Opportunity Information: Apply for USAID CAMBODIA RFA 442 12 000005
Apply for USAID CAMBODIA RFA 442 12 000005
- The Cambodia USAID Phnom Penh in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Social Innovation Lab Kampuchea (SILK)" 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 27, 2012 and posted on Aug 8, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 11, 2012 Closing Time 400 pm local Phnom Penh, Cambodia 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 $7,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Social Innovation Lab Kampuchea (SILK) grant opportunity was a USAID Cambodia funding announcement designed to strengthen Cambodia's civil society and development work by formalizing a technology and social innovation lab. The core idea was to build on the momentum already created by locally active, tech-oriented civil society organizations that were experimenting with new technologies and social media to improve development outcomes. SILK was envisioned as a hub where those existing efforts could be organized, expanded, and connected to wider partnerships, especially with private sector actors and other civil society organizations.
Programmatically, SILK was meant to do several things at once. It would support the development and deployment of new media and technology tools in collaboration with both the private sector and CSOs, helping to turn early-stage ideas into practical solutions that can be used in real development settings. It would also provide training and hands-on assistance to CSOs so they could better understand and apply technology in their work, whether for outreach, service delivery, citizen engagement, or program monitoring. Beyond direct support to CSOs, SILK was positioned as a platform for Cambodia's growing technology sector, creating a space where technologists could work on new tools specifically aimed at addressing social and development challenges in the country.
The opportunity was framed around "social innovation," described as work that sits between the private sector and the nonprofit world. In this context, social innovation refers to creating and testing new strategies, services, and products that respond to societal needs while also reinforcing the capacity and role of civil society. The SILK concept therefore combined practical technology development with broader institution-building goals, aiming to strengthen networks, skills, and partnerships that could sustain innovation beyond individual projects.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a continuation opportunity funded through a Cooperative Agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement by the funding agency during implementation. It was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development. USAID anticipated making one award, with a total estimated funding amount of $7,500,000, and both the award floor and ceiling set at $7,500,000. Cost sharing or matching was required. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of entity types, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full announcement.
The announcement was posted on August 8, 2012, created on August 27, 2012, and closed on September 11, 2012 at 4:00 pm local Phnom Penh time, with an archive date of October 11, 2012. The funding opportunity number was USAID CAMBODIA RFA 442 12 000005, under CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). The point of contact listed for access issues was Sokunn Mealea Prak, Acquisition Specialist at USAID Cambodia in Phnom Penh, reachable by phone at 855-23-728-344.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Social Innovation Lab Kampuchea (SILK)
What is the Social Innovation Lab Kampuchea (SILK) grant opportunity?
SILK was a USAID Cambodia funding opportunity intended to strengthen civil society and development work in Cambodia by formalizing a technology and social innovation lab. The idea was to organize and expand existing locally driven, tech-oriented efforts and connect them to broader partnerships, including private sector actors and other civil society organizations (CSOs).
What problem or need was SILK designed to address?
The opportunity aimed to build on momentum already created by Cambodian CSOs that were experimenting with new technologies and social media to improve development outcomes. SILK was envisioned as a hub to coordinate those efforts, expand practical tool development, and strengthen skills, networks, and partnerships that could sustain innovation beyond individual projects.
What were the main goals of SILK?
Based on the announcement description, SILK was meant to: (1) develop and deploy new media and technology tools with CSOs and private sector partners; (2) provide training and hands-on assistance to CSOs to help them understand and apply technology in their work; and (3) serve as a platform for Cambodia's technology sector to build tools aimed at social and development challenges.
What kinds of activities did SILK plan to support?
SILK was described as supporting the development and deployment of new media and technology tools, and helping move early-stage ideas into practical solutions for real development settings. It also emphasized training and hands-on support for CSOs, including using technology for outreach, service delivery, citizen engagement, and program monitoring.
What does "social innovation" mean in this opportunity?
In this context, "social innovation" was described as work that sits between the private sector and the nonprofit world. It refers to creating and testing new strategies, services, and products that respond to societal needs while also reinforcing civil society capacity and its role in development.
How was the SILK concept positioned within Cambodia's tech ecosystem?
SILK was positioned as a platform and space for Cambodia's growing technology sector, where technologists could work on tools specifically aimed at social and development challenges, in connection with CSOs and private sector partners.
Was SILK focused only on technology development?
No. While practical technology and new media tool development was central, SILK also emphasized broader institution-building, including strengthening networks, skills, and partnerships so innovation could continue beyond any single project.
What type of funding instrument was used for this opportunity?
The opportunity was funded through a Cooperative Agreement.
What does it mean that this was a Cooperative Agreement?
The announcement noted that a Cooperative Agreement typically implies substantial involvement by the funding agency during implementation.
Was this a new award or a continuation opportunity?
It was described as a continuation opportunity.
What program area or category did SILK fall under?
The opportunity was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
How many awards did USAID expect to make?
USAID anticipated making one award.
What was the total estimated funding amount?
The total estimated funding amount was $7,500,000.
What were the award floor and ceiling?
Both the award floor and the award ceiling were set at $7,500,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The announcement stated that cost sharing or matching was required.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of entity types, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full announcement.
What was the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number was USAID CAMBODIA RFA 442 12 000005.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed was 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
When was the announcement posted?
The announcement was posted on August 8, 2012.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 27, 2012.
When did the opportunity close?
The opportunity closed on September 11, 2012 at 4:00 pm local Phnom Penh time.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was October 11, 2012.
Who was the listed point of contact for access issues?
The point of contact listed for access issues was Sokunn Mealea Prak, Acquisition Specialist at USAID Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
How could applicants contact the point of contact?
The phone number provided for the point of contact was 855-23-728-344.
What partnerships did SILK emphasize?
SILK emphasized partnerships between locally active CSOs, private sector actors, and other civil society organizations, with the lab acting as a hub to connect and expand those relationships.
What kinds of CSO capacity building were highlighted?
The opportunity highlighted training and hands-on assistance to help CSOs understand and apply technology in their work, including areas such as outreach, service delivery, citizen engagement, and program monitoring.
What was the intended role of a "lab" in this opportunity?
The lab was envisioned as a formal hub to organize, expand, and connect existing technology-driven civil society efforts, and to support development and deployment of practical tools in collaboration with partners.
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