HELIX APS: Supporting Holistic and Actionable Research in Education (SHARE) Addendum | 7200AA20APS00010

Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA20APS00010

The HELIX APS: Supporting Holistic and Actionable Research in Education (SHARE) Addendum is a USAID funding opportunity designed to strengthen the evidence base for education programming in partner countries, with the larger aim of supporting those countries on their Journey to Self-Reliance. The core idea is that education systems and reforms improve faster and more sustainably when decision-makers have access to timely, relevant, context-specific, and high-quality data and research, and when that evidence is actually usable for policy and practice. USAID is signaling that, across the education sector, the problem is not only that evidence is missing, but also that existing evidence is often hard to access, uneven in quality, or not translated into forms that ministries, implementers, and other stakeholders can apply in real-world decisions.

This addendum sits under USAID's broader HELIX APS mechanism and focuses specifically on generating and applying education research to fill known gaps. USAID's Office of Education identified these gaps through broad consultations and literature reviews, then organized priorities into four Learning Agendas meant to guide research and learning across key technical areas in education. While the specific questions vary by agenda, the addendum emphasizes that research should connect directly to operational and policy needs, contribute to continuous learning and accountability, and help programs stay focused on measurable results. The Learning Agendas also intentionally integrate cross-cutting issues that commonly shape education outcomes and access, including gender and equity, disability inclusion, education finance and cost considerations, and the role of information and communications technology.

A major procedural point is that this addendum is not a standard Request for Applications. Instead, it is a request for Concept Notes submitted in response to the addendum under the existing HELIX APS. Applicants are expected to follow the instructions in both the addendum and the overarching HELIX APS, and concept notes must be fully responsive to be considered competitive. After reviewing a concept note, USAID's Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment (E3), Office of Education (E3/ED), will decide whether to invite the organization to submit a Full Application. In other words, this is a staged process: concept note first, then invitation-only full application for those USAID chooses to advance.

In terms of funding details, the opportunity is issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA20APS00010. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which generally means substantial USAID involvement is expected during implementation compared to a more hands-off grant. The activity category is education, and the listing references CFDA 98.001. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, indicating a wide range of applicant types may be allowed as long as they meet the requirements in the APS and addendum. The opportunity shows an award ceiling of $40,000,000, with an original closing date of May 8, 2020, and a creation date of April 3, 2020. The addendum frames the end goal as producing global goods for the education sector: research findings, methods, and practical learning that can improve education and learning outcomes beyond a single project or country context, while still being grounded in local realities.

Finally, the notice itself includes a separate pointer to check grants.gov for a different, more current HELIX addendum opportunity related to the Niger Resilience and Agribusiness Master's Program (N-RAMP), identified as 72068522APS00001 and noted as posted by the regional office in Senegal with a February 14, 2022 closing date. That reference is essentially a navigation tip for applicants, distinguishing the SHARE addendum summarized here from other HELIX addenda that may be open at different times and focused on different sectors or regions.

• The Agency for International Development in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HELIX APS: Supporting Holistic and Actionable Research in Education (SHARE) Addendum" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-04-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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