Opportunity Information: Apply for USAID WASHINGTON GRO LMA 08 0002 APS
Apply for USAID WASHINGTON GRO LMA 08 0002 APS
- The Agency for International Development in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2008 APS Hastening Transition to Democracy in Cuba" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 30, 2008 and posted on Jan 30, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 31, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- Private for profit Firms, including public private partnerships through USAID s Global Development Alliance (www.usaid.gov/gda) who understand that it is USAID policy to not award profit under assistance agreements.
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Opportunity Summary:
The "2008 APS Hastening Transition to Democracy in Cuba" was a USAID funding opportunity issued by the Office of the Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean (AA/LAC) to support projects aimed at strengthening independent civil society in Cuba with the broader goal of encouraging a peaceful transition to democracy. The mechanism was an Assistance Program Solicitation (APS) for cooperative agreements, meaning USAID anticipated substantial engagement with awardees during implementation. The solicitation emphasized that funded activities must be carried out in full compliance with U.S. government policies and would focus on providing direct support to Cuban individuals and/or independent Cuban non-governmental organizations rather than to Cuban state institutions.
Programmatically, the APS laid out a set of priority activity areas that all revolve around expanding civic space, improving access to information, and building the capacity of independent actors. A central theme was "breaking the information blockade" by increasing the availability and movement of accurate information about democracy, human rights, and free enterprise to, from, and within Cuba. A notable component of this priority was support for independent, uncensored access to the Internet, including the provision of innovative technologies designed to bypass Cuban government restrictions. Alongside information access, USAID sought proposals that support advocacy inside Cuba through education, training, and equipment, with the aim of promoting democratic rule of law, free market principles, and internationally recognized human rights standards. The APS specifically anchored human rights-related work to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signaling the normative framework applicants were expected to use.
Beyond information and advocacy, the solicitation also prioritized strengthening organizational and political capacity within Cuba. It called for assistance to independent, non-governmental groups involved in political competition, consensus building, and other activities that support representative democratic processes. It also highlighted capacity building for peaceful, independent civil society organizations, professional associations, and democratic political parties, including practical support such as equipment assistance (and training on its use) and technical training intended to help these entities operate effectively and independently. Another distinct emphasis was on sustained dialogue with Cuban human rights activists and other independent groups, with particular attention to Afro-Cuban and other marginalized communities, and a focus on issues likely to be central in any future democratic transition. Finally, the APS included an economic and labor dimension, encouraging efforts that promote the development of a free labor movement and the growth of small, independent enterprises.
On the funding side, USAID estimated total available funding at $20,000,000 and anticipated making up to 20 awards. Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $100,000 to a ceiling of $5,000,000. The program fell under CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which generally lowers barriers to entry for organizations that may not have significant non-federal resources to contribute.
Eligibility was broad and included nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories), private and public institutions of higher education, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as other applicants as described in the announcement. The notice also referenced participation by private for-profit firms and public-private partnerships through USAID's Global Development Alliance, while underscoring a key assistance rule: USAID policy does not allow payment of profit under assistance agreements, even when a for-profit entity is the recipient.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on January 30, 2008, and remained open until December 31, 2008, with an archive date of January 1, 2009. The listed point of contact for access issues and questions was Contract Specialist Chitahka Floore at USAID (phone 202-712-4992, email cfloore@usaid.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2008 APS Hastening Transition to Democracy in Cuba (USAID)
1) What is the "2008 APS Hastening Transition to Democracy in Cuba" opportunity?
It is a USAID funding opportunity issued as an Assistance Program Solicitation (APS) to support projects that strengthen independent civil society in Cuba, with the broader goal of encouraging a peaceful transition to democracy.
2) Which USAID office issued this APS?
The opportunity was issued by USAID's Office of the Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean (AA/LAC).
3) What type of funding mechanism is being used?
The solicitation used an Assistance Program Solicitation (APS) for cooperative agreements.
4) What does it mean that awards are "cooperative agreements"?
USAID anticipated substantial engagement with awardees during implementation, rather than a more hands-off relationship.
5) What is the overall program goal?
The program aims to strengthen independent civil society in Cuba and support conditions that encourage a peaceful transition to democracy.
6) Who or what must funded activities support?
Funded activities were intended to provide direct support to Cuban individuals and/or independent Cuban non-governmental organizations, rather than to Cuban state institutions.
7) Are applicants required to follow specific U.S. government policies?
Yes. The APS emphasized that funded activities must be carried out in full compliance with U.S. government policies.
8) What are the main priority activity areas described in the APS?
The APS priorities revolve around expanding civic space, improving access to information, and building the capacity of independent actors in Cuba. Specific areas include breaking the information blockade, supporting advocacy through education/training/equipment, strengthening organizational and political capacity, sustaining dialogue with human rights activists (including Afro-Cuban and other marginalized communities), and supporting economic and labor-related initiatives.
9) What does "breaking the information blockade" mean in this APS?
It refers to increasing the availability and movement of accurate information about democracy, human rights, and free enterprise to, from, and within Cuba.
10) Does the APS include support for Internet access in Cuba?
Yes. A notable component was support for independent, uncensored access to the Internet, including provision of innovative technologies designed to bypass Cuban government restrictions.
11) What kinds of advocacy-related activities were sought?
The APS sought proposals that support advocacy inside Cuba through education, training, and equipment, promoting democratic rule of law, free market principles, and internationally recognized human rights standards.
12) Which human rights framework is specifically referenced?
Human rights-related work was specifically anchored to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
13) What does the APS say about strengthening political and organizational capacity?
The solicitation called for assistance to independent, non-governmental groups involved in political competition, consensus building, and other activities that support representative democratic processes.
14) What types of capacity-building support are mentioned?
The APS highlighted capacity building for peaceful, independent civil society organizations, professional associations, and democratic political parties, including practical support such as equipment assistance (and training on its use) and technical training to help entities operate effectively and independently.
15) Does the APS prioritize engagement with specific communities?
Yes. It emphasized sustained dialogue with Cuban human rights activists and other independent groups, with particular attention to Afro-Cuban and other marginalized communities.
16) Does the opportunity include an economic or labor component?
Yes. The APS encouraged efforts that promote development of a free labor movement and the growth of small, independent enterprises.
17) How much total funding did USAID estimate would be available under this APS?
USAID estimated total available funding at $20,000,000.
18) How many awards did USAID anticipate making?
USAID anticipated making up to 20 awards.
19) What is the expected size (floor and ceiling) of individual awards?
Individual awards were expected to range from $100,000 (floor) to $5,000,000 (ceiling).
20) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program fell under CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
21) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The APS stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
22) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included: nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), private and public institutions of higher education, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as other applicants as described in the announcement.
23) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply, and can they earn profit under the award?
For-profit organizations could be eligible, and the notice referenced participation by private for-profit firms and public-private partnerships through USAID's Global Development Alliance. However, USAID policy does not allow payment of profit under assistance agreements, even when a for-profit entity is the recipient.
24) When was the opportunity posted, and how long was it open?
The opportunity was posted on January 30, 2008, and remained open until December 31, 2008.
25) What is the archive date for this opportunity?
The archive date listed was January 1, 2009.
26) Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact was Contract Specialist Chitahka Floore at USAID. Phone: 202-712-4992. Email: cfloore@usaid.gov.
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