Opportunity Information: Apply for APS NUMBER 486 12 016
Apply for APS NUMBER 486 12 016
- The Thailand USAID Bangkok in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Programs to Support Learning Platforms that Facilitate Learning Exchanges for Innovative Food Security Approaches and Technologies in South and Southeast Asia" 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 8, 2012 and posted on Mar 8, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 8, 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 $900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 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).
- Eligible organizations could include, regional institutions, foundations, non governmental organizations, faith based organizations (FBOs), community based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations, private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions and international non governmental organizations, private companies, non profit organizations (or for profit companies willing to forego profits), professional associations and consortiums from the following assistance eligible countries Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. USAID/RDMA has expressed its interest in working with local organizations, and on the basis of that expression of interest, and pursuant to ADS 303.3.6.6(b)(2), competition under the APS will be limited to local organizations.
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Opportunity Summary:
This funding opportunity, APS Number 486 12 016, titled "Programs to Support Learning Platforms that Facilitate Learning Exchanges for Innovative Food Security Approaches and Technologies in South and Southeast Asia," was issued by USAID/RDMA through USAID Bangkok (Thailand). It was posted on March 8, 2012, and closed on September 8, 2012, with an archive date of October 8, 2012. The solicitation is an Annual Program Statement (APS), which typically means USAID is looking for concept papers proposing creative, scalable ideas rather than prescribing one fixed project design. The overall goal is to identify and support a model project that creates practical learning exchange opportunities focused on agriculture and food security, specifically by connecting people, organizations, and associations across South and Southeast Asia so they can share approaches, technologies, and lessons learned.
The program is centered on building or strengthening learning platforms that make learning exchanges possible. In plain terms, applicants were expected to propose ways to help farmers, practitioners, researchers, agribusiness actors, and related associations learn from each other across borders, with an emphasis on innovative food security solutions and agricultural technologies. The underlying idea is that many effective practices already exist in the region, but adoption and adaptation can be slow without structured opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, demonstration, and collaboration. A strong concept under this APS would likely emphasize how knowledge moves from one setting to another, how exchanges are organized (for example, study tours, practitioner networks, technical workshops, mentorship arrangements, demonstration activities, or communities of practice), and how those exchanges would translate into real improvements in agricultural productivity, resilience, nutrition, or market outcomes tied to food security.
USAID anticipated making one award under this solicitation. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation (for instance, coordinating with the recipient on planning, technical direction, monitoring, learning agendas, or partnerships). The activity category is agriculture, and the CFDA listing is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). The estimated total funding is $900,000, with an award ceiling of $900,000 and an award floor of $0, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated. That funding profile suggests USAID was prepared to support a single, relatively focused regional learning platform or exchange mechanism that could demonstrate clear value as a model project.
Eligibility was broad in terms of organizational types but limited in terms of geography and, importantly, limited to local organizations. Eligible applicants could include regional institutions, foundations, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions, international NGOs, private companies, non-profit organizations, for-profit companies willing to forgo profits, professional associations, and consortiums. However, the eligible applicants had to be from the specified assistance-eligible countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. USAID/RDMA explicitly stated an interest in working with local organizations and, citing USAID policy (ADS 303.3.6.6(b)(2)), limited competition under the APS to local organizations. In practice, that means the lead applicant needed to meet USAID's definition of a local entity, even if it partnered with other groups.
The submission focus was on concept papers, meaning applicants were expected to outline an innovative approach, the problem being addressed, the proposed learning exchange platform design, the target participants and countries, and how the project would operate and deliver results. A competitive concept would be expected to show a clear regional rationale (why cross-country exchange is needed), a credible mechanism for identifying and disseminating promising innovations, and a plan for ensuring that learning exchanges lead to adoption or adaptation rather than remaining informational. Since the opportunity describes "model projects," USAID was likely looking for an approach that could be replicated, scaled, or used as a reference for future programming in the region.
