Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships in Higher Education Program | 7200AA18APS00003

Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA18APS00003

The Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships in Higher Education (STIP) Program is a USAID opportunity designed to connect higher education institutions (HEIs) with broader development efforts, especially those led by the U.S. Global Development Lab and other USAID partners. The central idea is to strengthen how scientific knowledge, research evidence, and innovative approaches are generated and then used to improve development policy and programming. In practical terms, the program is meant to help USAID and its collaborators tap into the expertise, research capacity, and convening power of universities and colleges, while also linking them with other institutions that can turn knowledge into real-world outcomes.

A key point is that this posting is an umbrella Annual Program Statement (APS), not a standalone grant with money attached. The notice explicitly states there is no funding associated with the umbrella APS itself, and the listed award ceiling is 0. Instead, anyone interested in applying has to respond to specific addenda that are released under the STIP APS. Those addenda are where USAID will define actual funding availability (if any), the scope of activities, submission requirements, selection criteria, and deadlines. In other words, this umbrella notice functions like a framework or container that USAID can use to publish targeted calls over time, each with its own rules.

Because this is structured around addenda, eligibility is not fixed at the umbrella level. Each addendum can set different eligibility requirements depending on the topic and the type of partnership USAID is trying to build. That said, the umbrella description signals a consistent expectation across addenda: applicants should show meaningful engagement with HEIs. Addenda may be open to many organization types (for example, nonprofits, private sector entities, NGOs, or other institutions), as long as the proposal demonstrates strong collaboration with universities or colleges and often includes additional partners as well. USAID highlights multi-institution partnerships, including public sector actors, private companies, nonprofit and NGO partners, and multilateral or international donor organizations, reflecting a preference for coalitions that combine research strength with implementation reach.

The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development, and it is administered by the Agency for International Development (USAID). The opportunity number is 7200AA18APS00003, with a CFDA listing of 98.012. The original posting dates back to March 5, 2018, and it lists an original closing date of March 4, 2020, though in an APS structure, the more important dates are typically those found in each addendum, since addenda drive actual submissions. The instrument type and category are both labeled "Other," reinforcing that this is not a typical single grant competition but a mechanism for issuing multiple related solicitations.

Overall, the STIP APS is best understood as an entry point into a series of future, topic-specific opportunities focused on leveraging higher education partnerships for development impact. The practical next step for any prospective applicant is to locate the relevant STIP addendum that matches their expertise and partnership model, then follow that addendum's instructions closely, since it will control what can be submitted (concept note, full application, or both), who is eligible, and how applications will be evaluated.

• The Agency for International Development in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships in Higher Education Program" 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 2018-03-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-03-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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