Opportunity Information: Apply for APS 612 12 000001
Apply for APS 612 12 000001
- The Malawi USAID Lilongwe in the agriculture education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Malawi Local Capacity Development Initiative" 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 Oct 10, 2012 and posted on May 3, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 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 $20,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Local Organizations
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Opportunity Summary:
The Malawi Local Capacity Development Initiative is a USAID/Malawi funding opportunity that was introduced first as a presolicitation notice under a local Annual Program Statement (APS). In plain terms, the notice was meant to help local organizations plan ahead for an upcoming competition, not to invite proposals immediately. USAID made it clear that, at the time of the notice, it was not accepting applications or unsolicited proposals, would not reimburse any costs incurred by organizations preparing in response to the notice, and was not legally committing to issue the final APS or make awards. Interested groups were instructed to keep monitoring Grants.gov for the formal announcement and any updates.
A central feature of this opportunity is that eligibility is limited to local entities. The notice specifies that only local organizations, firms, and NGOs would be able to apply once the APS was officially released. The opportunity is structured as discretionary assistance, using grants and/or cooperative agreements. It falls under the Agriculture and Education activity categories, and it is associated with CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). No cost share or matching requirement is indicated. Based on the posting details, USAID anticipated making around six awards, with an estimated total funding amount of about $20.5 million. Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $150,000 to a ceiling of $1,500,000, signaling that USAID was looking to fund multiple locally led efforts rather than one large national implementer.
The APS was expected to support at least two program areas in an initial round: agriculture and education. The first program area is Malawi Agriculture Policy Strengthening (MAPS). MAPS is framed around improving sustainable food security by increasing the role and effectiveness of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in agriculture policy dialogue. The idea is that stronger, more capable civil society and private-sector actors can engage more credibly with the Government of Malawi (GoM) and other key stakeholders, helping shape policies and implementation in ways that are more responsive and effective. USAID describes working alongside NSAs, the GoM, other development partners, and the ASWAp Secretariat (linked to Malawi's agricultural sector-wide approach) to raise the profile, capacity, and engagement of these actors in policy development and execution.
MAPS is presented with two main components. The first focuses on building the internal institutional capacity of targeted NSAs so they can advocate effectively. That can include strengthening organizational systems, technical policy skills, communications, and the ability to analyze and present evidence-based recommendations. The second component emphasizes building and formalizing linkages: creating stronger networks among NSAs themselves and improving channels to government decision-makers so advocacy is not isolated, fragmented, or dependent on informal relationships. USAID notes that organizations vary widely in their readiness and sophistication, and that some policy agendas are more local or regional than national, so interventions were expected to be tailored to each participating organization and its constituency. Overall, MAPS centers on capacity building plus coordinated participation in networks that improve access to policy makers and make advocacy more durable and institutionalized.
The second program area is the Strengthening Early Grade Reading for Malawi Children program. This area targets measurable improvements in literacy outcomes in the early primary grades and explicitly welcomes innovations that can scale and deliver broad impact. USAID highlights several levers it is interested in funding: improved teaching and learning materials, increased local capacity to deliver literacy initiatives, better trained teachers equipped to develop students' reading skills, and stronger education data systems to support decision-making, transparency, incentives, and accountability. The underlying message is that early grade reading improvement is not only about textbooks or teacher training in isolation, but about a set of reinforcing inputs that improve classroom practice and system-level accountability.
Within education, USAID outlines three primary objectives. First is improving learning outcomes by boosting teacher effectiveness and strengthening classroom and school management. Second is building the institutional capacity of local organizations working on early grade literacy, consistent with the initiative's broader local capacity development focus. Third is promoting innovative, low-cost, and effective interventions that increase literacy skills for primary students. USAID also signals flexibility in approach, stating it does not prescribe a single model for improving early grade reading and recognizes that gains can come through different pathways, such as strengthening teachers' content knowledge, improving instructional practice, enhancing management capacity, boosting accountability mechanisms, and even improving morale where that translates into better teaching and learning.
