USAID’s Global Development Alliance Concept Note Invitation

Concept notes invited for USAID’s Global Development Alliance

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking concept notes for the FY2011 Global Development Alliance (GDA) Annual Program Statement.

The Global Development Alliance is an innovative public-private alliance model for improving social and economic conditions in developing countries. It invites interest from prospective partner organizations to form innovative Global Development Alliances that contribute significantly towards the achievement of results for USAID’s key initiatives addressing issues of global health, climate change, food security, water, technology and innovation.

USAID is keen to support Alliance partners who will bring significant new resources, ideas, technologies and/or partners to address significant development problems and challenges. “Successful proposals will bring at least a 1:1 resource leveraging to address Agency initiatives or other significant development challenges within USAID’s manageable interest. and will clearly articulate the unique value that the private sector brings to a particular development challenge or Agency initiative, such as helping to increase the scale, efficiency, effectiveness and/or sustainability of an initiative.”

Through these partnerships, USAID seeks to support high-priority initiatives currently in operation such as Feed the Future (food security), Global Climate Change and the Global Health Initiative. In addition to these, there are other areas under which alliances can propose projects. These areas are:

• Anti-corruption/democracy and governance/civil society strengthening
• Humanitarian assistance
• Disaster preparedness, response and recovery
• Economic policy and trade and regulatory reform
• Information technology

Concept notes for discussion have to be submitted to the local USAID Mission located in one’s own country. Based upon the review of the concept notes, full applications will be requested from the selected applicants. The concept notes will be accepted through 30 September 2011. More information at this link.

For the benefit of NGOs in developing countries, we have tried to simplify the concept of USAID’s Global Development Alliance and how an organization can apply for it.

How to submit the concept note for USAID’s Global Development Alliance

USAID is only accepting concept notes initially from applicants under the Global Development Alliance Annual Program Statement. The concept note should not exceed more than 5 pages (standard margins, 12pt font).

Following is the format to be used for developing the concept note:

Cover Page/Introduction:

1. Include the Solicitation Number (APS No: M/OAA/GRO/EGAS – 11-002011) from this solicitation;
2. Identify the Mission(s) receiving the concept paper, as well as the individual(s) at the Mission(s) who received the paper;
3. Name and address of organization;
4. Type of organization (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, university, etc.);
5. Contact point (lead contact name; relevant telephone, and e-mail information). Regional or multi-country applications should provide the name and contact details of at least one local partner for each country targeted in the program;
6. Names of other organizations (federal and non-federal as well as any other USAID offices) to whom you are/have submitted the application and/or are funding the proposed activity; and
7. Signature of authorized representative of the applicant.

Technical Information:

1. Concise title, objective and description of proposed activity;
2. Discussion of the objectives, the method of approach, the anticipated results, and how the work will help address a significant development challenge and accomplish a field Mission or WOU’s specific strategic objectives for that development challenge within a defined timeframe;
3. Roles, level of effort responsibilities and contributions of the prospective partner organization(s);
4. Brief discussion of how the key activity will be sustainable without continued USAID funding after the GDA program ends; and
5. Type of support and amounts the applicant requests from USAID (e.g., funds, facilities, equipment, materials, personnel resources, etc.).

Supporting Information:

1. Proposed estimated cost;
2. Brief cost breakdown (e.g., salaries, travel, etc.), with proposed budget and projections
3. Proposed amount of the applicant’s financial as well as in-kind participation (clearly identify which resources are cash and which are in-kind and provide information on the nature of the in-kind contributions);
4. Proposed amount of leverage from prospective partners, both cash as well as in-kind;
5. Proposed duration of the GDA activity; and
6. Brief description of applicant’s, as well as prospective or existing partner’s (or partners’), previous work and experience.

After completing the concept note, submit it to the USAID Mission office in your country (do not forget to mark the letter with the title: Global Development Alliance). A copy of it has to be emailed to gda@usaid.gov