Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services Program | Apply Online

Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services Program (USAID) - FAQs

1) What is the Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services Program?

It is a USAID request for applications (RFA) for a major, multi-year effort focused on improving agricultural extension and advisory services through global knowledge management and capacity development. The intent is to strengthen how extension systems generate, share, and apply practical agricultural knowledge.

2) What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The main goal is to design and implement a worldwide program that modernizes and strengthens extension and advisory services so that measurable results are produced across multiple countries and/or regions. The opportunity emphasizes scalable approaches, cross-country learning, and systems that move evidence and lessons quickly between programs.

3) What funding category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is listed under the Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition funding category.

4) Who is the funding agency?

The funding agency is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

5) What is the award mechanism?

The award mechanism is a five-year Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement. This structure indicates USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation.

6) What does a Cooperative Agreement imply for implementation?

Because this is a Cooperative Agreement, USAID typically anticipates substantial involvement during implementation. The selected recipient is expected to manage a core global program, with USAID involvement as the effort proceeds.

7) What does "Leader with Associates (LWA)" mean in this context?

LWA refers to a structure in which a lead (Leader) award supports a core global program, and that global program can later be complemented by additional country- or region-specific associate awards. The prime recipient would run the central platform or backbone that can be expanded through future associate awards.

8) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

USAID anticipates making a single award.

9) What is the estimated total funding level?

The estimated total funding level for the opportunity is $9,000,000.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity, reducing the need for applicants to bring non-federal funds.

11) How long is the period of performance?

The opportunity is described as a five-year effort (a five-year Cooperative Agreement).

12) Is this program limited to one country?

No. The opportunity is framed as a global program and explicitly signals an emphasis on results across multiple countries and/or regions rather than being limited to a single location.

13) What types of activities are likely to be included in the program?

Based on the description, likely activities include building systems to capture and disseminate best practices, strengthening advisory service delivery models, improving training and professional development for extension personnel, and supporting the creation or modernization of tools and approaches that help farmers and rural enterprises adopt improved technologies and practices.

14) What is meant by "global knowledge management" in this opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes knowledge management as a way to capture, organize, share, and apply practical agricultural knowledge. The stated focus on cross-country learning suggests creating networks and mechanisms that enable evidence and lessons learned to move quickly between programs and regions.

15) Who is eligible to apply as the prime applicant?

Eligibility is limited to U.S. colleges and universities that meet the definition established under Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended in 2000).

16) Can non-university organizations participate?

Yes, as partners. While the prime applicant must be an eligible U.S. higher education institution, the announcement allows partnering arrangements, including nongovernmental organizations, private and voluntary organizations, and for-profit firms.

17) What is USAID likely looking for in a lead institution?

USAID is seeking one lead institution to design and implement a worldwide program that strengthens extension systems and produces measurable, multi-country or multi-region results. The structure suggests a university-led technical backbone that can coordinate knowledge management and capacity development at a global scale.

18) Why might USAID encourage partnering arrangements?

The solicitation structure suggests the prime university may be complemented by partners with field presence, training capabilities, digital knowledge platforms, monitoring and evaluation capacity, or specialized extension and agribusiness expertise.

19) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USAID WASHINGTON EGAT 10 000003 RFA.

20) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on April 29, 2010, and the closing date was June 16, 2010 (unchanged in the amended notice).

21) Was the opportunity amended?

Yes. Amendment 01 was released.

22) What did Amendment 01 change or clarify?

Amendment 01 clarified the funding level, updated a reference link within the program description, and added a logistical deadline related to applicant engagement for the pre-application conference.

23) Was there a pre-application conference?

Yes. A pre-application conference was scheduled for May 19, 2010.

24) Was there a deadline to confirm attendance for the pre-application conference?

Yes. Interested parties needed to confirm attendance by May 14, 2010.

25) Who is the point of contact for questions or access issues?

The listed point of contact is Anne Sattgast, Agreement Officer at USAID, reachable by phone at 202-712-0338.

26) What kind of results does USAID appear to be seeking?

The description emphasizes measurable results across multiple countries and/or regions, suggesting the program should produce scalable improvements, facilitate cross-country learning, and strengthen extension and advisory systems in ways that can be adopted broadly.

27) What is the overall purpose of this program in plain terms?

In plain terms, it is a university-led global initiative intended to modernize extension and advisory services by improving how practical agricultural know-how is developed, shared, and used, so that farmers and rural enterprises can adopt improved technologies and practices more effectively over a five-year period.