Initially, concept paper defining the basic information about the project idea and the organization has to be submitted for applying to any of the three stages of the USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures’ Development Innovation Fund. The concept paper should not exceed more than five pages. The Stage 1 applicants only need to submit the concept paper while applicants submitting proposals for Stage 2 and Stage 3 project funding have to submit full applications after their concept papers are reviewed and approved for further processing.
Following information should be included in the concept paper for all stages:
Cover Page/Introduction:
- Name and address of organization
- Type of organization (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, university, etc.)
- Contact point (lead contact name; relevant telephone, and e-mail information). Regional or multi-country applications should provide the name of at least one local partner for each country targeted in the program
- Names of other organizations (federal and non-federal as well as any other USAID offices) to whom you are/have submitted the application and/or are funding the proposed activity
- Signature of authorized representative of the applicant
Technical Information:
- Concise title and objective of proposed activity
- Intended application Stage (Stage 1, Stage 2, or Stage 3)
- Discussion of the objectives, the method of approach, the amount of effort to be employed, the anticipated results
- Analysis of the expected impact during the Stage of funding that is being requested as well as when it scales. Concept papers that provide evidence to support this analysis with specific market segmentation will be looked upon favorably
- Evaluation methodology
Supporting Information:
- Brief biographical descriptions of key project personnel
- Proposed estimated cost
- Brief cost breakdown (e.g., salaries, travel, etc.)
- Proposed amount of the applicant’s financial as well as in-kind participation (clearly identify which resources are cash and which are in-kind and provide information on the nature of the in-kind contributions)
- Proposed amount of prospective or existing partner’s (or partners’) financial as well as in-kind participation
- Proposed duration of the activity
- Brief description of applicant’s, as well as prospective or existing partner’s (or partners’), previous work and experience
- Project risks and description of proposed mitigation
- Gender integration shall be address, see Section G. Other Considerations
- Past performance references
- Full application should contain Budget information/ Standard Form 424
- Cost application
