FY 2013 American Schools and Hospitals Abroad Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the FY 2013 American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program?

The FY 2013 American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program is a USAID funding opportunity intended to strengthen overseas educational and medical institutions that are founded and/or sponsored by U.S. organizations. The program emphasizes practical, durable improvements that help these institutions operate as high-quality education and healthcare hubs.

2) What is the core purpose of the ASHA Program?

The central purpose is to support overseas institutions that (1) deliver the practical benefits of American approaches in education and medicine to foreign nationals and (2) function as visible demonstration and study centers that encourage professional exchange, mutual understanding, and positive relations with the United States.

3) What types of projects is USAID looking for in this solicitation?

USAID is looking for applications that clearly explain how the proposed project will create or enhance educational and medical demonstration centers, study centers, or research facilities in ways that highlight American values, principles, innovation, and ingenuity.

4) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed at U.S. sponsoring organizations (USOs) with formal ties to qualifying overseas institutions (OSIs). Eligible applicant types include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and both private and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education.

5) What is a U.S. sponsoring organization (USO) in this context?

A USO is a U.S.-based organization that has formal ties to an overseas institution and sponsors that overseas institution in a way that aligns with the ASHA Program. The opportunity is specifically oriented toward these U.S. sponsors as applicants.

6) What kinds of overseas institutions (OSIs) are of interest under ASHA?

USAID is interested in supporting several categories of overseas partners, including:

• Secondary schools offering academic and vocational education
• Undergraduate institutions (for example, liberal arts, medicine, nursing, agriculture, and sciences)
• Graduate institutions that train future leaders and expand research capacity (for example, in health sciences, physical sciences, and other professional fields)
• Libraries and centers of excellence that provide open access to information and promote its use for decision-making
• Hospital centers that develop professional leadership, influence standards of care, and provide facility- and community-based healthcare along with medical training and research

7) What does ASHA funding pay for?

ASHA funding is focused on tangible, durable investments rather than routine operations. Funds may be used for two main purposes: (1) procurement of commodities and (2) capital improvements.

8) What counts as "commodity procurement" under this opportunity?

Commodity procurement includes non-expendable items such as equipment, furnishings, library materials, specialized medical or research technology, and educational equipment and furnishings.

9) What counts as "capital improvements" under this opportunity?

Capital improvements are broadly defined and can include constructing permanent structures, making structural improvements, or renovating/rehabilitating existing facilities. The intent is to strengthen long-term physical and technical capacity.

10) Is ASHA funding meant to cover routine operating expenses?

No. The program is designed for tangible, durable investments (commodities and capital improvements) rather than routine operations.

11) Will USAID cover costs of the U.S. sponsoring organization (USO)?

No. A key restriction is that USAID will not cover the costs of the U.S. sponsoring organization itself. Applicants are expected to pay their own direct operating costs and indirect costs from other sources.

12) Can USAID cover any program support or administrative costs?

USAID may fund limited program support costs for the overseas institution, but this support is described as being primarily tied to required audits rather than ongoing administrative or operating expenses.

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

14) If there is no cost share requirement, do applicants still need to show financial strength?

Yes. Even without a cost-sharing requirement, the applicant must demonstrate sustainability and the financial and organizational capacity to sustain the project after the USAID award ends, without relying on additional USAID support.

15) What does USAID mean by "sustainability" for this program?

Based on the solicitation, sustainability means the applicant can continue supporting the overseas institution and the proposed improvements after the award period ends, and that ongoing continuation does not depend on further USAID funding.

16) What funding instruments will USAID use?

The opportunity anticipates using grants and/or cooperative agreements as the funding instruments.

17) Is this opportunity discretionary?

Yes. From an awards and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is classified as discretionary.

18) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

USAID expected to make about 35 awards.

19) What is the minimum and maximum award amount?

Individual award sizes range from a $1 award floor to a $2,000,000 award ceiling.

20) What areas or sectors does this program align with?

The program aligns with education and health funding activity categories.

21) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 98.006 (Foreign Assistance to American Schools and Hospitals Abroad).

22) When was the draft announcement posted and what was the comment window?

The draft announcement posting date was September 7, 2012, and the comment period ran through September 21, 2012.

23) When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed for the opportunity is October 21, 2012.

24) What did USAID request during the draft stage?

During the draft stage, USAID requested consolidated comments and indicated it would provide a consolidated response when issuing the finalized APS.

25) Who is the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement materials?

The listed point of contact is Kerrin Goodspeed, Senior Program Analyst (USAID/DCHA/ASHA).

26) How can the point of contact be reached?

Kerrin Goodspeed can be reached by phone at 202-712-0510.