To support planning and communication, USAID indicated it would hold a pre-proposal conference on May 15, 2012, with separate sessions for each of the two Round I areas (Agriculture and Education). Interested applicants were required to register in advance via email to OAA_SOLICIT_LILONGWE@usaid.gov, specify which session they intended to attend, and provide names, positions, and full contact details for their representatives. Attendance was limited to two representatives per applicant organization. The notice also hinted that health-related programming might be included later under a separate pre-proposal conference, but health was not part of the Round I conference described here.
In terms of timeline and administrative details, USAID/Malawi anticipated releasing the full APS announcement no later than May 4, 2012, with the funding opportunity number listed as APS 612 12 000001 (and the notice noting it had been previously posted under USAID Zambia). The public record shows key dates including an original and current closing date of April 26, 2013, and an archive date of May 26, 2013, which reflects the lifecycle of the posting on Grants.gov rather than the presolicitation stage itself. For those who had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, USAID provided a point of contact: Joseph Tembo, Acquisition Specialist (jtembo@usaid.gov, phone +265 1 772 245). Additional general information was linked through USAID's Malawi website at www.usaid.gov/mw.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Malawi Local Capacity Development Initiative (USAID/Malawi)
1) What is the Malawi Local Capacity Development Initiative?
It is a USAID/Malawi funding opportunity that was introduced first through a presolicitation notice under a local Annual Program Statement (APS). The purpose of the presolicitation notice was to help local organizations plan for an upcoming competition that USAID expected to announce formally later.
2) Was the presolicitation notice a request for applications or proposals?
No. USAID stated that, at the time of the presolicitation notice, it was not accepting applications or unsolicited proposals.
3) Did USAID commit to issuing the final APS or making awards?
No. USAID made clear the presolicitation notice did not legally commit the agency to issue the final APS or to make any awards.
4) Will USAID reimburse costs for organizations preparing in response to the presolicitation notice?
No. USAID stated it would not reimburse any costs incurred by organizations preparing in response to the presolicitation notice.
5) Where were organizations told to look for the formal announcement and updates?
Interested organizations were instructed to keep monitoring Grants.gov for the formal APS announcement and any updates.
6) Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to local entities. The notice specifies that only local organizations, firms, and NGOs would be able to apply once the APS was officially released.
7) What type of funding instrument would USAID use?
The opportunity is structured as discretionary assistance using grants and/or cooperative agreements.
8) What activity categories does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the Agriculture and Education activity categories.
9) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 98.001, described as USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
10) Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No cost share or matching requirement is indicated in the posting details provided.
11) How many awards did USAID anticipate making and what was the total estimated funding?
USAID anticipated making around six awards, with an estimated total funding amount of about $20.5 million.
12) What was the expected funding range for individual awards?
Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $150,000 to a ceiling of $1,500,000.
13) What program areas were expected to be supported in the initial round?
The APS was expected to support at least two program areas in an initial round: agriculture and education.
14) What is the agriculture program area called and what is its focus?
The agriculture program area is Malawi Agriculture Policy Strengthening (MAPS). It is framed around improving sustainable food security by increasing the role and effectiveness of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in agriculture policy dialogue, so they can engage more credibly with the Government of Malawi (GoM) and other stakeholders.
15) Who does USAID describe working with under MAPS?
USAID describes working alongside NSAs, the Government of Malawi, other development partners, and the ASWAp Secretariat (associated with Malawi's agricultural sector-wide approach).
16) What are the two main components of MAPS?
MAPS is presented with two main components: (1) building the internal institutional capacity of targeted NSAs so they can advocate effectively, and (2) building and formalizing linkages, including stronger networks among NSAs and improved channels to government decision-makers.
17) What kinds of capacity-building activities are envisioned under MAPS?
