Annual Program Statement for Development Innovation Ventures | 7200AA20APS00013

FAQs: USAID Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Annual Program Statement (APS) - 7200AA20APS00013

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Annual Program Statement (APS) for Development Innovation Ventures (DIV), Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA20APS00013. It is a USAID solicitation that explains what kinds of innovation-focused projects USAID is interested in funding and how applicants can apply.

Which agency is offering this APS?

The APS is issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The notice also references USAID/LAB as the bureau associated with this opportunity.

What is the purpose of an APS in this context?

The APS serves as a guidance and rules document. It is intended to give applicants clear, procedural information so they can prepare complete and compliant submissions. It lays out the activities USAID may support, the available funding approach, how to apply, and how proposals will be evaluated.

Is this a grant or something else?

This is described as a discretionary grant program. USAID/LAB expects to make multiple awards under this APS using grants and/or cooperative agreements.

What does it mean that awards may be grants and/or cooperative agreements?

Based on the notice, USAID may fund selected applicants through either a grant or a cooperative agreement. The specific instrument used would depend on USAID's decisions under the APS.

Will there be one award winner or multiple awards?

USAID/LAB expects to make multiple awards under this APS. That suggests there may be several recipients funded for different ideas or at different stages rather than a single awardee.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling listed for this APS is up to $15,000,000. This indicates USAID is open to supporting projects at potentially substantial scale, depending on the proposal and USAID's funding decisions.

What kinds of projects is USAID looking to fund through this APS?

The APS is focused on innovation-centered projects. The notice indicates the APS explains the activities USAID will consider supporting, but the specific activity types are defined in the APS document itself.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is listed in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, under CFDA 98.001.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 7200AA20APS00013.

What does "competitiveness depends on strict responsiveness" mean?

It means applications are expected to closely follow the APS instructions. The notice emphasizes that applicants should treat the APS as the primary roadmap and ensure their submission aligns with the described activity types, uses the required format/process, and addresses the stated evaluation criteria.

Where should applicants look to confirm eligibility?

Applicants are specifically directed to review Section C (Eligibility Information) of the APS document to confirm whether they qualify and what eligibility conditions apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

The listing shows eligible applicants broadly categorized as "Others," which typically suggests a range of organization types may be eligible. However, the definitive eligibility requirements are those in Section C of the APS.

What information does the APS provide about the application process?

The APS describes how to apply for funding, the process steps, and compliance expectations. It also explains how proposals will be evaluated and points applicants to required or helpful external documentation available online.

How will proposals be evaluated?

The notice states that the APS explains how proposals will be evaluated. The specific evaluation criteria and how they are applied are detailed in the APS document.

Does the APS include compliance requirements?

Yes. The notice describes the APS as establishing criteria, process steps, and compliance expectations that USAID will use to screen and evaluate applications.

What is the original closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is October 31, 2021.

When was this opportunity initially created?

The initial creation date listed is April 1, 2020.

What is the main takeaway for applicants reading this notice?

The main takeaway is that the APS is intended to provide informational and procedural clarity, and applicants should rely on the APS as their primary reference to prepare a complete, compliant, and responsive application.

Is the APS itself the primary source of requirements and instructions?

Yes. The notice emphasizes that applicants must follow directions in the APS document itself and use it as the primary roadmap for activity fit, format, process, and evaluation alignment.

Does this notice indicate that external documentation may be required?

Yes. The notice states the APS points applicants to required or helpful external documentation available online.