Opportunity Information: Apply for APS OAA 15 000048
Apply for APS OAA 15 000048
- The Agency for International Development in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Agency for International Development (Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact (HEPII) Annual Program Statement (APS)" 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 Jun 30, 2015 and posted on Jun 30, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 29, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- This APS requests Concept Papers from U.S. and non U.S. higher education institutions. All concept papers and subsequent full applications, if requested, will be expected to feature an higher education institution as the lead implementer.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact (HEPII) Annual Program Statement (APS) is a USAID grant opportunity designed to encourage partnerships between USAID and higher education institutions (HEIs) to advance USAID strategic priorities and achieve sustainable development outcomes. Rather than being a single, pre-funded competition with a set pot of money, this APS functions more like an umbrella mechanism through which qualified universities and similar higher education institutions can propose collaboration ideas to USAID. USAID is looking for concept papers that outline practical, impactful partnerships where an HEI brings relevant technical expertise, research capacity, training capabilities, innovation, or other academic strengths to address real development challenges in the countries and sectors where USAID works.
A central feature of this APS is its flexibility in award structure. Depending on the nature of the proposed partnership and the needs of the specific USAID office involved, USAID may make awards through Cooperative Agreements, Grants, Fixed Amount Awards, or Leader with Associate Awards. This flexibility matters because it allows USAID and the applicant institution to shape an agreement that fits the project’s level of complexity, oversight needs, and implementation model. It also signals that this is meant to accommodate a range of partnership types, from relatively defined, milestone-based activities (often suited to fixed amount approaches) to more collaborative efforts where USAID anticipates substantial involvement (often aligned with cooperative agreements).
Another key point is that the APS itself is not tied to dedicated funding. In practice, that means submitting a concept paper under this APS does not automatically mean there is money waiting behind the announcement. Any funding for a proposed partnership would need to be identified and requested from the specific USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office that would sponsor or support the collaboration. Applicants are therefore expected to align their concept paper with the priorities and interests of the USAID entity they want to work with, and to submit the concept paper to that entity as part of the process. This structure encourages proposals that are tightly connected to real, on-the-ground USAID programming needs, rather than purely academic projects that are not integrated into USAID’s operational priorities.
The opportunity is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. higher education institutions, but with a clear expectation: an HEI must be the lead implementer on the concept paper and any subsequent full application, if USAID requests one. In other words, while partnerships can include other organizations, the university (or equivalent HEI) is expected to be in the driver’s seat. Cost sharing or matching is not required, which can lower barriers for institutions that want to participate but cannot commit significant non-federal resources.
From USAID’s perspective, the purpose of HEPII is broader than funding individual projects. USAID explicitly frames this APS as a way to optimize how it works with higher education by identifying and promoting effective partnership models and increasing USAID’s access to higher education technical resources. That includes leveraging HEI capabilities across USAID’s portfolio and throughout the USAID program cycle, which can span assessment, project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptation. A notable emphasis is also placed on strengthening the capabilities of developing country HEIs, aiming to build local institutions’ capacity to respond to and solve critical development challenges over the long term. That capacity-strengthening focus aligns with sustainability goals, helping ensure that expertise, training systems, and problem-solving ability remain in-country after a project ends.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number APS-OAA-15-000048 and is categorized under Education, with CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). The APS was posted June 30, 2015, with a closing date of June 29, 2016, and an archive date of July 29, 2016, reflecting the time window during which concept papers were accepted under that specific posting. For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact was Michele Maximilien, Grants Specialist, at 202-567-5073.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact (HEPII) APS
1) What is the HEPII Annual Program Statement (APS)?
The Higher Education Partnerships for Innovation and Impact (HEPII) APS is a USAID grant opportunity designed to encourage partnerships between USAID and higher education institutions (HEIs) to advance USAID strategic priorities and achieve sustainable development outcomes.
2) Is HEPII a single competition with a fixed pool of funding?
No. This APS is described as an umbrella mechanism rather than a single, pre-funded competition. It is not tied to a dedicated pot of money.
3) What does USAID want applicants to submit under this APS?
USAID is looking for concept papers that outline practical, impactful partnerships where an HEI brings relevant technical expertise, research capacity, training capabilities, innovation, or other academic strengths to address real development challenges in the countries and sectors where USAID works.
4) What types of activities or contributions are expected from the higher education institution?
The HEI is expected to contribute strengths such as technical expertise, research capacity, training capabilities, innovation, and other academic resources. USAID also emphasizes using HEI capabilities across the USAID program cycle (including assessment, project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptation).
5) Who can apply for HEPII?
The opportunity is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. higher education institutions.
6) Does the HEI have to be the lead applicant/implementer?
Yes. An HEI must be the lead implementer on the concept paper and on any subsequent full application if USAID requests one. Partnerships may include other organizations, but the HEI is expected to be in the lead.
7) Are partnerships with non-university organizations allowed?
Yes. The APS is focused on partnerships, and it notes that other organizations can be included. However, the HEI must remain the lead implementer.
8) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching is not required under this APS.
9) What makes this APS "flexible" in terms of awards?
USAID may make awards using different instruments depending on the partnership and USAID office needs. The APS highlights flexibility in award structure to fit project complexity, oversight needs, and implementation model.
10) What award types may USAID use under HEPII?
USAID may make awards through Cooperative Agreements, Grants, Fixed Amount Awards, or Leader with Associate Awards.
11) How does USAID decide which award type to use?
The APS indicates this depends on the nature of the proposed partnership and the needs of the specific USAID office involved. For example, it notes that milestone-based activities are often suited to fixed amount approaches, while more collaborative efforts where USAID anticipates substantial involvement often align with cooperative agreements.
12) If there is no dedicated funding, how is a partnership funded?
Any funding for a proposed partnership would need to be identified and requested from the specific USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office that would sponsor or support the collaboration.
13) Does submitting a concept paper mean funding is guaranteed?
No. Because the APS is not tied to dedicated funding, submitting a concept paper does not automatically mean funding is available for that idea.
14) Who should receive the concept paper?
Applicants are expected to submit the concept paper to the specific USAID Mission, Bureau, or Independent Office they want to work with, as part of aligning the concept with that entity's priorities and interests.
15) How should applicants align their concept paper to improve fit with USAID?
The APS expects applicants to align concept papers with the priorities and interests of the USAID entity they want to work with. The structure is intended to encourage proposals connected to real USAID programming needs rather than purely academic projects that are not integrated into USAID operational priorities.
16) What is the broader purpose of HEPII from USAID's perspective?
USAID frames HEPII as a way to optimize how it works with higher education by identifying and promoting effective partnership models and increasing USAID's access to higher education technical resources across USAID's portfolio and throughout the USAID program cycle.
17) Is there an emphasis on developing country higher education institutions?
Yes. A notable emphasis is placed on strengthening the capabilities of developing country HEIs to help build local institutional capacity to respond to and solve critical development challenges over the long term.
18) What long-term outcome does the APS associate with strengthening developing country HEIs?
The APS links capacity strengthening to sustainability goals, aiming to help ensure that expertise, training systems, and problem-solving ability remain in-country after a project ends.
19) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this APS?
The Funding Opportunity Number is APS-OAA-15-000048.
20) What program category and CFDA number are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Education, with CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).
21) When was this APS posted and when did it close?
The APS was posted on June 30, 2015, and had a closing date of June 29, 2016.
22) What is the archive date listed for this APS?
The archive date is July 29, 2016.
23) Who was the listed contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed contact was Michele Maximilien, Grants Specialist.
24) What phone number was provided for the listed contact?
The phone number provided was 202-567-5073.
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