another peer-reviewed journal at the same time.

Will these be open-access publications/articles?

Yes, all articles in the supplement will be open access.

Who do I contact to inquire about the status of a manuscript for the supplemental issue? 

After being invited to submit a full manuscript, send inquiries about the status of manuscripts to PHIGSupplement@nnphi.org

Additional Documents

Contact

For questions or additional information about this supplement, contact: PHIGSupplement@nnphi.org.

____________________________________________________________________________________

This work is supported by funds made available in whole from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Author(s)

Chloe Lake Senior Communications Manager

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