Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OAA 13 000003
Apply for RFA OAA 13 000003
- The Agency for International Development in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Feed the Future Food Security Innovation Lab Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet" 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 7, 2013 and posted on Jan 7, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 8, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $13,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $13,700,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Applications in response to this RFA may only be submitted by eligible U.S. colleges and universities as defined under Section 296(d) of Title XII of the FAA.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Feed the Future Food Security Innovation Lab Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA OAA 13 000003) is a USAID grant competition designed to support a long-term research and implementation platform focused on improving sorghum and millet, two staple cereals that are central to food security and resilience in many drought-prone and low-resource regions. It sits within USAID's broader Feed the Future initiative and is categorized under agriculture, with the intent of backing collaborative research that can generate practical, scalable advances tied to overseas development outcomes.
The award structure is centered on a single main grant, described as a "Leader Award," that would run for five years. USAID anticipated making one award in total. The maximum funding level for this Leader Award is USD 13,700,000, and that amount would be provided incrementally over the five-year project period rather than as a single up-front disbursement. Beyond the main Leader Award, the opportunity also references additional project funding through "Associate Awards" that could be issued during the same five-year period; however, USAID set a cap so that the cumulative total of all Associate Awards across those five years would not exceed USD 10,000,000. In practical terms, this signals a hub-and-spoke model where the core Innovation Lab awardee coordinates a broader research network and may work with USAID Missions and partners to bring in associated, complementary awards aligned to local priorities, while staying within the overall ceiling for those add-on funds.
Eligibility is narrow and specifically defined. Applications could only be submitted by eligible U.S. colleges and universities that meet the criteria under Section 296(d) of Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA). In other words, the competition was aimed at U.S. institutions of higher education with a recognized mandate and capacity to carry out international agricultural research, training, and extension-related collaboration. The opportunity explicitly states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which means applicants were not required to commit institutional funds as a condition of eligibility or competitiveness, although applicants in similar programs often still describe leveraged resources, partner contributions, or in-kind support to demonstrate reach and feasibility.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under CFDA 98.001, listed as "USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas." The announcement was posted on January 7, 2013, with an application closing date of March 8, 2013, and it was later archived on April 7, 2013. The estimated total funding and award ceiling both align with the Leader Award maximum of USD 13,700,000, reinforcing that the core competition was for one major, multi-year award.
For applicants or interested parties at the time, USAID provided a general reference link to information on the Feed the Future initiative and listed a point of contact for access issues and questions related to the full announcement: Franklin Cooper, Contracts Specialist, reachable by phone at 202-567-5017 or by email at sorghumandmilletrfa@usaid.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Feed the Future Food Security Innovation Lab Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA OAA 13 000003). It is a USAID grant competition intended to support a long-term research and implementation platform focused on improving sorghum and millet.
What is the program trying to achieve?
The opportunity is designed to back collaborative research that leads to practical, scalable advances tied to overseas development outcomes. The focus is on sorghum and millet as staple cereals central to food security and resilience, particularly in drought-prone and low-resource regions.
Which USAID initiative is this associated with?
The opportunity sits within USAID's broader Feed the Future initiative and is categorized under agriculture.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA OAA 13 000003.
What type of award is being offered?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
How many awards did USAID anticipate making?
USAID anticipated making one award in total.
What is the main award called, and how long does it last?
The main award is described as a "Leader Award" and would run for five years.
What is the maximum funding available for the Leader Award?
The maximum funding level for the Leader Award is USD 13,700,000.
Will the full Leader Award amount be provided up front?
No. The Leader Award amount would be provided incrementally over the five-year project period rather than as a single up-front disbursement.
Are there additional funding opportunities connected to this program besides the Leader Award?
Yes. The opportunity references additional project funding through "Associate Awards" that could be issued during the same five-year period.
How much total funding is available for Associate Awards?
USAID set a cap so that the cumulative total of all Associate Awards across the five-year period would not exceed USD 10,000,000.
How do the Leader Award and Associate Awards relate to each other?
The structure suggests a hub-and-spoke model where the core Innovation Lab awardee coordinates a broader research network and may work with USAID Missions and partners to bring in associated, complementary awards aligned to local priorities, while staying within the overall ceiling for Associate Awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications could only be submitted by eligible U.S. colleges and universities that meet the criteria under Section 296(d) of Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA).
Does the opportunity allow non-university organizations to apply as the lead applicant?
Based on the eligibility language provided, the lead applicant had to be an eligible U.S. college or university meeting Section 296(d) Title XII FAA criteria.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity explicitly states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA is 98.001, listed as "USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas."
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on January 7, 2013.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was March 8, 2013.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on April 7, 2013.
What was the estimated total funding for this competition?
The estimated total funding and the award ceiling align with the Leader Award maximum of USD 13,700,000, indicating the core competition was for one major, multi-year award.
What crops are the focus of the funded work?
The funded work is focused on sorghum and millet.
What regions or contexts are emphasized in the description?
The description emphasizes drought-prone and low-resource regions where sorghum and millet are important for food security and resilience.
Where can I find more general information about Feed the Future?
USAID provided a general reference link to information on the Feed the Future initiative (as referenced in the announcement materials).
Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The point of contact listed was Franklin Cooper, Contracts Specialist.
How can the point of contact be reached?
Franklin Cooper could be reached by phone at 202-567-5017 or by email at sorghumandmilletrfa@usaid.gov.
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