7200AA19APS00006 Addendum - Attachment B - Concept Note Template.docx

APS No.: 7200AA18APS00003-STIP Addendum No.: 7200AA19APS00006 HEP-Paraguay APS No.: 7200AA18APS00003-STIP Addendum No.: 7200AA19APS00006 HEP-Paraguay

2018-2019 STIP APS Concept Note Template

2018-2019 Science, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Annual Program Statement

(STIP APS)

Addendum: Higher Education Partnerships Concept Note Template (Required Format)

Concept Notes should be in response to the specific country (Dominican Republic, Morocco, or Paraguay) opportunity.

The main body of the Concept Note (sections I and II) must not exceed 5 pages and must use 12pt Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins.[footnoteRef:1] The Concept Note and supporting information must use the format described below and be written in English. The Concept Note must be submitted to HEPartnerships@usaid.gov by no later than 5:00 pm EDT on May 1, 2019. The email subject line should follow this naming scheme: “HEP - Country - Prime Institution Name” [1: Questions regarding this template can be directed to hepartnerships@usaid.gov]

SECTION I - SUMMARY INFORMATION

A. Name of Applicant:

B. Phone number and email address of applicant:

C. Lead Institution:

D. Lead Institution DUNS Number[footnoteRef:2] (if known): [2: A DUNS number is a unique nine-character number used to identify your organization. The federal government uses the DUNS number to track how federal money is allocated. For more information, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html ]

E. Other HEI Partner(s):

F. Partnering Organization(s):

G. Title of Concept Note:

H. Proposed Project Period (Estimated Start Month/Year and Estimated End Month/Year):

I. Proposed Project Budget:

J. Overall Concept Objective (1-2 sentences):

SECTION II – DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY

A. Description of Higher Education Institution Partners (1 page maximum)

Describe the core U.S. HEI(s), host-country HEI(s), and non-HEI partner(s), including institutional strengths, capabilities, resources leveraged, alignment with individual or institutional priorities and mandates, and other appropriate context. Indicate institutional commitment to the proposed activities and their intended outcomes.

Describe the role of each partner in developing the Concept Note, including contribution to the following:

1. Identification of needs/ priorities in accelerating host-country HEI’s institutional capacity for the opportunity identified.

2. Identification and development of proposed solutions to the problem(s);

3. Identification and development of proposed implementation of the project or activities

Given that substantial collaboration is anticipated between U.S., host-country HEIs, and non-HEI partners at every stage of the proposed activity, briefly outline a plan for ensuring regular and effective communication between the U.S. HEI(s), host-country HEI(s), and any other proposed partners.

B. Description of Proposed Solution (3-4 pages)

Clearly identify and describe the development problem or challenge to be addressed and provide a thorough description of:

1. The proposed approach and activities, including an implementation timeline;

2. The anticipated outputs, outcomes, results, and impact;

3. How the proposed partnerships, projects, and activities will substantially accelerate institutional capacity for the opportunity identified within three to five years;

4. A plan for engaging female students, faculty, researchers, and other vulnerable and marginalized groups and partners at every stage of program design and implementation;

5. The specific roles and responsibilities of the core HEI partners. Describe the intellectual input, expertise, personnel, resources, etc. that each partner will contribute to the proposed activities, and how these will support particular outputs, outcomes, and intended impacts;

6. Justification and explanation of the specific roles and responsibilities of other proposed partners (i.e. external to the core HEI partners), and evidence of their commitment to the proposed activities;

7. How the intended outcomes (and partnerships or activities, where appropriate) will be sustained beyond USAID funding;

8. A plan for cost effective use of innovative approaches and technology as appropriate;

9. A plan for ensuring inclusiveness at all levels and in all materials and activities;

10. How the proposed activities align with the priorities and strategies of USAID and the corresponding USAID Operating Unit/Mission.

C. Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Summary (2-3 paragraphs) USAID collects program data to track and improve performance and incorporates a learning agenda to inform planning and management. Briefly describe (2-3 paragraphs) your CLA and MEL plan(s), including illustrative indicators, indicator targets, and learning questions that will be tracked throughout program implementation and used to modify administration, as needed. When preparing a CLA/MEL plan, the Applicant is highly encouraged to utilize the CLA and MEL principles described in the following USAID toolkits:

· Monitoring

· Evaluation

· Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting

If invited to submit one, the Full Application will request a more comprehensive CLA/MEL plan, including all components outlined in Automated Directive Services 201 (ADS 201) section 201.3.4.10: A. Activity MEL Plan. Final indicators will be negotiated between the Apparently Successful Applicant and the requesting M/B/IO.

[Sections I and II of the Concept Note must not exceed five pages.] SECTION III – SUPPORTING INFORMATION (2 pages) A. Proposed Estimated Cost and Cost Breakdown Please use the budget template provided in Attachment C.

If invited to submit one, the Full Application will request a more comprehensive budget.

B. Contact Information for Proposed Partners Provide contact information for all the core partners in spreadsheet format. Include organization, point of contact name, title, email, and phone numbers, as well as a brief description of each prospective partner’s previous work and experience.

(Note: Section III items A and B must not exceed 2 pages in total.)