SPARK_7200AA24APS00004_Addendum | 7200AA24APS00004 ADDENDUM

Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA24APS00004 ADDENDUM

SPARK_7200AA24APS00004_Addendum is a USAID funding opportunity issued as an addendum to the 2024-2029 EXPLORE Annual Program Statement (APS) No. 7200AA24APS00004. The core purpose is to bring on one or more prime entities that can actively identify (source), nurture (support), and finance research partnerships that pair low- and middle-income country (LMIC) research institutions with U.S.-based institutions. The work is meant to generate research collaborations on topics that matter to global development, aligning with USAID's broader innovation, technology, and research priorities through its Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub (ITR). In practice, this signals a mechanism for building and managing a pipeline of joint research activities across institutions, rather than supporting only a single, narrow project.

The award type listed is a cooperative agreement, which generally means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation compared with a standard grant. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 98.012. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, indicating the opportunity is broadly open rather than limited to a particular applicant class, though applicants would still need to meet any requirements specified in the underlying EXPLORE APS and in this addendum (for example, the ability to function as a prime, manage subawards or partnerships, and administer research-related funding responsibly).

The addendum emphasizes that all terms and conditions of the parent EXPLORE APS apply. That is important because it means the addendum should be read as an extension or specialized track under the existing multi-year APS, not as a completely standalone program with entirely new rules. Another key feature is USAID's explicit flexibility: the agency reserves the right to make more awards, fewer awards, or no awards at all. This is a common APS posture, reflecting that awards depend on the quality of submissions, program fit, and funding availability rather than a guaranteed number of selections.

The submission approach referenced is concept-note driven. Strong concept notes may be placed into an eligible applicant pool that remains active for the life of the EXPLORE APS (covering 2024 through 2029). Being placed in that pool does not guarantee funding, but it can position an applicant for follow-on conversations and potential future awards if USAID identifies a match with emerging priorities or if additional funds become available later. In other words, the opportunity is designed to build a bench of credible partners and ideas, giving USAID a way to move quickly when specific research partnership opportunities arise.

From the posting data provided, the opportunity was created on March 6, 2024, and the original closing date was April 8, 2024. The listed award ceiling is $75,000,000, suggesting the potential for a large-scale mechanism or multiple sizable activities under the prime arrangement, even though the notice does not specify an exact number of expected awards in the excerpt. Overall, the addendum is best understood as USAID ITR's effort to strengthen and scale collaborative research links between LMIC and U.S. institutions by selecting prime partner(s) capable of catalyzing, managing, and funding those collaborations under the broader EXPLORE APS framework.

• The Agency for International Development in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SPARK_7200AA24APS00004_Addendum" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-08. (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 $75,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for 7200AA24APS00004 ADDENDUM

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