Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 612 14 000003
Apply for RFA 612 14 000003
- 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 "The Girls Empowerment through Education and Health Activity (ASPIRE)" 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 Jul 29, 2014 and posted on Jun 19, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 3, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,400,000.00 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).
- (1) Eligible Entities Applicants who are eligible to apply are U.S. or non U.S. non governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), faith#8208based and community organizations, or educational institutions, who are able to respond in person through oral applications. To be eligible for award of a Cooperative Agreement, in addition to other conditions of this RFA, organizations must have a politically neutral humanitarian mandate, a commitment to non#8208 discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. Non#8208discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Girls Empowerment through Education and Health Activity (ASPIRE) is a USAID/Malawi grant opportunity designed to help girls in upper primary school build strong reading skills so they are better prepared to succeed once they reach secondary school. The activity is set up as a continuation of earlier reading work already happening in lower primary grades through the Early Grade Reading Activity, with ASPIRE picking up where that earlier effort leaves off. Rather than focusing only on classroom instruction, ASPIRE is built around the idea that girls do better academically when learning conditions, health-related realities, and community expectations all support their ability to attend school consistently and learn effectively.
Geographically, ASPIRE targets all primary and secondary schools in Balaka and Machinga districts, which are highlighted districts in USAID/Malawi's Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). The program is structured around three connected outputs that are meant to reinforce each other. Output 1 is directly education-focused: improving reading skills for girls in upper primary school so they have the literacy foundation necessary for higher-level learning. Output 2 addresses adolescent health and social behavior: increasing adoption of positive sexual and health care-seeking behaviors, along with healthier social norms among youth ages 10 to 19. Output 3 focuses on the broader environment that often limits girls' education: reducing key structural and cultural barriers to girls' access to schooling. This third area includes community support approaches and school-based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, reflecting the practical reality that safe, functional sanitation and supportive communities can influence attendance, dignity, and retention, especially for adolescent girls.
The opportunity is issued under Funding Opportunity Number RFA 612-14-000003 and will be awarded as a Cooperative Agreement, meaning USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation rather than operating at arm's length. The funding is categorized as covering Education, Health, and Water and Sanitation. USAID anticipated making one award, with an estimated total funding amount of $10,400,000. The award ceiling is also $10,400,000, and the award floor is $4,500,000, indicating USAID was open to proposals of different scales within that range depending on the applicant's approach. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which can broaden participation by organizations that may not be able to contribute large amounts of non-federal funds.
Eligible applicants include both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, specifically non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), faith-based and community organizations, and educational institutions. Applicants must be able to respond in person through oral applications, which suggests the selection process may include an oral presentation component or an oral application stage rather than relying only on written submissions. To qualify for award, organizations must also meet certain principles-based requirements, including maintaining a politically neutral humanitarian mandate, committing to non-discrimination toward beneficiaries, and following equal opportunity employment practices. The non-discrimination language explicitly covers equal treatment regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
Key dates show the announcement was posted June 19, 2014, created July 29, 2014, and closed September 3, 2014, with an archive date of December 31, 2014. The CFDA listing is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). For questions or issues accessing the announcement, the listed contact was Gideon Suya, Contracts Specialist at USAID, reachable by phone at +265 1 772 455 or by email at gsuya@usaid.gov.
Overall, ASPIRE is framed as an integrated girls' empowerment effort where literacy gains are the central academic target, but progress is supported through adolescent health behavior change, shifts in social norms, and practical school and community conditions such as WASH improvements. The intended result of combining these three outputs is better learning outcomes and stronger progression for girls through upper primary and into secondary school in the targeted districts.
FAQs: Girls Empowerment through Education and Health Activity (ASPIRE) - USAID/Malawi
What is the ASPIRE grant opportunity?
ASPIRE (Girls Empowerment through Education and Health Activity) is a USAID/Malawi grant opportunity designed to help girls in upper primary school build strong reading skills so they are better prepared to succeed in secondary school.
What is the main goal of ASPIRE?
The central academic goal is improved reading skills for girls in upper primary school. The activity is designed to support those literacy gains by also addressing adolescent health-related realities and community expectations that affect whether girls can attend consistently and learn effectively.
How does ASPIRE relate to earlier USAID reading programs?
ASPIRE is set up as a continuation of earlier reading work implemented in lower primary grades through the Early Grade Reading Activity. It is intended to pick up where that earlier effort leaves off as girls move into upper primary.
Where will ASPIRE be implemented?
ASPIRE targets all primary and secondary schools in Balaka and Machinga districts in Malawi. These districts are highlighted in USAID/Malawi's Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).
Who is the target population?
The activity focuses on girls in upper primary school for literacy outcomes, and it also targets youth ages 10 to 19 for adolescent health and social norm outcomes.
What are the three outputs of ASPIRE?
ASPIRE is structured around three connected outputs intended to reinforce each other:
- Output 1 (Education): Improve reading skills for girls in upper primary school.
- Output 2 (Health and social behavior): Increase adoption of positive sexual and health care-seeking behaviors and promote healthier social norms among youth ages 10 to 19.
- Output 3 (Enabling environment): Reduce key structural and cultural barriers to girls' access to schooling, including community support approaches and school-based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions.
Does ASPIRE focus only on classroom teaching?
No. ASPIRE is described as an integrated approach that goes beyond classroom instruction. It connects learning outcomes to health realities, social norms, and practical school/community conditions that affect attendance, dignity, and retention.
How does WASH fit into this education activity?
WASH interventions are included under Output 3 because safe and functional water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions can influence attendance, dignity, and retention, particularly for adolescent girls.
What type of award will USAID make under this opportunity?
The opportunity will be awarded as a Cooperative Agreement. This means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation rather than operating at arm's length.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for ASPIRE?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 612-14-000003.
What funding sectors or categories does this opportunity cover?
The funding is categorized as covering Education, Health, and Water and Sanitation.
How many awards did USAID anticipate making?
USAID anticipated making one award.
What is the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount is $10,400,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling is $10,400,000 and the award floor is $4,500,000, indicating proposals of different scales within that range were potentially acceptable depending on the applicant's approach.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, specifically NGOs, private voluntary organizations (PVOs), faith-based and community organizations, and educational institutions.
Are there any special application format requirements mentioned?
Applicants must be able to respond in person through oral applications. This suggests the process may include an oral presentation component or an oral application stage, not only written submissions.
What principles-based requirements must applicants meet to qualify?
To qualify for award, organizations must meet principles-based requirements that include maintaining a politically neutral humanitarian mandate, committing to non-discrimination toward beneficiaries, and following equal opportunity employment practices.
What does the non-discrimination requirement cover?
The non-discrimination language explicitly calls for equal treatment regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The announcement was posted June 19, 2014. It closed September 3, 2014.
What are the other key record dates (created and archived)?
The record shows a created date of July 29, 2014, and an archive date of December 31, 2014.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA listing is 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
Who can be contacted for questions about the announcement or access issues?
The listed contact is Gideon Suya, Contracts Specialist at USAID. Phone: +265 1 772 455. Email: gsuya@usaid.gov.
What overall results is ASPIRE trying to achieve by combining education, health, and community/WASH work?
ASPIRE is framed as an integrated girls' empowerment effort where literacy gains are the central academic target, supported by adolescent health behavior change, shifts in social norms, and improved practical conditions in schools and communities. The intended result is better learning outcomes and stronger progression for girls through upper primary and into secondary school in Balaka and Machinga districts.
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