Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 386 14 000002
Apply for RFA 386 14 000002
- The India USAID New Delhi in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM) Program" 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 Mar 11, 2014 and posted on Feb 7, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Local Indian Organizations
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Opportunity Summary:
The Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM) Program is a USAID/India funding opportunity focused on improving environmental outcomes through better forest resources management. Issued by USAID New Delhi, this program is positioned within the broader foreign assistance framework (CFDA 98.001: USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas) and is intended to support practical, on-the-ground innovations that strengthen how forests are managed, conserved, and governed. While the public synopsis directs applicants to the attached Request for Applications (RFA) for full technical and programmatic details, the core intent signaled by the title and activity category is to back initiatives that introduce new approaches, tools, or models that lead to measurable improvements in forest resource management and related environmental results.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant competition using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument. That matters because a cooperative agreement typically implies a more engaged partnership between USAID and the recipient than a standard grant. In practice, that can mean USAID expects to remain actively involved during implementation through collaboration, guidance, approvals of key workplan elements, or joint learning and adaptation. Applicants generally should be prepared for an implementation style that emphasizes coordination with the Agency, strong monitoring and reporting practices, and iterative adjustments based on performance and learning.
The total amount of funding available is estimated at USD 4,000,000, and the award ceiling is also USD 4,000,000, meaning the program could fund one large award up to that amount or multiple awards whose combined value fits within the total funding estimate, depending on how the RFA is structured. The award floor is USD 200,000, which signals USAID is open to proposals that are not necessarily large, as long as they meet the minimum scale and deliver meaningful outputs and outcomes. The synopsis also indicates a cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants should expect that USAID will require the recipient to contribute a portion of project costs (in cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions), and they should plan early to document sources, valuation methods, and tracking systems for those contributions.
Eligibility is limited and targeted. The listing specifies eligible applicants as "Local Indian Organizations," with a note that additional eligibility clarification is provided in the full announcement. This typically suggests the competition is meant to prioritize locally rooted entities (for example, Indian non-profits, community-based organizations, local NGOs, local institutions, or other locally registered entities) that can demonstrate local presence, relevant experience, and the ability to manage donor funds in accordance with USAID requirements. Because the synopsis uses the broad label "Others (see text field...)," the full RFA would be the definitive source for exactly which types of Indian entities qualify and whether there are restrictions related to registration status, governance, prior performance, or geographic scope of operations.
The competitive timeline in the synopsis indicates the opportunity was posted on February 7, 2014, created on March 11, 2014, with an original closing date of March 13, 2014, and a revised (current) closing date of March 20, 2014. That date change suggests USAID extended the submission window, which often happens when agencies want to allow more time for applicant questions, document access, or proposal preparation. For any applicant, the key practical implication is that proposals needed to be completed and submitted by the current closing date listed, and that applicants should always confirm the most recent deadline and any amendments in the official RFA package.
For applicants who could not access the full announcement electronically, the synopsis provides a direct point of contact: Paul Aiyong Seong, Contracting Officer at USAID New Delhi, reachable by phone at 2419 8514 and email at aseong@usaid.gov. In USAID competitions, the Contracting/Agreement Officer (or their designee) is typically the official channel for questions about the solicitation, submission requirements, and administrative compliance, and communications generally need to follow the RFA instructions to ensure fairness and avoid disallowed exchanges.
In short, InFoRM is a USAID/India cooperative agreement opportunity in the environment sector designed to fund innovative approaches to forest resources management, with up to $4 million available, awards ranging from $200,000 to $4 million, a required cost share/match, and eligibility aimed at local Indian organizations. The synopsis is intentionally brief and repeatedly points to the attached RFA as the authoritative source for the program objectives, expected results, geographic focus, evaluation criteria, and required application components.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM) Program (USAID/India)
1) What is the Innovations for Forest Resources Management (InFoRM) Program?
InFoRM is a USAID/India funding opportunity focused on improving environmental outcomes by strengthening forest resources management. It is intended to support practical, on-the-ground innovations that improve how forests are managed, conserved, and governed.
2) Who is issuing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by USAID New Delhi (USAID/India).
3) What is the overall purpose of the funding?
The purpose is to back initiatives that introduce new approaches, tools, or models that lead to measurable improvements in forest resource management and related environmental results.
4) What type of funding mechanism is being used?
This is a discretionary grant competition using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument.
5) What does it mean that the award is a Cooperative Agreement (instead of a standard grant)?
A cooperative agreement typically implies more substantial involvement by USAID during implementation than a standard grant. Based on the synopsis, applicants should expect an engaged partnership that may include coordination with USAID, guidance, approvals of key workplan elements, joint learning, and iterative adjustments based on performance and learning.
6) What is the program area or assistance framework associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity sits within the broader foreign assistance framework and is associated with CFDA 98.001: USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
7) How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The total estimated amount of funding available is USD 4,000,000.
8) What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is USD 4,000,000.
9) What is the minimum award size (award floor)?
The award floor is USD 200,000.
10) Will USAID make one award or multiple awards?
The synopsis indicates a total estimated funding level of USD 4,000,000 and a ceiling of USD 4,000,000. This means USAID could fund one large award up to that amount or multiple awards whose combined value fits within the total estimate, depending on how the full Request for Applications (RFA) is structured.
11) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The synopsis indicates a cost sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should plan to identify sources of cost share (cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions) and be ready to document valuation methods and tracking systems for those contributions.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited and targeted. The listing specifies eligible applicants as "Local Indian Organizations," with a note that additional eligibility clarification is provided in the full announcement.
13) What does "Local Indian Organizations" mean for eligibility?
The synopsis suggests the competition prioritizes locally rooted entities (for example, Indian non-profits, community-based organizations, local NGOs, local institutions, or other locally registered entities) that can demonstrate local presence, relevant experience, and the ability to manage donor funds in accordance with USAID requirements. The full RFA is the definitive source for the exact eligibility rules.
14) Where can applicants find the full technical and programmatic requirements?
The synopsis directs applicants to the attached Request for Applications (RFA) for the full technical and programmatic details, including program objectives, expected results, geographic focus, evaluation criteria, and required application components.
15) What key details are not fully provided in the synopsis?
The synopsis is intentionally brief and points to the RFA for authoritative information on items such as specific program objectives, expected results, geographic focus, evaluation criteria, and the full set of required application components and compliance requirements.
16) What are the important dates listed for this opportunity?
The synopsis states the opportunity was posted on February 7, 2014, created on March 11, 2014, had an original closing date of March 13, 2014, and a revised (current) closing date of March 20, 2014.
17) Why is there both an original and a revised closing date?
The synopsis indicates the submission window was extended from March 13, 2014 to March 20, 2014. Extensions commonly occur to allow more time for applicant questions, document access, or proposal preparation. Applicants are expected to follow the current closing date listed and confirm any amendments in the RFA package.
18) Who should applicants contact if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?
The synopsis provides a point of contact: Paul Aiyong Seong, Contracting Officer at USAID New Delhi, reachable by phone at 2419 8514 and email at aseong@usaid.gov.
19) Who is the official point of contact for questions about the solicitation?
Based on the synopsis, the Contracting/Agreement Officer (or their designee) is the official channel for questions about the solicitation, submission requirements, and administrative compliance. The named contact is Paul Aiyong Seong, Contracting Officer, USAID New Delhi.
20) What kind of implementation approach should applicants expect if selected?
Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, applicants should be prepared for an implementation style that emphasizes coordination with USAID, strong monitoring and reporting practices, and iterative adjustments based on performance and learning.
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