Opportunity Information: Apply for SOL OAA 11 000004
Apply for SOL OAA 11 000004
- The Agency for International Development in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Regional Investigative Journalism Network (RIJN)" 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 Nov 18, 2010 and posted on Oct 26, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 6, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 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) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- USAID will accept applications from qualified U.S. entities, such as private, non profit organizations (or commercial companies willing to forego profits), including private voluntary organizations, universities, research organizations, professional associations, and relevant special interest associations. USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Regional Investigative Journalism Network (RIJN) grant opportunity is a USAID discretionary funding solicitation intended to support regional investigative journalism activities overseas. It is offered under Funding Opportunity Number SOL OAA 11 000004, with the title "Regional Investigative Journalism Network (RIJN)," and it was released by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the CFDA/Assistance Listing 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). The announcement materials referenced in this record specifically note "Amendment #01 Questions and Answers," meaning USAID issued an amendment to the original solicitation that primarily provides clarifications and responses to applicant questions rather than changing the overall purpose of the program.
USAID planned to make a single award, and the funding amount is fixed at an estimated total of $3,000,000. The listed award ceiling and award floor are both $3,000,000, which strongly suggests USAID anticipated one cooperative agreement at the full amount rather than a range of possible award sizes. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by USAID during implementation (for example, collaboration on program direction, oversight, or coordination) compared with a standard grant. The activity category is listed as "Other," with the clarification that it falls under "Regional Investigative Journalism," signaling the program is purpose-built around investigative reporting capacity, cross-border or regional collaboration, and related network-building rather than a standard sector label.
Cost sharing or matching is required under this opportunity. While the summary record does not specify the percentage or the acceptable forms of match, the requirement means applicants would need to plan for non-federal contributions (cash and/or allowable in-kind support, depending on the detailed terms in the full solicitation). Because the award is structured as a cooperative agreement with required cost share, applicants would typically need to show not only strong technical capacity in investigative journalism but also credible financial and managerial capacity to meet the match, track it properly, and comply with USAID assistance rules.
Eligibility is limited to qualified U.S. entities. USAID stated it would accept applications from private, non-profit organizations (including those with 501(c)(3) status as well as certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits), private voluntary organizations, universities and other private institutions of higher education, research organizations, professional associations, and relevant special interest associations. Commercial companies may also be eligible if they are willing to forego profits, reflecting USAID's typical approach to allowing for-profit participation only when profit is not taken on the assistance award. USAID also explicitly encouraged applications from potential new partners, which signals an intent to broaden the pool beyond organizations with extensive prior USAID award histories.
In terms of timeline, the opportunity was posted on October 26, 2010, with an original and current closing date of December 6, 2010. A creation date of November 18, 2010 is also listed in the record, which often corresponds to an update or system entry date rather than the initial public posting. The fact that the closing date did not change between the original and current dates suggests the amendment was likely informational (Q and A clarifications) rather than a formal extension.
For applicant support and access issues, USAID provided a point of contact: Suhaib Khan, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 202-712-0564, with an email field indicated in the notice (though not fully shown in the excerpt). The notice also indicates that if applicants had difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, they should contact the specialist, which is consistent with USAID practices for ensuring potential applicants can obtain the complete solicitation package and amendment materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Regional Investigative Journalism Network (RIJN) - USAID
What is the RIJN grant opportunity?
The Regional Investigative Journalism Network (RIJN) is a USAID discretionary funding solicitation intended to support regional investigative journalism activities overseas. The program is designed around regional investigative journalism, including cross-border or regional collaboration, investigative reporting capacity, and network-building.
Who is offering this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and title?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SOL OAA 11 000004, and the title is "Regional Investigative Journalism Network (RIJN)."
What CFDA/Assistance Listing number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 98.001, described as USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
What type of award instrument will USAID use?
USAID planned to use a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument.
What does it mean that the instrument is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial involvement by USAID during implementation compared with a standard grant. This can include collaboration on program direction, oversight, or coordination while the activity is carried out.
How many awards did USAID plan to make under this solicitation?
USAID planned to make a single award under this opportunity.
How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding amount is $3,000,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
Both the award ceiling and the award floor are listed as $3,000,000, which strongly suggests USAID anticipated one cooperative agreement at the full amount rather than a range of possible award sizes.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required under this opportunity.
Does the notice specify the required match percentage or the acceptable forms of cost share?
No. The summary information provided does not specify the match percentage or which forms of match are acceptable. Applicants would need to refer to the full solicitation and its terms to understand how cost share should be proposed, documented, and tracked.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to qualified U.S. entities. The solicitation indicates USAID would accept applications from:
- Private, non-profit organizations (including those with 501(c)(3) status and certain non-501(c)(3) nonprofits)
- Private voluntary organizations
- Universities and other private institutions of higher education
- Research organizations
- Professional associations
- Relevant special interest associations
- Commercial companies, if they are willing to forego profits
Are for-profit companies allowed to apply?
Commercial companies may be eligible if they are willing to forego profits, consistent with the solicitation language summarized in the provided information.
Does USAID encourage applications from organizations that are new to USAID?
Yes. USAID explicitly encouraged applications from potential new partners, suggesting an intent to broaden participation beyond organizations with extensive prior USAID award histories.
What kinds of activities does this program support?
The activity focus is described as regional investigative journalism. The opportunity is purpose-built around investigative reporting capacity, cross-border or regional collaboration, and related network-building, rather than being labeled under a standard sector category.
What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Other," with a clarification that it falls under "Regional Investigative Journalism."
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on October 26, 2010.
What is the application deadline?
The original and current closing date are both December 6, 2010.
Did the closing date change after the amendment?
No. The original and current closing dates are the same (December 6, 2010), which suggests the amendment was informational rather than an extension of time.
What does "Amendment #01 Questions and Answers" mean?
The announcement materials referenced include "Amendment #01 Questions and Answers," meaning USAID issued an amendment to the original solicitation that primarily provided clarifications and responses to applicant questions rather than changing the overall purpose of the program.
Why is there a "creation date" different from the posted date?
A creation date of November 18, 2010 is listed in the record. Based on the information provided, this often corresponds to an update or system entry date rather than the initial public posting date.
Who is the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The notice provides a point of contact: Suhaib Khan, Contract Specialist.
How can applicants reach the USAID point of contact?
The phone number listed is 202-712-0564. The notice also indicates an email field exists, but the email address is not fully shown in the provided excerpt.
What should an applicant do if they have trouble accessing the full announcement electronically?
The notice indicates that applicants who have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically should contact the Contract Specialist, consistent with USAID practices for helping applicants obtain the complete solicitation package and amendment materials.
What does the fixed funding amount imply for applicants?
With the award ceiling and floor both listed as $3,000,000 and USAID planning a single award, the structure implies a single recipient was anticipated to implement the full scope at the stated amount, rather than multiple smaller awards.
What kinds of capacity might applicants need to demonstrate based on the opportunity structure?
Based on the cooperative agreement format and the required cost share, applicants would typically need to demonstrate strong technical capacity related to investigative journalism and regional collaboration, as well as credible financial and managerial capacity to meet, track, and report the required match in compliance with USAID assistance expectations.
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