The St. Jude Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (SJCEIRR) has been developed around the seminal and collaborative work of its primary investigators to integrate global influenza virus research targeting human and animal populations. SJCEIRR provides cutting edge laboratory research and infrastructure to support NIAID’s dual mandate to maintain and grow a robust basic and applied research portfolio and to respond rapidly to new and emerging infectious disease public health threats wherever they may occur. Its program couples the skills of established and junior investigators and builds upon the infrastructure, expertise, partnerships, and experiences of multiple partner institutes domestically and abroad. Importantly, SJCEIRR addresses novel and critical research gaps with samples and data collected from fully developed and functional human and animal cohorts. A particular strength of the SJCEIRR team is the integration into the influenza programs of key international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the World Organization for Animal Health. These ties allow for the rapid assimilation of data to global public health activities.