APS-OAA-21-00001 Addendum DDI/ITR DCCP | 7200AA22APS00003

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is titled "APS-OAA-21-00001 Addendum DDI/ITR DCCP" and is associated with Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA22APS00003. It is a USAID grant opportunity released under USAID's Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), through the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub.

2) What is the central purpose of the addendum?

The central purpose is to improve development outcomes for low-income and vulnerable populations by strengthening digital ecosystems that are open, interoperable, reliable, inclusive, and secure. It also aims to accelerate the use of digital tools and data-driven approaches in emerging markets.

3) What major effort does this addendum emphasize?

A major focus is the Digital Invest effort, positioned as a way for the U.S. Government to help unlock more investment into digital connectivity and digital financial services.

4) How is Digital Invest different from traditional grantmaking?

Rather than relying only on traditional grants to directly fund individual projects, Digital Invest is designed to use USAID funding to attract (or "crowd in") additional commercial and institutional capital. The intent is to structure limited public funding so it catalyzes larger pools of private-sector investment, increasing the scale and sustainability of impact beyond what grant funds alone could typically achieve.

5) What does "crowding in" capital mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, "crowding in" refers to using USAID funding in a way that encourages and attracts additional commercial and institutional investment alongside public funding, particularly for digital connectivity and digital financial services.

6) What is Digital Invest planning to support in 2022?

For 2022, Digital Invest intends to support the launch or expansion of four financing facilities.

7) What are the financing facilities intended to do?

The facilities are meant to help drive sustainable market growth for competitive Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and financial technology (fintech) companies, especially those serving populations that have historically been excluded from affordable connectivity and financial services.

8) What types of organizations or sectors are specifically mentioned as targets for support?

The opportunity specifically mentions competitive ISPs and fintech companies as targets for support through the financing facilities.

9) What kinds of outcomes or market changes is USAID looking to promote?

The opportunity is geared toward solutions that strengthen market participation and competition, expand last-mile or underserved connectivity, and broaden access to digital financial products that can reach people and communities often left out of formal systems.

10) Does the opportunity address inclusion and underserved populations?

Yes. The purpose explicitly references improving outcomes for low-income and vulnerable populations, and the facilities are described as prioritizing companies and approaches that reach historically excluded populations, including underserved or last-mile communities.

11) What does USAID mean by strengthening the "digital ecosystem" in this notice?

Based on the notice language, strengthening the digital ecosystem includes making it open, interoperable, reliable, inclusive, and secure, while also accelerating digital tools and data-driven approaches in emerging markets.

12) Is there an emphasis on security and resilience?

Yes. The opportunity is framed as part of the U.S. Government Build Back Better World Initiative, with an emphasis on promoting a secure and resilient digital ecosystem. This indicates interest in expanding access while also supporting trustworthy infrastructure and responsible technology adoption, including security and resilience considerations.

13) Which USAID bureau and hub are leading this opportunity?

It is released under the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), specifically through the Innovation, Technology, and Research (ITR) Hub.

14) What type of funding instrument is used?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a grant instrument.

15) What is the funding activity area and CFDA listing?

The funding activity area is categorized as "Other," and the opportunity is associated with CFDA 98.001.

16) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown in the listing?

The listing indicates an award ceiling of $500,000.

17) What is the expected first step in the application process?

Applicants are expected to begin engagement through a Concept Paper.

18) Where are the detailed submission requirements and approach described?

The notice stresses that eligible organizations should carefully read the APS addendum for the specific requirements, approach, and submission details.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are broadly described as "Others." This typically indicates that the eligibility scope may be defined in more detail in the addendum and could include a range of organizational types depending on USAID's stated criteria.

20) What is the original closing date listed for submissions?

The original closing date listed for submissions was May 13, 2022.

21) When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of January 11, 2022.

22) What overall development themes are tied to this opportunity?

The notice connects the effort to development outcomes for low-income and vulnerable populations, improved digital ecosystems, increased investment into digital connectivity and digital financial services, expanded competition and market participation, and a secure and resilient digital ecosystem aligned with the Build Back Better World Initiative framing.