Deadline: 2-May-23
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement a cooperative agreement for the Higher Education for Innovation and Growth Activity.
Goal
The goal of the five-year Higher Education for Innovation and Growth activity (the “Activity”) is that Jordanian higher education institutions provide quality, inclusive, student-centered, market-relevant education and foster innovation for economic growth, through partnerships with industry.
- Result 1: Improved performance of core functions by higher education institutions This component aims to measurably improve the identified core functions of the HEI based on an initial assessment of their programmatic and management processes. These improvements will be done with the goal of providing quality, inclusive, student-centered, market relevant education.
- Result 2: Effective and sustainable collaboration among higher education institutions, industry, and government stakeholders This component aims to develop a sustainable platform for collaboration among key actors including HEIs, industry and government for the purpose of carrying out specific activities through academia that support industry growth. Seng up a process to seek out, evaluate the merits of these collaboration opportunities and implement tangible interventions will be a key part of this component.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity.
- Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $20,000,000 in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period.
Activities
USAID considers the following to be characteristic of a successful Activity:
- Identifying multiple viable options for interventions in key sectors that lead to institutional change beyond just one faculty or sector.
- Planning for piloting/testing then refining/scaling up interventions, and continually assessing whether the timing, selected approach, participants, location, etc. are still appropriate, effective, and achieving the anticipated results. This includes seeking and planning for new industry collaboration opportunities and for shifting methodologies if a particular approach is not yielding results or is no longer optimal due to external shocks and change of circumstances, and pivoting levels of support for different interventions depending on need, new opportunities, and comparative advantage.
- Identifying individual and institutional behaviors and social norms that advance or inhibit the achievement of results, and understanding how these develop and change over me. This includes considering the level of sophistication and receptivity of beneficiaries, identifying levers for change/entry points, and utilizing specific methodologies and incentives for changing behaviors, social norms and building capacity – beyond surface-level campaigns and traditional training.
- Including local, regional and/or international HEIs and industry actors as both beneficiaries and implementing partners, to draw on their local knowledge, expertise, and relationships, and institutionalize long term research and analysis.
- Promoting equitable and collaborative relationships among implementing partners, including prime awardees and their sub-partners in line with USAID’s Locally Led Development.
- Considering how current practices may reinforce stereotypes and marginalization of different individuals based on their gender, disability status, citizenship, geography or socio-economic limitations, and ensure that all interventions are inclusive of all beneficiaries, including through the application of gender equity, Universal Design for Learning framework, and Positive Youth Development principles.
- Coordinating with other USAID implementing partners working in relevant sectors, as well as with implementing partners of other donors, in order to complement and avoid duplicating other efforts.
- Ensuring the sustainability of interventions and partnerships beyond the life of the activity, including through financially sustainable commitments.
- Establishing clear measures of success such as: return on investment, leverage and/or cost share, programs and curricula meeting labor market requirements, new graduates engaged in employment, internships or further education, private sector, GOJ and HEI partnership effectiveness, student satisfaction with career counseling, etc.
- Having a clear engagement plan to seek out partnerships as well as a process to vet and evaluate the potential of partnership opportunities before formalizing them.
Eligibility Criteria
- USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. The prime recipient is encouraged to promote involvement of local organizations in the implementation of this activity.
- Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law.
- The applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required in accordance with ADS 303.3.9.1 to determine whether the applicant has the necessary organizational capacity, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying. The applicant is reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the Recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in all sub-awards issued under this Cooperative Agreement.
- Applications will not be accepted from individual.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.