Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 121 15 000001

  • The Ukraine USAID Kiev in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Policy for Ukraine Local Self Governance (PULSE)" 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 Aug 20, 2015 and posted on Aug 20, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 9, 2015 Closing Date and Time for Submission of Applications October 9, 2015, 1600 Hours Local Kyiv Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $8,225,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,225,000.00 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).
  • Eligibility for this award is restricted to Ukrainian entities. Please see Section III of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) for eligibility requirements.
Apply for RFA 121 15 000001

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Opportunity Summary:

The Policy for Ukraine Local Self Governance (PULSE) grant opportunity was a USAID/Ukraine initiative designed to strengthen local governance in Ukraine by deepening democratic practices, improving the overall conditions for community development, and supporting long-term stability. The core aim of PULSE was to help Ukraine move toward a stronger decentralization framework, specifically by supporting the Government of Ukraine in adopting and implementing a coherent, effective decentralization policy. In practical terms, the opportunity centered on making local government more capable and responsive, with the broader expectation that better functioning local institutions would improve public services, increase citizen trust, and support sustainable development at the community level.

This opportunity was offered as a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement, meaning USAID expected to have substantial involvement during implementation rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The funding activity category was identified as local governance (listed under an "Other" category with a clarification field), reinforcing that the program was oriented toward governance systems and public administration rather than a single sector like health or agriculture. The assistance listing (CFDA) associated with the opportunity was 98.001, USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.

USAID anticipated making one award under this solicitation. The estimated total funding amount was $8,225,000, and the ceiling was also set at $8,225,000, indicating the program was structured around a single, sizable implementation mechanism rather than multiple smaller grants. The award floor was listed as $0, which is commonly used in notices to indicate there is no minimum amount guaranteed for an award, even though the funding estimate and ceiling make clear the intended scale. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, so applicants were not required to provide their own funds as a condition of eligibility.

Eligibility was limited specifically to Ukrainian entities. The notice indicated that the detailed eligibility requirements were contained in Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, but the headline restriction was clear: only organizations based in Ukraine could apply. This design choice aligns with the program theme of strengthening local self-governance and building domestic capacity, since restricting eligibility can help ensure that leadership and implementation responsibility remains with local institutions.

Key dates show that the opportunity was posted on August 20, 2015, with the application deadline set for October 9, 2015, at 1600 hours local Kyiv time. The opportunity was later archived on November 8, 2015, which generally signals the competition period had ended and the agency had moved past the submission stage. The issuing office was USAID in Kyiv (Ukraine USAID Kiev), and the listed point of contact for support with accessing the announcement was Marina Orlova, an Acquisition and Assistance Specialist with USAID's Regional Contract Office for Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and Cyprus, located in Kyiv.

FAQs: Policy for Ukraine Local Self Governance (PULSE) - USAID/Ukraine

What is the PULSE grant opportunity?

The Policy for Ukraine Local Self Governance (PULSE) grant opportunity was a USAID/Ukraine initiative focused on strengthening local governance in Ukraine. It was designed to deepen democratic practices, improve conditions for community development, and support long-term stability by making local government more capable and responsive.

What was the main goal of PULSE?

The core aim was to support Ukraine's move toward a stronger decentralization framework by helping the Government of Ukraine adopt and implement a coherent, effective decentralization policy. The broader expectation was that improved local institutions would lead to better public services, higher citizen trust, and more sustainable community development.

What type of award was this opportunity?

This was a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement. Under a Cooperative Agreement, USAID expected to have substantial involvement during implementation rather than only providing funding with minimal engagement.

What program area or activity category did this opportunity fall under?

The funding activity category was identified as local governance (listed under an "Other" category with a clarification field). This indicates the opportunity centered on governance systems and public administration rather than a single technical sector.

What CFDA (assistance listing) number was associated with this opportunity?

The assistance listing (CFDA) associated with the opportunity was 98.001, titled USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.

How many awards did USAID expect to make?

USAID anticipated making one award under this solicitation, indicating a single primary implementing mechanism rather than multiple smaller awards.

How much funding was available?

The estimated total funding amount was $8,225,000, and the funding ceiling was also $8,225,000. This suggests the opportunity was structured around a single award at a substantial scale.

What was the award floor, and what does it mean?

The award floor was listed as $0. In many funding notices, a $0 floor indicates there is no minimum award amount guaranteed, even when the estimate and ceiling show the intended overall scale.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute their own funds as a condition of eligibility.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited specifically to Ukrainian entities. The notice stated that detailed eligibility requirements were contained in Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, but the headline restriction was that only organizations based in Ukraine could apply.

Why did the opportunity restrict eligibility to Ukrainian entities?

Based on the opportunity description, restricting eligibility aligned with the program's theme of strengthening local self-governance and building domestic capacity, helping ensure leadership and implementation responsibility remained with local institutions in Ukraine.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 20, 2015.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was October 9, 2015, at 1600 hours local Kyiv time.

What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?

The opportunity was archived on November 8, 2015. Archiving generally signals the competition period had ended and the agency had moved beyond the submission stage.

Which USAID office issued this opportunity?

The issuing office was USAID in Kyiv (Ukraine USAID Kiev).

Who was the point of contact listed for this opportunity?

The listed point of contact was Marina Orlova, an Acquisition and Assistance Specialist with USAID's Regional Contract Office for Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and Cyprus, located in Kyiv.

What kind of support was the point of contact associated with?

The point of contact was listed for support with accessing the announcement, based on the opportunity description.

What kinds of outcomes was PULSE intended to support?

PULSE was intended to help improve the responsiveness and capability of local government, with expected downstream effects such as improved public services, increased citizen trust, and support for sustainable development at the community level.

What does USAID's "substantial involvement" imply for implementation under this award?

Because the award type was a Cooperative Agreement, USAID expected to play an active role during implementation. This is distinct from situations where an agency primarily funds a project and has limited involvement beyond standard oversight.

Was this opportunity intended for multiple small projects or one large project?

The notice indicated one anticipated award, with the estimated total funding and the ceiling both set at $8,225,000. Taken together, that points to one large implementation mechanism rather than multiple small grants.

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