Targeting The Learning Crisis

The "Targeting the Learning Crisis" Annual Program Statement (APS) by USAID Uganda invites non-profit and for-profit organizations to propose innovative approaches to improving foundational literacy and numeracy in Ugandan primary education. The program's central goal is to increase the number of students in early primary (P1-P5) who meet grade-level expectations in reading and math, addressing severe learning setbacks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's prolonged school closures. USAID seeks partners who can leverage evidence-based teaching methodologies, such as Targeted Instruction, to improve learning outcomes sustainably. This APS focuses on Uganda’s most vulnerable districts and aims to provide both financial and technical assistance to support sustainable, scalable education interventions. Eligible applicants include a wide array of organizations, particularly those that are non-governmental or civil society-based, including both local and international entities. USAID encourages partnerships with local organizations and new, non-traditional partners to foster local capacity and increase long-term impact. Selected applicants will co-design program activities with USAID to ensure alignment with the educational needs and challenges identified in Uganda. Additionally, USAID prioritizes applicants who demonstrate experience working with marginalized and vulnerable populations and the ability to integrate inclusive approaches to address educational disparities. The APS requires applicants to submit a five-page concept paper detailing the proposed intervention, target locations, theory of change, anticipated outcomes, and organizational capacity. The concept paper will undergo a multi-phase evaluation, beginning with a merit review. Strong applicants may be invited to oral presentations and potentially to form coalitions with other organizations to strengthen program design. Successful applicants will then enter a co-design phase with USAID to finalize project activities and implementation strategies. USAID emphasizes sustainability in proposed interventions, encouraging plans for transitioning from USAID support to locally driven educational solutions. Award funding will depend on the number and quality of submissions but is estimated at a total of up to $45 million. Individual project funding may vary, with a minimum suggested funding level of $3 million per project. Awards may include Cooperative Agreements, Fixed Amount Awards, or Simplified Grants, with final types determined during the co-design phase. Projects may have a maximum duration of 60 months, with specific timelines and activities to be finalized based on project scope and USAID’s strategic goals in Uganda. The APS identifies three key educational levels for interventions: P3-P5, where Targeted Instruction will focus on grouping students by learning levels; P1-P2, with an emphasis on foundational learning for all students and remedial support for those behind; and pre-primary, where early childhood education tools will be used to foster school readiness in literacy and numeracy. Applicants are encouraged to design evidence-based, scalable interventions tailored to these target levels and aligned with the Government of Uganda’s education policies. Key submission deadlines include a priority concept paper deadline of January 15, 2024, for early consideration in USAID’s primary co-design workshop, with a rolling submission process available until the final closing date of November 28, 2024. USAID also requires applicants to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and register in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award consideration. Through this APS, USAID seeks innovative, cost-effective solutions to Uganda's learning crisis, driven by partnerships that enhance local capacity and sustain long-term educational progress.