The USAID Development Innovation Accelerator BAA | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the USAID Development Innovation Accelerator (DIA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)?

The USAID DIA BAA is a standing research-and-innovation funding framework run by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It is designed to attract new ideas, technologies, and partnerships that can address major development problems through research, innovation, and collaboration.

Is this a single grant with one deadline?

No. This is not a one-time grant with a single fixed deadline. The BAA functions as an umbrella solicitation. USAID issues separate "Critical Development Challenge" Addenda under the BAA, and each addendum sets its own response date (deadline).

What are "Critical Development Challenge" Addenda?

Addenda are individual challenge-specific solicitations released under the umbrella BAA. Each addendum describes a specific problem USAID wants solved and provides the technical requirements, evaluation criteria, response date, and the anticipated award approach for that particular challenge.

What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The main purpose is to support basic and applied research and development tied to Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnership (STIP). USAID is seeking collaborators to develop or adapt innovations and technologies that can scale and address major development problems.

What does USAID mean by co-create, co-design, and co-invest?

USAID signals an interest in working collaboratively with partners rather than only funding standalone efforts. The opportunity emphasizes joint development (co-creation and co-design) and, in some cases, shared resourcing (co-investment) to strengthen development outcomes and the likelihood that innovations can be adopted and scaled.

What kind of impact is USAID aiming for through this BAA?

USAID frames an overall ambition of contributing innovations capable of dramatically improving or saving the lives of more than 200 million people over a five-year period. This indicates a strong preference for solutions with credible pathways to real-world adoption and scalability beyond small pilots.

What types of projects or solutions are likely to be competitive?

Based on the BAA description, competitive responses are likely to show strong problem fit with a specific addendum, technical feasibility, measurable development impact, and a clear route to deployment and scale. Proposals that include a partnership or resourcing plan that helps move the solution beyond research into widespread use may be better positioned.

What funding instrument will be used for awards under this BAA?

The funding instrument is categorized broadly as "Other" under the overarching BAA. The specific award type and collaboration structure may vary by addendum and by what USAID determines is appropriate for a given challenge and proposed solution.

Are award amounts (minimum/maximum) defined in the master BAA?

No. Key funding details such as award size, ceilings, or floors are not preset in the master announcement. Those specifics are driven by the individual addenda and by the final award type USAID chooses for a given collaboration.

Will every addendum fund the same kinds of activities?

No. Each addendum may differ substantially in what it funds, how much it funds, and what form the relationship takes. The technical requirements and evaluation criteria are set at the addendum level, so applicants need to rely on the specific addendum they are responding to.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Not universally. The overarching listing indicates "No" as the general cost-sharing requirement. However, USAID notes that cost share or other resource commitments may be required or negotiated depending on the individual addendum, the eventual award mechanism, and mutual agreement between the parties.

If cost share is not required, can we still propose it?

Yes. Even when not required, proposers are encouraged to propose creative resource arrangements. These can include financial cost share, in-kind contributions, partner support, or other leveraging approaches that strengthen the likelihood of success and scale.

Who is eligible to apply under the BAA?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private organizations; for-profit and nonprofit entities; universities and other institutions of higher education; public international organizations; nongovernmental organizations; U.S. and non-U.S. government organizations; and international donor organizations.

Can an addendum change or limit eligibility?

Yes. While the umbrella BAA describes broad eligibility, individual addenda can narrow eligibility or set additional conditions. Applicants should follow the eligibility requirements stated in the specific addendum they plan to respond to.

What should applicants focus on when preparing a response?

Applicants should treat the BAA as an entry point and then focus on a specific addendum that matches their technical strengths and impact goals. A strong response should address the stated problem, meet the addendum's technical requirements, and explain a credible path to real-world deployment and scale.

How are deadlines determined?

Deadlines are controlled by the individual addenda, not by a single master closing date. Each "Critical Development Challenge" addendum sets its own response date.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 98.001, described as USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.

When was this opportunity posted?

The announcement was posted in mid-May 2014. Response dates are determined by the individual addenda released under the BAA.

Where was the announcement posted?

The announcement notes it was posted on the federal procurement portal used at the time, FedBizOpps.

Who can we contact with questions or access issues?

For questions or access issues related to the full announcement, the listed point of contact is the USAID Global Development Lab team at DIAglobalscale@usaid.gov.