For administrative questions or difficulty accessing the announcement, the contact listed was Maria Rosario Arenas, Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, reachable by phone at 6622637453.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official title and APS number of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is APS Number 486 12 016, titled "Programs to Support Learning Platforms that Facilitate Learning Exchanges for Innovative Food Security Approaches and Technologies in South and Southeast Asia."
Which USAID office issued this Annual Program Statement (APS)?
This APS was issued by USAID/RDMA through USAID Bangkok (Thailand).
What type of solicitation is this, and what does that imply for applicants?
This is an Annual Program Statement (APS). An APS typically means USAID is seeking concept papers with creative and scalable approaches, rather than prescribing one fixed project design. Applicants were expected to propose an innovative model for learning exchanges and a platform that makes those exchanges work in practice.
What is the overall goal of the program described in the APS?
The overall goal is to identify and support a model project that creates practical learning exchange opportunities focused on agriculture and food security by connecting people, organizations, and associations across South and Southeast Asia to share approaches, technologies, and lessons learned.
What kinds of activities does USAID expect the project to support?
The program centers on building or strengthening learning platforms that facilitate learning exchanges. Examples of exchange mechanisms described or implied include study tours, practitioner networks, technical workshops, mentorship arrangements, demonstration activities, and communities of practice, all aimed at accelerating adoption and adaptation of innovative food security approaches and agricultural technologies.
Who are the intended participants or audiences for the learning exchanges?
The APS emphasizes connecting farmers, practitioners, researchers, agribusiness actors, and related associations across borders so they can learn from one another and apply innovative approaches and technologies tied to food security.
What sector or activity area does this opportunity fall under?
The activity category is agriculture, with a focus on food security and agricultural technologies.
What is the funding instrument type, and what does it mean?
The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation, such as coordination on planning, technical direction, monitoring, learning agendas, or partnerships.
How many awards did USAID anticipate making under this APS?
USAID anticipated making one award under this solicitation.
What is the estimated funding amount, and are there award ceilings or floors?
The estimated total funding is $900,000. The award ceiling is $900,000 and the award floor is $0.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
What is the CFDA listing associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA listing is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
Which countries are eligible for applicants under this APS?
Eligible applicants had to be from the specified assistance-eligible countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Is eligibility limited to local organizations?
Yes. Although the eligible organizational types are broad, USAID/RDMA explicitly limited competition under the APS to local organizations and stated an interest in working with local organizations, citing USAID policy (ADS 303.3.6.6(b)(2)). In practice, the lead applicant needed to meet USAID's definition of a local entity.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply (as described in the APS summary)?
Eligible applicants could include regional institutions, foundations, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions, international NGOs, private companies, non-profit organizations, for-profit companies willing to forgo profits, professional associations, and consortiums, provided they are local organizations from the specified eligible countries.
Does the APS allow consortium applications?
Yes. Consortiums are listed among eligible applicant types, with the key condition that competition is limited to local organizations and the lead applicant must meet the local entity requirement.
What was the required application format or submission focus?
The submission focus was on concept papers. Applicants were expected to outline the problem being addressed, the proposed learning exchange platform design, target participants and countries, and how the project would operate and deliver results.
What would a competitive concept paper likely need to demonstrate based on the APS description?
Based on the description, a competitive concept would likely include a clear regional rationale for cross-country exchange, a credible mechanism for identifying and disseminating promising innovations, and a plan to ensure exchanges lead to adoption or adaptation (not just information-sharing). Because the APS references "model projects," it would also likely need to show potential for replication, scaling, or serving as a reference for future programming.
How does the APS define the core idea behind the learning exchanges?
The core idea is that effective practices already exist in the region, but adoption and adaptation can be slow without structured peer-to-peer learning, demonstration, and collaboration. The learning platform is intended to organize and enable those structured opportunities across borders.
When was the opportunity posted, and when did it close?
It was posted on March 8, 2012, and closed on September 8, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date is October 8, 2012.
Who is the listed contact for administrative questions or issues accessing the announcement?
The contact listed is Maria Rosario Arenas, Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist.
What contact phone number is provided in the opportunity summary?
The phone number provided is 6622637453.
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