Promoting Talent Through Early Education (PROTEEVA) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the PROTEEVA grant opportunity?

Promoting Talent Through Early Education (PROTEEVA) is a USAID/Bangladesh grant opportunity based in Dhaka that funds a school readiness initiative. The activity is designed to help young children transition successfully into primary school while also strengthening the ability of schools and communities to support early learners.

2) Who is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by USAID/Bangladesh (United States Agency for International Development) through its Dhaka-based mission.

3) What type of award is PROTEEVA?

The award is offered as a Cooperative Agreement. This indicates USAID expects to remain actively involved with the recipient during implementation, rather than only providing funds and monitoring results from a distance.

4) What sector does this opportunity fall under?

This opportunity sits in the education sector, with a focus on early childhood development and early grade readiness.

5) Is PROTEEVA connected to any previous USAID programs?

Yes. PROTEEVA is explicitly framed as a follow-on to USAID's earlier Early Learning for School Success (SUCCEED) program. This suggests the new project is intended to build on approaches, lessons learned, and systems established under SUCCEED.

6) What is the overall purpose of PROTEEVA?

The core purpose is twofold: prepare children for school and prepare schools for children. The activity combines child-focused readiness support with systems-focused efforts to strengthen how early learning is delivered and supported.

7) What child-focused activities are described in the opportunity?

The opportunity describes expanding access to early learning opportunities, especially for five-year-olds, by supporting one year of pre-primary education. It also includes after-school educational activities for pre-school and primary school students to reinforce foundational skills beyond the standard school day.

8) Which age group or grade levels are emphasized?

The opportunity highlights five-year-olds as a priority group through one year of pre-primary education. It also mentions after-school educational activities for pre-school and primary school students, indicating attention to the transition into and early years of primary school.

9) What does "after-school educational activities" mean in this grant?

Based on the description provided, after-school activities are additional educational supports for pre-school and primary school students intended to reinforce foundational skills beyond the regular school day and provide ongoing learning support as children progress into early primary grades.

10) What system-level or quality-improvement components are included?

PROTEEVA places significant attention on teachers and other primary education stakeholders at both community and national levels. It aims to improve accountability and promote adoption of best practices in Early Childhood Development (ECD), including integrating those practices into policy and planning processes.

11) Does PROTEEVA focus only on classrooms and direct services?

No. The description indicates the project is not limited to classroom activities. It is also meant to influence how early childhood and early grade education are supported, supervised, and guided through accountability, stakeholder engagement, and bringing ECD best practices into policy and planning.

12) What does the grant say about sustainability or long-term change?

By emphasizing accountability and incorporating ECD best practices into policy and planning processes, the opportunity signals that sustainability and institutionalization of ECD approaches are central expectations of the program.

13) Where is the activity based?

The opportunity is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, under USAID/Bangladesh.

14) What is the anticipated period of performance?

The anticipated period of performance is five years, contingent on performance and the availability of funds.

15) How much funding is anticipated?

The estimated funding level for the first two years is approximately USD 12.0 million to USD 14.2 million. The opportunity lists an award floor of USD 12,000,000 and a ceiling of USD 14,200,000.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any entity type may apply as long as it meets any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.

18) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).

19) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USAID BANGLADESH 388 09 004 RFA.

20) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on July 23, 2009.

21) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is September 8, 2009.

22) Who can be contacted for questions or access issues?

Questions or access issues were directed to M. Sirajam Munir, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at USAID Dhaka. Phone: 8855500. Email: smunir@usaid.gov.

23) What does USAID's "active involvement" typically imply for this opportunity?

Because the award is a Cooperative Agreement, the description indicates USAID expects to remain actively involved with the recipient during implementation. The specific nature of that involvement would be defined by the agreement terms, but the key point stated is that it is more engaged than a funding-and-monitoring-only approach.