Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 497 16 000004
Apply for RFA 497 16 000004
- The USAID-IND in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sustainable Higher Education Research Alliances (SHERA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 25, 2015 and posted on Nov 25, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 13, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 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:
USAID/Indonesia invited applications for a program called Sustainable Higher Education Research Alliances (SHERA), issued under Funding Opportunity Number RFA 497 16 000004. The opportunity was structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning USAID expected to be substantially involved in the program alongside the recipient rather than simply providing a hands-off grant. The activity focus falls under the Education category, and the listing is associated with CFDA 98.001. The overall intent of SHERA, based on the solicitation title and description, was to support sustainable research alliances connected to higher education, with a strong emphasis on building and maintaining partnerships that strengthen research capacity and collaboration.
The award was planned as a single cooperative agreement (Expected Awards: 1) with a total ceiling of up to $20,000,000 over a five-year period, contingent on the availability of funds. A key budget requirement was that $15,000,000 of the total must be dedicated specifically to a partnerships program, signaling that the central deliverable was the creation or strengthening of structured partnerships rather than standalone activities. Like other USAID assistance awards, the funding explicitly excluded any fee or profit to the recipient, consistent with USAID policy for assistance instruments.
Eligibility was listed as “Unrestricted,” meaning the competition was broadly open to entity types, with the description clarifying that USAID/Indonesia was seeking applications from U.S. NGOs for this program. The opportunity was posted and created on November 25, 2015, and the application deadline was January 13, 2016 (with the original and current closing dates matching). In practical terms, SHERA was a fairly large, multi-year USAID education and research partnership effort in Indonesia, designed to channel the majority of resources into formal collaboration mechanisms and alliances tied to higher education research, implemented through one lead awardee operating under a cooperative agreement framework.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The program is called Sustainable Higher Education Research Alliances (SHERA).
Who is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity was issued by USAID/Indonesia.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 497 16 000004.
What type of award is SHERA?
SHERA was structured as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means USAID expected to be substantially involved in the program alongside the recipient, rather than providing a hands-off grant.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
The activity focus falls under the Education category.
What CFDA number is associated with this listing?
The listing is associated with CFDA 98.001.
What is the overall intent of SHERA?
Based on the solicitation title and description, SHERA was intended to support sustainable research alliances connected to higher education, with a strong emphasis on building and maintaining partnerships that strengthen research capacity and collaboration.
How many awards were expected?
The award was planned as a single cooperative agreement (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum total funding amount?
The total ceiling was up to $20,000,000 over a five-year period, contingent on the availability of funds.
What is the planned period of performance?
The planned period was five years.
Is the full $20,000,000 guaranteed?
No. The ceiling was up to $20,000,000 and was contingent on the availability of funds.
Is there a required budget allocation within the total award?
Yes. A key budget requirement was that $15,000,000 of the total must be dedicated specifically to a partnerships program.
What does the $15,000,000 partnerships requirement suggest about SHERA priorities?
It signals that the central deliverable was the creation or strengthening of structured partnerships, rather than standalone activities.
Are recipients allowed to include fee or profit in their budgets?
No. Like other USAID assistance awards, the funding explicitly excluded any fee or profit to the recipient, consistent with USAID policy for assistance instruments.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as "Unrestricted," meaning the competition was broadly open to entity types. The description also clarifies that USAID/Indonesia was seeking applications from U.S. NGOs for this program.
Was this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. USAID/Indonesia invited applications under the stated Funding Opportunity Number and planned to select one awardee.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted and created on November 25, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was January 13, 2016.
Did the closing date change after posting?
No. The original and current closing dates matched (January 13, 2016).
What kind of program was SHERA in practical terms?
In practical terms, SHERA was described as a large, multi-year USAID education and research partnership effort in Indonesia, designed to channel the majority of resources into formal collaboration mechanisms and alliances tied to higher education research.
How was SHERA intended to be implemented?
It was intended to be implemented through one lead awardee operating under a cooperative agreement framework, with substantial USAID involvement.
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