Deadline: 26-Apr-21
Pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, the United States Government, as represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation’s Center for Education (DDI/EDU) and USAID/Malawi, is announcing the Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics & Expanding Degree Opportunities (SSTEMEDO) Addendum to the Higher Education for Leadership, Innovation, and Exchange (HELIX), a New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) Annual Program Statement (APS), hereafter known as the HELIX APS.
Through this SSTEMEDO Addendum, USAID/Malawi aims to create new partnerships between Malawi and United States (U.S.) higher education institutions (HEIs) in efforts to amplify the Agency’s work in the higher education space. While Concept Notes received under this Addendum are to be led by U.S. HEIs, collaboration and partnerships with relevant non-academic institutions is anticipated. The overall Agency NPI seeks to support partner countries’ progress on the Journey to Self-Reliance, achieve sustainable and resilient results, and catalyze more effective partnering for impact.
Program Goal
The goal of SSTEMEDO is to expand the pool of Malawi’s skilled and employable workforce to spur economic prosperity and self-reliance and enhance the country’s resilience to shocks. This is a broader goal that USAID/Malawi is contributing to through a range of higher education activities, including through the proposed SSTEMEDO activity.
Focus Areas
The priorities set under the policy illustrate key areas that are critical to supporting partner country education systems on their journey to self reliance. In the higher education space, key priority areas targeted by the policy are ensuring that:
- Children and youth, particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable, have increased access to quality education that is safe, relevant, and promotes social well-being
- Youth gain skills they need to lead productive lives, gain employment, and positively contribute to society; and
- Higher education institutions have the capacity to be central actors in development by conducting and applying research, delivering quality education, and engaging with communities.
Funding Information
- USAID/Malawi anticipates funding two (2) awards with a combined total estimated cost (TEC) of approximately $17 million.
- The anticipated period of performance for an award (or awards) made under the SSTEMEDO Addendum to the HELIX APS is five (5) years.
Outcomes
- Outcome 1: Capacities of Malawian Higher Education Institutions to Design and Deliver High Quality, Diversified, and Market Relevant Programs Strengthened.
- Higher Education Institutions’ Management and Technical Capacities Improved, Especially in Targeted Higher Education Programs
- Market-Linked Degree Programs and Short Courses offered by Malawian Higher Education Institutions Increased
- Alternative Course Delivery Mechanisms (e.g. ODL) Refined and Scaled-Up
- Capacity of MoE and NCHE to provide policy support to Malawian Higher Education Institutions improved
- Outcome 2: Matriculation, Retention, and Completion Within High-Quality, Diversified, and Market Relevant Higher Education Courses and Programs Expanded, Especially in Targeted Programs.
- Marginalized and Vulnerable Youths’ Enrollment and Completion of Targeted Higher Education Courses Improved
- Barriers to STEM Bridging Courses by Marginalized and Vulnerable Youth Decreased
- Opportunities for Financial Support to Marginalized Youths Enrolled in Targeted Higher Education Courses and Programs Increased, and Structures Supporting These Efforts Institutionally Strengthened
- Higher Education Students’ Access to Internship and Employment Opportunities Increased
- Student Protection Systems at HEIs in Malawi Improved
- Outcome 3: Research and Innovation Outputs from Higher Education Institutions Increased.
- Centres of Excellence in Research and Innovation Established or Strengthened
- Collaboration in Research and Innovation among Higher Education Institutions, Research Institutions, and Industry (private and public sector entities) Improved
- Use of HEI-led, Market-relevant Research Publications Increased
- Policy Environment to Promote Research and Innovations in Malawian Higher Education Institutions Improved
Eligibility Criteria
USAID defines “Implementing Partners” as U.S. and non-U.S. non-governmental organizations that can design and implement assistance activities outside the United States. All Implementing Partners must be legally registered entities under applicable law and eligible under the relevant laws to receive funding from a foreign source. Individuals, unregistered, or informal organizations are not eligible to be Implementing Partners. NPI provides further details on eligibility, depending on the approach to partnership.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332106