Deadline-March 22, 2012
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is taking a new approach to solving major development challenges. By partnering with universities and research institutions, both in the United States and abroad, USAID will create and leverage a virtual network of experts who are focused on solving distinct global development challenges. Over time, this network will help USAID identify new solutions and by working together, will save money and improve development results.
The Agency’s academic partners have predominantly focused on either program implementation, or capacity-building through domestic and international programs. USAID seeks to build a new relationship that takes advantage of new trends on campuses, including shifts in institutional structures to reflect more international work, multidisciplinary approaches, and the use of new technologies and programming. USAID’s new Higher Education Solutions Network initiative seeks to leverage these trends in order to maximize results for its development programs by working with leading experts to develop transformative approaches, models and ideas that can be broadly shared and implemented.
The intent of this program is to harness the knowledge, research, and creativity found on higher education campuses to further increase the effectiveness and efficiency of USAID’s development programs while reducing the costs over time.
ELIGIBILITY-
- This RFA is issued to ensure that all interested and qualified organizations have a fair opportunity to submit applications for funding.
- Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Universal Identifier: All applicants must be registered in CCR and have a DUNS number unless exempt under 22 CFR 25.100 to be eligible to apply under this RFA. See Section IV.4 and IV.5 of this RFA.
- USAID will not accept applications from individuals. Foreign governments, state and local governments and USG departments and agencies may also not apply for USAID funding under this RFA. All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law. The following types of organizations may apply for funding under this RFA: See Section IV.4 and IV.5 of RFA
- Colleges and Universities: Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities (including minority serving institutions, community colleges, and women’s colleges) may apply for USAID funding under this RFA. USG and USAID regulations generally treat colleges and universities as NGOs, rather than governmental organizations; hence, both public and private colleges and universities are eligible. Non-U.S. colleges and universities in countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible.
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. private non-profit organizations may apply for USAID funding under this RFA. Foreign government-owned parastatal organizations from countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible.
- For-Profit Organizations: Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. private for-profit organizations may apply for USAID funding under this RFA. Foreign government-owned parastatal organizations from countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible. Potential for-profit applicants should note that, pursuant to ADS 303.5(k) and 22 CFR 226.81, the payment of fee/profit to the prime recipient under grants and cooperative agreements is prohibited. However, if a prime recipient has a (sub)-contract with a for-profit organization for the acquisition of goods or services (i.e., if a buyer-seller relationship is created), fee/profit for the (sub)-contractor is authorized.
- Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs): A local or indigenous PVO, which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO operating in the same foreign country in which it is organized, is eligible to receive funding. Local PVOs are not required to register with USAID. In accordance with 2 CFR 203, a U.S. PVO or an “International PVO,” which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO that performs development work in one or more countries other than the country in which it is domiciled, must be registered with USAID to be eligible to receive funding. For more information on registering with USAID as a PVO, please see: http://idea.usaid.gov/ls/pvo.
- Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs): USAID has published regulations on participation by FBOs in Agency programs. This guide may be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_partnerships/fbci/rule.html
- Public International Organizations (PIOs): Public International Organizations may apply for USAID funding under this RFA. A Public International Organization (PIO) is an international organization composed principally of countries, or any other organization that GC or BFS designates.
New Partners
- USAID encourages applications from organizations that have never received a direct award from USAID. However, resultant awards to these organizations may be significantly delayed if USAID must undertake necessary pre-award reviews of these organizations to determine their “responsibility” (see below). These organizations should take this into account and plan their implementation dates and activities accordingly.
Geographic Restrictions
- Applicants, (including teaming partners and consortium members) regardless of entity type, may not be from a foreign policy restricted country, i.e., Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.
For more information,visit this link and search by funding opportunity number- RFA-OAA-12-000004
