FY2024 Development Innovation Ventures_APS | 7200AA24APS00001

FY2024 USAID Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) - FAQs

1) What is the FY2024 Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) opportunity?

The FY2024 Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) opportunity is a USAID funding solicitation that invites organizations to apply for grant support for innovative, evidence-driven development solutions. It is issued under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as amended) and is intended to support approaches that can demonstrate measurable development impact.

2) Which federal agency is administering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

3) What kind of funding announcement is this?

It is published as an Annual Program Statement (APS). An APS is designed to lay out the "rules of the road" for what the agency is looking to fund, how to apply, and how submissions will be reviewed. It typically provides a longer application window than many other announcement types.

4) What is the opportunity number for this APS?

The opportunity number is 7200AA24APS00001.

5) When was this opportunity created?

The listing indicates the opportunity was created on October 20, 2023.

6) What is the closing date for the APS?

The original closing date is listed as November 1, 2024. This long application window is typical for APS mechanisms.

7) What is the program category or focus area of this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant program focused on Science and Technology and other Research and Development activities.

8) What is the CFDA number associated with this funding opportunity?

The listing is associated with CFDA number 98.001.

9) How many awards does USAID expect to make under this announcement?

The notice does not provide a specific number of anticipated awards, but it indicates that USAID expects to make multiple awards under this announcement.

10) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) stated in the notice is $15,000,000. This suggests USAID may support proposals that can scale significantly, depending on the stage, evidence base, and scope described in the application.

11) What types of activities will USAID consider for funding under DIV?

The APS outlines the types of activities USAID will consider under DIV and generally aligns them with innovations and approaches that can demonstrate measurable development impact. Applicants should rely on the APS instructions to ensure their proposed activities fit the DIV scope.

12) What does the APS say it will explain to applicants?

The APS explains four main areas for applicants:

• The types of activities USAID will consider for funding under DIV
• The funding available and the process and requirements for submitting applications
• The evaluation criteria USAID will use to assess applications
• Supporting documents and references available online that are relevant for preparing a compliant submission

13) What evaluation factors does USAID typically emphasize for DIV applications?

Based on the notice, the evaluation criteria typically emphasize evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and the potential to learn and scale. Applicants should consult the APS for the official evaluation criteria and how to address them.

14) Why is it important to follow the APS instructions closely?

USAID indicates that proposals need to closely follow the APS instructions to be considered responsive and competitive. In practice, that means applicants should align their submission to the APS requirements and address the criteria and compliance points the APS identifies.

15) Is SAM registration required for this opportunity?

Yes. A key compliance point highlighted in the notice is System for Award Management (SAM) registration. USAID notes it may not make an award to an applicant that has not met applicable SAM requirements described in the APS.

16) Can an organization submit an application before completing SAM registration?

Yes. The notice states that applicants are allowed to submit an initial application before completing SAM registration.

17) If initial submission is allowed without SAM, why start SAM registration early?

USAID emphasizes that SAM registration can take many weeks. Organizations are strongly encouraged to start as early as possible to avoid delays or potential award ineligibility later in the process if SAM requirements are not met when an award decision is made.

18) What happens if an applicant has not met SAM requirements?

USAID notes that it may not make an award to an applicant that has not met applicable SAM requirements described in the APS. Even if an initial application can be submitted without SAM completed, SAM compliance may still determine whether an award can be finalized.

19) Is this solicitation best understood as a one-time competition or an open call?

Based on the notice, it is best understood as an open call for development innovations during the APS application window, where USAID expects to make multiple awards and is looking for promising solutions backed by credible evidence and a clear plan for implementation, learning, and potential scale.

20) What should applicants keep in mind when preparing a submission?

Based on the notice, applicants should: (a) ensure the proposed solution is innovative and evidence-driven, (b) clearly describe measurable development impact and a plan for implementation and learning, (c) address typical evaluation themes such as evidence, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and scale potential, (d) use the supporting documents and references identified by the APS, and (e) begin SAM registration early to avoid timing or eligibility issues.