Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 391 13 000004
Apply for RFA 391 13 000004
- The Pakistan USAID Islamabad in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pakistan Reading Project" 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 Jan 8, 2013 and posted on Nov 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 15, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $160,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $160,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) For Profit Organizations College Universities Faith Based Organizations (FBOs)
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Opportunity Summary:
The Pakistan Reading Project is a USAID funding opportunity that sought partners capable of working closely with USAID, Pakistani government counterparts, and other donors to significantly improve early grade reading outcomes in Pakistan. The central aim of the project was highly outcome-focused: increase the number of primary school children who can read at a grade-appropriate level, with a stated target of 2.5 million additional students reaching reading proficiency aligned with expected standards for their grade. In practice, the opportunity was designed for organizations that could operate at scale, navigate public education systems, and deliver measurable improvements in literacy.
The project was structured as a five-year cooperative agreement, meaning USAID anticipated substantial involvement during implementation rather than a hands-off grant. The program’s technical scope centered on strengthening reading instruction and reading assessment, while also improving education management within public school systems and low-cost schools. In addition to classroom-level improvements, USAID emphasized the importance of coordination and alignment with other ongoing literacy and education efforts in Pakistan. A specific expectation was to build synergies with a companion USAID-supported activity intended to help reestablish a broader culture of reading, signaling that the effort was not only about instruction and testing, but also about encouraging reading habits and demand for reading materials beyond the classroom.
From a competitive standpoint, USAID planned to make a single award to the applicant offering the highest quality and best value. The estimated total funding and maximum award amount were listed at up to USD 160,000,000, with cost sharing or matching required, which would have favored applicants able to bring additional resources, co-investment, or leveraged support. The eligible applicant pool was broad and included NGOs, PVOs, for-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and faith-based organizations, as well as consortia, indicating that USAID was open to diverse implementers as long as they could demonstrate the necessary qualifications, experience, and capacity to deliver national or large-scale results.
A notable procedural requirement was a mandatory pre-proposal conference. Attendance was required for any organization that wanted its application to be considered, and it was scheduled for December 3, 2012 at the USAID/Thailand facilities in Bangkok at 9:00 AM Bangkok time. Organizations were instructed to RSVP by November 22, 2012 (noon Pakistan time) to shumayun@usaid.gov, with attendance limited to two representatives per organization due to space constraints. This requirement effectively functioned as a gatekeeping step in the application process, ensuring all prospective applicants received the same guidance and clarifications directly from USAID before submitting proposals.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted November 14, 2012 under Funding Opportunity Number RFA 391-13-000004, categorized under Education, and tied to CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). The application closing date was December 15, 2012, and the opportunity later listed an archive date of December 14, 2013. The issuing agency was USAID Pakistan (Islamabad), and the point of contact for access issues and questions was Mohammad (Sohail) Humayun, Acquisition Assistance Specialist, reachable by phone at +92 51 208 1270.
Pakistan Reading Project (USAID) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pakistan Reading Project?
The Pakistan Reading Project was a USAID funding opportunity focused on significantly improving early grade reading outcomes in Pakistan by supporting large-scale, measurable improvements in literacy.
What was the main goal of the project?
The central, outcome-focused goal was to increase the number of primary school children who can read at a grade-appropriate level, with a stated target of 2.5 million additional students reaching reading proficiency aligned with expected standards for their grade.
What type of award was this opportunity?
This opportunity was structured as a five-year cooperative agreement, meaning USAID anticipated substantial involvement during implementation rather than a hands-off grant.
How many awards did USAID plan to make?
USAID planned to make a single award to the applicant offering the highest quality and best value.
How much funding was available?
The estimated total funding and maximum award amount were listed at up to USD 160,000,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, which would favor applicants able to bring additional resources, co-investment, or leveraged support.
Who was eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool was broad and included NGOs, PVOs, for-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and faith-based organizations, as well as consortia.
What kinds of partners was USAID looking for?
USAID sought partners capable of working closely with USAID, Pakistani government counterparts, and other donors, operating at scale, navigating public education systems, and delivering measurable improvements in literacy.
What were the main technical focus areas?
The project emphasized strengthening reading instruction and reading assessment, while also improving education management within public school systems and low-cost schools.
Did USAID expect coordination with other education or literacy efforts?
Yes. USAID emphasized coordination and alignment with other ongoing literacy and education efforts in Pakistan.
Was there an expectation to connect with any other USAID activities?
Yes. A specific expectation was to build synergies with a companion USAID-supported activity intended to help reestablish a broader culture of reading, signaling the effort was also about encouraging reading habits and demand for reading materials beyond the classroom.
Was there a required pre-proposal conference?
Yes. A mandatory pre-proposal conference was a procedural requirement, and attendance was required for any organization that wanted its application to be considered.
When and where was the mandatory pre-proposal conference held?
It was scheduled for December 3, 2012 at the USAID/Thailand facilities in Bangkok at 9:00 AM Bangkok time.
How did organizations register for the pre-proposal conference?
Organizations were instructed to RSVP by November 22, 2012 (noon Pakistan time) by emailing shumayun@usaid.gov.
Was attendance at the conference limited?
Yes. Attendance was limited to two representatives per organization due to space constraints.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was December 15, 2012.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on November 14, 2012.
What was the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number was RFA 391-13-000004.
What program area did this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity was categorized under Education.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was tied to CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
Which USAID office issued this opportunity?
The issuing agency was USAID Pakistan (Islamabad).
What was the archive date for the opportunity listing?
The opportunity later listed an archive date of December 14, 2013.
Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The point of contact was Mohammad (Sohail) Humayun, Acquisition Assistance Specialist.
How could the point of contact be reached?
He was reachable by phone at +92 51 208 1270. The RSVP email address provided for the pre-proposal conference was shumayun@usaid.gov.
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