Deadline: 08-Jun-2026
Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has launched a new Request for Proposals under its Acceleration Facility to support consortium-led initiatives that strengthen disability-inclusive education systems and improve the use of education data in humanitarian and crisis-affected settings. The initiative aims to improve access to quality education for children with disabilities through stronger data systems, inclusive programming, and collaboration with disability-focused organizations.
The programme provides a three-year grant with total funding of US$1 million and encourages partnerships that bring together expertise in disability inclusion, education in emergencies, research, and capacity strengthening.
Overview
The funding opportunity focuses on improving disability-inclusive education programming by strengthening how disability-related data is collected, analysed, and used within education systems operating in crisis and humanitarian contexts.
Projects are expected to support inclusive education approaches, improve data systems, strengthen institutional capacities, and promote collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). The programme also encourages alignment with international disability and education standards while ensuring safeguarding and intersectional approaches are integrated throughout implementation.
Funding Information
- Total funding available: US$1,000,000
- Grant duration: 3 years
- Funding mechanism: Acceleration Facility Grant
- Final funding allocations may vary based on proposal evaluation
- Budgets may be revised during the assessment process
- A lead organization will hold the grant agreement on behalf of the consortium
- A ring-fenced budget line must be included for urgent accessibility-related needs during implementation
Focus Areas
Projects should contribute to:
- Strengthening disability-inclusive education systems
- Improving disability-related education data collection and use
- Enhancing Education Management Information Systems (EMIS)
- Supporting evidence-based decision-making
- Strengthening institutional and partner capacities
- Promoting inclusive education programming
- Advancing collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
- Supporting safeguarding and protection measures
- Integrating intersectional approaches into education programming
Eligible Activities
Supported activities may include:
- Strengthening disability-inclusive education programming
- Improving education data systems
- Enhancing EMIS systems
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Research and evidence generation
- Development and use of disability data tools
- Co-creation processes with OPDs
- Training and technical support
- Safeguarding and inclusion initiatives
- Policy and programme improvement activities
Projects may also support the use of:
- Washington Group tools
- UNICEF Child Functioning Module
- Other disability-inclusive data collection approaches
Consortium Requirements
Education Cannot Wait strongly encourages consortium-based applications.
Consortia are encouraged to include:
- National organizations
- International organizations
- Academic institutions
- Research partners
- Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
OPD participation is strongly encouraged as a core component of programme design and implementation.
A lead organization will be responsible for:
- Holding the contract
- Managing grant funds
- Coordinating implementation
- Reporting on project progress
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Legally registered national organizations
- Legally registered international organizations
- Academic institutions
- Organizations capable of implementing education in emergencies programming
Applicants must demonstrate expertise in:
- Disability-inclusive education
- Disability-inclusive data systems
- Humanitarian education programming
- Research and evidence generation
- Capacity strengthening
Organizations must also meet relevant UN partner requirements, including:
- HACT low or medium risk rating
- Registration on relevant UN partner portals
- Compliance with required capacity assessments
Application Process
Applications will be assessed through a two-stage process.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest
Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest outlining:
- Organizational capacity
- Proposed approach
- Consortium structure
- Relevant experience
Stage 2: Full Proposal
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal covering:
- Technical approach
- Implementation plan
- Budget
- Partnership arrangements
- Expected outcomes
Proposals must:
- Be submitted in English
- Use USD as the budget currency
- Cover the full scope of required services
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Technical quality of the proposal
- Consortium strength
- Participation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
- Feasibility of implementation
- Value for money
- Demonstrated expertise and experience
Final selection will be based on the highest-scoring proposals that meet all minimum requirements.
Awards will only be confirmed after formal agreement signing.
Tips for Applicants
- Include OPDs as meaningful consortium partners.
- Demonstrate strong expertise in disability-inclusive education.
- Clearly explain how disability data will be collected and used.
- Show experience in humanitarian and crisis-affected settings.
- Incorporate safeguarding and protection measures.
- Include realistic implementation and capacity-building plans.
- Ensure accessibility considerations are reflected in the budget.
Why This Funding Matters
Children with disabilities often face significant barriers to education during humanitarian crises and emergencies. Strengthening disability-inclusive education systems and improving the quality of disability-related data can help ensure that education programmes better identify needs, allocate resources effectively, and provide equitable learning opportunities. This initiative supports more inclusive, evidence-based education systems that can better serve vulnerable learners in crisis-affected contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply for this funding opportunity?
- Legally registered national organizations
- International organizations
- Academic institutions
- Organizations capable of implementing education in emergencies programmes
- How much funding is available?
- Total funding available is US$1,000,000.
- How long is the grant period?
- The grant will be implemented over a three-year period.
- Are consortium applications required?
- Consortium applications are strongly encouraged.
- Participation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) is particularly encouraged.
- What expertise should applicants demonstrate?
- Disability-inclusive education
- Disability-inclusive data systems
- Humanitarian education programming
- Research and evidence generation
- Capacity strengthening
- What is the application process?
- Stage 1: Expression of Interest
- Stage 2: Full Proposal for shortlisted applicants
- How will proposals be evaluated?
- Technical quality
- Consortium strength
- OPD participation
- Feasibility
- Value for money
- Compliance with minimum requirements
Conclusion
The Education Cannot Wait Acceleration Facility provides an important opportunity for organizations working in humanitarian and crisis-affected contexts to strengthen disability-inclusive education systems and improve the use of education data. Through consortium-led approaches, capacity strengthening, and collaboration with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, the initiative aims to support more inclusive and evidence-based education programmes that improve learning opportunities for children with disabilities.
For more information, visit Education Cannot Wait.