Innovation Health Practices | BAA GH OAA 2023

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USAID Innovation Health Practices (BAA GH OAA 2023)

1) What is the USAID Innovation Health Practices opportunity?

It is a USAID Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) focused on jointly developing, testing, and expanding innovative research and development solutions that reduce disease and prevent deaths worldwide, with a strong emphasis on improving health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

2) What does it mean that this is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)?

A BAA is designed to invite a wide range of partners and ideas rather than fund a single pre-defined program. Under this approach, organizations submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and then work collaboratively with USAID to shape promising concepts into practical, real-world interventions.

3) Is USAID funding one specific project or program under this opportunity?

No. USAID is not seeking proposals for one pre-set program. Instead, it is looking for organizations to propose ideas through an EOI and then co-create and co-design the project approach with USAID.

4) What is an Expression of Interest (EOI) in this context?

An EOI is the initial submission used to introduce an organization and its concept to USAID under this BAA. The EOI is intended to start a collaborative process where USAID and selected partners refine and develop strong, implementable interventions together.

5) What types of solutions is USAID looking for?

USAID is seeking innovative health practices and novel tools or approaches that can accelerate progress against disease and sustain improvements over time, especially in resource-constrained health system settings. The opportunity emphasizes research and development and new applications of science and partnership models in global health.

6) What is the geographic or population emphasis of the opportunity?

The BAA places a strong emphasis on improving health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly where health systems face resource constraints.

7) What is meant by co-creation and co-design?

Co-creation and co-design mean USAID is intentionally structuring the process to maximize joint problem-solving with selected partners. Project concepts, methods, and implementation plans are built together with USAID rather than being fully designed by an applicant and then handed off for funding.

8) Why is USAID emphasizing co-creation in this BAA?

The stated aim is to produce higher-quality partnerships and better technical solutions while using time and resources more efficiently. USAID is seeking practical ideas that can be shaped into effective interventions through collaborative development.

9) What does USAID mean by "value to the U.S. Government" for global health solutions?

In this BAA, it typically refers to solutions that are impactful, scalable, and cost-effective relative to alternatives, especially when applied to global health challenges in LMIC contexts.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open (unrestricted). Both for-profit and non-profit entities, and both public and private organizations, may participate as long as they meet any requirements described in the full announcement.

11) Are non-traditional USAID partners encouraged to participate?

Yes. USAID signals that it wants to expand beyond its usual partner base by welcoming non-traditional USAID partners.

12) Are local organizations in LMICs prioritized?

Yes. USAID prioritizes the participation of local organizations in LMICs to increase local leadership and ensure the people closest to the problems have a stronger voice in designing solutions.

13) What types of local or community-rooted organizations does USAID mention?

The opportunity explicitly includes local private sector actors, faith-based organizations, and other community-rooted institutions among those it wants to encourage and prioritize.

14) What is "co-investing" in this opportunity?

Co-investing refers to partners aligning goals with USAID and sharing responsibility, risk, and resources to develop and deliver solutions. USAID is looking for partners willing to contribute in meaningful ways that strengthen the combined effort.

15) Does co-investing require cost-sharing in cash?

No. Contributions are not limited to cash. USAID notes that co-investment can include in-kind support and other non-cash contributions.

16) What kinds of non-cash contributions can count as co-investment?

The BAA describes potential contributions such as in-kind support, technical expertise, intellectual property, brand value, coordination capacity, and access to key networks, locations, data, or decision-makers.

17) Is equal cost-sharing required between USAID and partners?

No. USAID states it is not requiring equal cost-sharing. It is seeking contributions that fit the project and reflect each partner's comparative advantage.

18) What kind of funding activity is this categorized as?

This opportunity is categorized as a science and technology / research and development funding activity.

19) What type of award does USAID expect to use?

Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which generally indicates substantial government involvement during project development and execution.

20) What does "substantial involvement" typically imply for a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, it implies USAID will be actively engaged during project development and implementation, consistent with the co-creation and co-design approach.

21) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this BAA?

The Funding Opportunity Number is BAA GH OAA 2023.

22) When did this opportunity open, and when does it close?

The opportunity was created on February 21, 2023, and has an original closing date of February 20, 2028, reflecting a long open period.

23) How many awards does USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipates about three awards.

24) What is the maximum award size (ceiling) listed for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is up to $1,000,000,000, indicating flexibility for potentially large-scale, high-impact efforts depending on what is co-designed and negotiated through the BAA process.

25) Does the $1,000,000,000 ceiling mean every award will be that large?

Not necessarily. The information provided indicates the ceiling is a maximum and that funding levels would depend on what is co-designed and negotiated through the BAA process.

26) What is USAID ultimately trying to achieve through this BAA?

USAID aims to reduce disease and prevent deaths worldwide by developing and scaling innovative, practical interventions, with a strong emphasis on sustainable improvements in LMIC health outcomes, using collaborative co-design and shared investment from partners.