The Ministry of Education is offering the STEP-UP grant to address the pressing issues in Afghanistan’s higher education system. The grant aims to combat problems such as outdated curricula, under-qualified faculty, lack of resources, and inefficient management structures. By focusing on enhancing academic programs and building capacity, this grant seeks to prepare qualified individuals equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of today’s job market. Applications are open until Jul 15, 2013.
Opportunity ID: 227353
General Information
| Document Type:: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number:: | RFA-306-13-000003 |
| Funding Opportunity Title:: | STEP-UP |
| Opportunity Category:: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation:: | |
| Funding Instrument Type:: | |
| Category of Funding Activity:: | Education |
| Category Explanation:: | Afghanistan’s higher education system has many pressing problems and is still rebuilding after years of conflict and destruction. According to the National Higher Education Strategic Plan (NHESP: 2010-2014), outdated curricula, under-qualified faculty members, lack of adequate classrooms, laboratories, and information technology, and under-resourced libraries are among the most significant issues the system faces. An inefficient, centralized ministry structure prevents public universities from managing programs and finances. Ultimately, the university system lacks sufficient academic programs and capacity to prepare qualified workers with the relevant knowledge and skills to meet the employment needs of modern business, industry, and government. |
| Expected Number of Awards:: | 1 |
| Assistance Listings Number(s):: | 98.001 — USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:: | Yes |
| Version:: | Synopsis 4 |
| Posted Date:: | Mar 18, 2013 |
| Last Updated Date:: | Jul 09, 2013 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications:: | Apr 18, 2013 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications:: | Jul 15, 2013 |
| Archive Date:: | Aug 14, 2013 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding:: | $ 92,700,000 |
| Award Ceiling:: | $92,700,000 |
| Award Floor:: | $92,700,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants:: | Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” |
| Additional Information on Eligibility:: |
Additional Information
| Agency Name:: | Afghanistan USAID-Kabul |
| Description:: | Afghanistans higher education system has many pressing problems and is still rebuilding after years of conflict and destruction. According to the National Higher Education Strategic Plan (NHESP: 2010-2014), outdated curricula, under-qualified faculty members, lack of adequate classrooms, laboratories, and information technology, and under-resourced libraries are among the most significant issues the system faces. An inefficient, centralized ministry structure prevents public universities from managing programs and finances. Ultimately, the university system lacks sufficient academic programs and capacity to prepare qualified workers with the relevant knowledge and skills to meet the employment needs of modern business, industry, and government. |
| Link to Additional Information:: | |
| Grantor Contact Information:: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
| Synopsis 4 | The purpose of this amendment is to provide clarification to the Expected Number of Awards. USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this RFA. | Jul 09, 2013 |
| Synopsis 3 | Program estimation is $92,700,000.00 | |
| Synopsis 2 | No modification made on the synopsis. | |
| Synopsis 1 |
Package Status
Below are CLOSED Opportunity Package(s) no longer available for this Funding Opportunity:
Package No: 1
| Assistance Listings: | |
| Competition ID: | |
| Competition Title: | |
| Opportunity Package ID: | PKG00170671 |
| Opening Date: | |
| Closing Date: | Apr 18, 2013 |
| Agency Contact Information:: | Ousmane Faye |
| Who Can Apply:: | Organization and Individual Applicants |
| mendatory_forms |
Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) [V2.1] Attachments [V1.1] Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D) [V1.1] Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C) [V1.0] Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) [V1.1] Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) [V1.0] |
| optional_forms | Faith Based EEO Survey [V1.2] |
Packages
| Assistance Listings | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions | Who Can Apply: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PKG00170671 | Apr 18, 2013 | View | Ousmane Faye | Organization and Individual Applicants |