Appendix I_SPARK Concept Note Template_7200AA24APS00004.docx

[Name of Applicant Institution] | SPARK | Concept Note | Page / Appendix I Concept Note Template (Required Format)

Strategic Partnerships for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK)

An Addendum under the EXpanding Partnerships, Learning, and REsearch Annual Program Statement (EXPLORE APS)

INSTRUCTIONS

Please use the following template to prepare your Concept Note. The main narrative body of the Concept Note (Sections II-IV) must not exceed 5 pages in length, including figures and tables. All sections must be single-spaced using 12pt Calibri font and 1 inch margins. Ten point (10pt) font can be used for incorporated figures, tables, and legends, where necessary. The Concept Note, Budget, and all requested supporting information must be written in English and submitted by email to USAID to Julia Banks at jbanks@usaid.gov. All materials should be submitted in a single (preferred, up to three permissible) PDF (preferred) or Microsoft Word formats (if necessary), except budget files which must be submitted in a spreadsheet format (Microsoft Excel or similar); Materials submitted after the deadline or using any format other than that described here will not be evaluated. All other instructions specified in Section D and other guidelines and specifications detailed in the SPARK Addendum apply.

Appendix I. Concept Note Template

Strategic Partnerships for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK)

(Required Format)

SECTION I - APPLICANT INFORMATION AND SUMMARY (cover page)

· Title of Proposed Project

· Prime Applicant name, institution, and contact information

· Partner organizations/subawards, if applicable

· Proposed Project Period (estimated start and end month/year)

· Overall Project Budget Value

· Proposed Project Summary (1-2 sentences)

SECTION II – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ALIGNMENT WITH PRIORITIES (Approximately 3 pages) Clearly describe your proposed approach to fulfilling the Priorities outlined in Section A of the SPARK Addendum. Applicants are free to structure this section in whatever way is most appropriate for their concept. Please include at least the following items in your discussion:

· Describe all proposed activities, including rationale, planned inputs, and anticipated outputs.

· Describe how each of the proposed activities map onto the Priorities outlined in Section A.2 of the associated SPARK Addendum.

· Provide a general organizational structure for your proposed project and describe how the project will be coordinated.

· Describe how the proposed activities and/or overall project will support, foster, and/or strengthen new and/or existing mutually beneficial U.S.-local researcher partnerships.

· Provide details on your organization’s plan to support researcher sub-awardees and/or partners working in a broad range of research fields, international development, research translation and utilization, and stakeholder engagement.

· Use research and evidence throughout the rationale provided in this Concept Note for the planning and selection of proposed activities.

· Provide a plan for adaptive management and continuous learning throughout implementation, including how relevant lessons learned will be incorporated into future activities, as well as between Priorities, where appropriate.

SECTION III – INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY (approximately 1 page)

· Describe your organization’s capacity and past experience in designing grant processes; facilitating the sourcing/solicitation, selection, creation, administration, management, and close out of research projects; and mentoring and training research teams.

· Describe your organization’s understanding of, and experience with, the research for development system.

SECTION IV – PARTNERSHIP and CAPACITY STRENGTHENING (approximately 1 page)

· Outline a realistic and actionable plan to support U.S.-local research partnerships. Please include details on how you propose to ensure these partnerships are equitable, inclusive, and diverse.

· Detail how you plan to strengthen the research and/or research translation capacity of local researchers, higher education institution staff, policy makers, development practitioners, and/or other relevant stakeholders.

· Describe how the Prime Applicant proposes to address gender integration and inclusion of diverse, historically disadvantaged, and minority groups.

[Sections II-IV combined must not exceed five pages]

SECTION V – SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Timeline. Provide a provisional implementation timeline. (1 page maximum)

B. Partner Information (2 pages maximum; 10pt font is acceptable) Provide contact information for all of the core partners (entities or individuals), if applicable, in table format. Include organization, base country, point of contact name, title, email, phone number, and a very brief description of each individual’s/entities key qualifications.

(50 words max)

Prime Applicant

Other Partner(s), if applicable

C. Resumes Applicants may provide up to 4 resumes (maximum of 2 pages each) of individuals who will be key to implementation of the proposed project. Additional resumes or resumes longer than 2 pages will not be read. Resumes are encouraged but not required. Specific capabilities and capacities or proposed key personnel may be evaluated if and when an Applicant is invited to the Full Application stage.

SECTION VI – BUDGET - Please use Appendix II to submit all Budget information Please provide an estimated budget and cost breakdown for the proposed project for the Prime and any proposed (funded) Subaward Partners. The budget section, completed in the template provided in Appendix II and submitted as a separate Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or similar, should include the following:

· An itemized budget outline using the template provided (see Appendix II - “Prime Budget” tab and “Sub-Award Budget” tab(s), as applicable).

· A narrative budget summary (see Appendix II - “Budget Narrative” tab) describing the budget approach and overall allocation of resources (maximum six (6) sentences). The narrative budget summary should provide additional details and justification for proposed resource allocations across the various partners, if applicable, included in the Concept Note.

· Detailed budget notes referencing assumptions, approximations, estimations, and other budget justification information on the proposed costs detailed in the “Prime Budget” and “Sub-Award Budget” tabs, as applicable. Not all cost categories, items, or rows need to be included at the Concept Note stage, but please include any information that will help USAID better understand your budget approach.

· Note: Organizations are encouraged to consider providing reasonable cost sharing, leverage, or other exchange of resource arrangements, and are encouraged to suggest creative approaches to resourcing projects if/as appropriate. Please provide details on any cost sharing or leveraging proposed in the Budget submission.

As stated in the SPARK Addendum, ITR/R anticipates obligating up to $2.5M in the initial obligation for Year 1 of this Award, contingent on the availability of funds. This initial obligation is envisioned to cover both core operational costs for Year 1 as well as costs for pilot subawards under the initial Research Call(s) under SPARK. After the initial obligation, additional funds (contingent on the availability of funds, and up to the ceiling of $75M over five years) may be obligated into SPARK directly from ITR/R and other Missions and Bureaus who may co-create with the Prime to develop specific research calls.