Examples mentioned include strengthening organizational systems, technical policy skills, communications, and the ability to analyze and present evidence-based recommendations.
18) Does MAPS assume all participating organizations have the same level of readiness?
No. USAID notes that organizations vary widely in readiness and sophistication, and that some policy agendas are more local or regional than national. Interventions were expected to be tailored to each participating organization and its constituency.
19) What is the education program area called and what is its focus?
The education program area is the Strengthening Early Grade Reading for Malawi Children program. It targets measurable improvements in literacy outcomes in the early primary grades and explicitly welcomes innovations that can scale and deliver broad impact.
20) What types of interventions is USAID interested in for early grade reading?
USAID highlights interest in improved teaching and learning materials, increased local capacity to deliver literacy initiatives, better trained teachers equipped to develop students' reading skills, and stronger education data systems to support decision-making, transparency, incentives, and accountability.
21) What are the three primary objectives listed for the education area?
USAID outlines three objectives: (1) improving learning outcomes by boosting teacher effectiveness and strengthening classroom and school management, (2) building the institutional capacity of local organizations working on early grade literacy, and (3) promoting innovative, low-cost, and effective interventions that increase literacy skills for primary students.
22) Does USAID prescribe a single model for improving early grade reading?
No. USAID states it does not prescribe a single model and recognizes that gains can come through different pathways, including strengthening teachers' content knowledge, improving instructional practice, enhancing management capacity, boosting accountability mechanisms, and improving morale where it translates into better teaching and learning.
23) Was a pre-proposal conference planned, and when?
Yes. USAID indicated it would hold a pre-proposal conference on May 15, 2012, with separate sessions for each of the two Round I areas (Agriculture and Education).
24) How were interested applicants required to register for the pre-proposal conference?
Interested applicants were required to register in advance by email to OAA_SOLICIT_LILONGWE@usaid.gov, specify which session they intended to attend, and provide the names, positions, and full contact details for their representatives.
25) Was there a limit on the number of attendees per organization at the pre-proposal conference?
Yes. Attendance was limited to two representatives per applicant organization.
26) Was health programming included in the Round I pre-proposal conference?
No. The notice hinted health-related programming might be included later under a separate pre-proposal conference, but health was not part of the Round I conference described.
27) What was the anticipated release date for the full APS?
USAID/Malawi anticipated releasing the full APS announcement no later than May 4, 2012.
28) What is the funding opportunity number listed for this APS?
The funding opportunity number is listed as APS 612 12 000001.
29) Were any Grants.gov lifecycle dates provided for the posting?
Yes. The public record shows an original and current closing date of April 26, 2013, and an archive date of May 26, 2013. These dates reflect the lifecycle of the posting on Grants.gov rather than the presolicitation stage itself.
30) Who was the point of contact if an organization had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically?
USAID provided Joseph Tembo, Acquisition Specialist, as a point of contact (jtembo@usaid.gov, phone +265 1 772 245).
31) Where was additional general information referenced?
Additional general information was linked through USAID's Malawi website at www.usaid.gov/mw.
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| Capacity Building Grants for Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 003809 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 003809 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 003849 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 003849 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $262,000 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 003871 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 003871 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Aligning and Elevating University Based Low Income Nutrition Education Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 003872 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 003872 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003954 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 003954 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 003955 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 003955 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004068 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004068 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004030 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004030 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $2,800,000 |
| Children, Youth and Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004088 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004088 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004090 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004090 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Capacity Building Grants for Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 004248 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 004248 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 004338 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 004338 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $262,500 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 004337 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 004337 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004414 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004414 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $110,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004413 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004413 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $70,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 004425 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 004425 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 004424 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 004424 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Children, Youth, and Families At Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004490 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004490 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) Apply for USDA CSREES RIGP 002074 Funding Number: USDA CSREES RIGP 002074 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $745,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Apply for USDA CSREES SAECP 002584 Funding Number: USDA CSREES SAECP 002584 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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