Inform Decision Makers to Act (IDEA) APS | Apply Online

FAQs: USAID Inform Decision Makers to Act (IDEA) Annual Program Statement (APS)

What is the USAID IDEA Annual Program Statement (APS)?

USAID's Inform Decision Makers to Act (IDEA) APS is a discretionary funding opportunity focused on improving health and population policy outcomes by strengthening how evidence is communicated and used by the people who shape decisions. The opportunity emphasizes making health and population data more actionable for policy, advocacy, and public discussion.

What is the main goal of the IDEA program?

The core goal is to build stronger support among key decision makers for effective health and population policies and programs. USAID expects funded activities to help turn information into clear analysis and messaging that can influence policy agendas, implementation choices, and public understanding.

What types of activities does USAID expect applicants to propose?

Based on the APS description, USAID expects activities that improve how health and population evidence is analyzed, translated, and communicated for decision making. The announcement highlights three broad areas: (1) analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating data for policy and advocacy audiences; (2) strengthening media capacity to improve coverage of health and population issues; and (3) expanding dialogue among researchers, implementers, and decision makers through convenings and other connection mechanisms.

What kinds of results are emphasized in the APS?

The APS emphasizes three result areas: improved analysis and dissemination of health and population information for policy/advocacy audiences; stronger media capacity for higher-quality reporting on key health and population topics; and expanded dialogue and exchange between evidence producers (researchers) and evidence users (decision makers and program implementers).

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category listed for the IDEA APS is Health.

How many awards did USAID anticipate making under this APS?

USAID anticipated making up to four cooperative agreements under this APS.

What is the award length (period of performance) for each cooperative agreement?

Each cooperative agreement could last as long as five years.

What is the expected award amount per cooperative agreement?

The APS indicated each award was expected to be as high as $15,000,000, and it also listed an award floor of $15,000,000.

What is the estimated total funding amount across awards?

The APS listed an estimated total funding amount of $50,000,000 across awards.

What type of funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The APS uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument.

What does it mean that the instrument is a cooperative agreement?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect more substantial USAID involvement during implementation than is typical under a standard grant. The APS notes this often includes collaboration on technical direction, coordination, and monitoring.

Who is eligible to apply?

The program was aimed at qualified U.S. nonprofit, non-governmental organizations. The APS specifically referenced nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

Are universities or institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The eligibility description states 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.

Is cost sharing required or recommended?

Applicants were encouraged to include a 20% cost share. This indicates USAID expected applicants to contribute a meaningful portion of project costs through cash or allowable in-kind support.

How much cost share was encouraged?

The APS encouraged a 20% cost share contribution.

What forms of cost share are mentioned as acceptable?

The APS indicates cost share could be provided through cash or allowable in-kind support.

When was the opportunity posted?

The APS was publicly posted on January 19, 2010.

What is the closing date for the APS?

The posting details list an original and current closing date of July 18, 2010.

Was there any change related to concept papers?

Yes. The announcement included an administrative update stating that concept papers originally due on April 19, 2010 at 12:00 pm EDT for round 2 were canceled.

Does the cancellation of the round 2 concept paper deadline change the overall closing date?

Based on the information provided, despite the cancellation notice for the round 2 concept paper deadline, the overall APS listing still reflected a July 18, 2010 closing date at the time of the posting details included in the excerpt.

What kinds of communications capabilities does USAID appear to value for this program?

The APS implies a strong emphasis on research translation, strategic communications, and targeted outreach, since it expects funded activities to turn health and population information into clear analysis and messaging that can influence policy agendas and public understanding.

What does the APS suggest about working with media?

The APS states that projects were expected to strengthen media capacity to deliver higher-quality coverage of key health and population issues. The description suggests possible activities such as journalist training, improving access to credible data sources, developing reporting tools, and fostering relationships between experts and media outlets.

What does the APS suggest about convenings or stakeholder dialogue?

The APS includes a goal to expand dialogue among researchers, program implementers, and decision makers. This points toward policy forums, networks, convenings, and other mechanisms that connect evidence producers with the people who design and run programs.

Who is the listed agency contact?

The listed agency contact for access issues was Alicia Harris (email not included in the excerpt provided).