Opportunity Information: Apply for 72061221RFA00003
Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and Expanding Degree Opportunities (SSTEMEDO) is a USAID/Malawi grant opportunity issued as an addendum under the broader Higher Education for Leadership, Innovation, and Exchange (HELIX) Annual Program Statement, which sits within USAID's New Partnerships Initiative (NPI). In practical terms, the addendum is a targeted call meant to expand USAID/Malawi's higher education work by encouraging new, structured collaborations between Malawian higher education institutions and universities or colleges in the United States. The emphasis is on strengthening STEM education and widening access to degree opportunities, using international institutional partnerships as the main vehicle for change.
The opportunity is designed around the idea that higher education partnerships can produce long-lasting improvements in teaching, training, and workforce readiness, especially in STEM fields that are often central to national development goals. USAID frames this within its broader "Journey to Self-Reliance" approach, meaning the projects are expected to help Malawi build durable local capacity, generate sustainable and resilient results, and promote more effective partnering models that can continue beyond the life of USAID funding. Rather than focusing only on short-term trainings or one-off exchanges, the addendum signals interest in collaborations that can amplify impact across institutions and systems.
Applications are expected to begin with the submission of Concept Notes, which function as an initial screening step. Concept Notes submitted under this addendum must be led by U.S. higher education institutions, but the program clearly anticipates active collaboration with Malawian partners and also encourages involvement from relevant non-academic organizations when appropriate. That can include private sector entities, government bodies, NGOs, professional associations, or other institutions that can strengthen alignment with labor market needs, practical training opportunities, or national policy priorities. If a Concept Note is selected, the applicant may be invited to continue in the process toward a full application, at which point USAID may ultimately make awards.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, SSTEMEDO is offered by USAID/Malawi (USAID-Lilongwe) as a cooperative agreement, which typically means substantial involvement by USAID during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, and technical direction. The opportunity is categorized under Education, with CFDA number 98.001. The funding opportunity number is 72061221RFA00003. USAID anticipated making up to two awards, with a total award ceiling of $17,000,000, indicating relatively large, multi-institutional projects or initiatives with the scale to meaningfully influence degree programming and STEM capacity.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with clarification to be found in the full eligibility section of the announcement, but the narrative makes one key requirement clear: U.S. HEIs must take the lead on Concept Notes submitted under this addendum. The notice was created on March 16, 2021, and originally closed on April 26, 2021. Overall, SSTEMEDO is best understood as a competitive mechanism to seed and grow Malawi-U.S. university partnerships that strengthen STEM education and expand degree pathways, while also advancing USAID's larger goal of building sustainable local capacity through innovative, high-impact partnerships.Apply for 72061221RFA00003
- The Agency for International Development, Malawi USAID-Lilongwe in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics & Expanding Degree Opportunities (SSTEMEDO)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 16, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 2021. (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 $17,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the SSTEMEDO opportunity?
Strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and Expanding Degree Opportunities (SSTEMEDO) is a USAID/Malawi grant opportunity focused on strengthening STEM education and expanding degree opportunities in Malawi through structured partnerships between Malawian higher education institutions and U.S. universities or colleges.
2) How does SSTEMEDO relate to HELIX and the New Partnerships Initiative (NPI)?
SSTEMEDO is issued as an addendum under the broader Higher Education for Leadership, Innovation, and Exchange (HELIX) Annual Program Statement. HELIX sits within USAID's New Partnerships Initiative (NPI), meaning SSTEMEDO is part of a larger USAID effort to promote new and more effective partnership models.
3) What is the main purpose of the SSTEMEDO addendum?
The addendum is a targeted call intended to expand USAID/Malawi's higher education work by encouraging new, structured collaborations between Malawian higher education institutions and U.S. institutions, with an emphasis on strengthening STEM education and widening access to degree opportunities.
4) What types of outcomes is USAID looking for?
Based on the opportunity description, USAID is looking for long-lasting improvements in teaching, training, and workforce readiness, particularly in STEM. The addendum signals interest in collaborations that can amplify impact across institutions and systems, rather than one-off exchanges or purely short-term training activities.
5) What is meant by USAID's "Journey to Self-Reliance" in this opportunity?
In the context of this addendum, USAID's "Journey to Self-Reliance" framing means projects are expected to help Malawi build durable local capacity, generate sustainable and resilient results, and promote partnering models that can continue beyond the life of USAID funding.
6) Who is expected to submit applications under this addendum?
Applications are expected to begin with Concept Notes. Concept Notes submitted under this addendum must be led by U.S. higher education institutions (HEIs). The opportunity also anticipates active collaboration with Malawian partners.
7) Do Malawian institutions participate if U.S. HEIs must lead?
Yes. While U.S. HEIs must lead Concept Notes under this addendum, the program clearly anticipates active collaboration with Malawian higher education institution partners as the main vehicle for achieving the program goals.
8) Are non-academic partners allowed or encouraged?
Yes. The addendum encourages involvement from relevant non-academic organizations when appropriate. Examples mentioned include private sector entities, government bodies, NGOs, professional associations, or other institutions that can strengthen alignment with labor market needs, practical training opportunities, or national policy priorities.
9) What is the first step in the application process?
The process is expected to start with submission of a Concept Note, which serves as an initial screening step.
10) What happens after a Concept Note is submitted?
If a Concept Note is selected, the applicant may be invited to continue in the process toward a full application. USAID may ultimately make awards after this subsequent stage.
11) What type of award instrument is SSTEMEDO using?
SSTEMEDO is offered by USAID/Malawi as a cooperative agreement.
12) What does "cooperative agreement" imply for project implementation?
The opportunity description notes that a cooperative agreement typically means substantial involvement by USAID during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, and technical direction.
13) Which USAID office is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by USAID/Malawi (USAID-Lilongwe).
14) What is the program area/category for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Education.
15) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 98.001.
16) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 72061221RFA00003.
17) How many awards did USAID anticipate making?
USAID anticipated making up to two awards under this opportunity.
18) What is the total funding ceiling for SSTEMEDO?
The total award ceiling is listed as $17,000,000.
19) What does the funding ceiling suggest about the scale of projects?
The description indicates this ceiling suggests relatively large, multi-institutional projects or initiatives with enough scale to meaningfully influence degree programming and STEM capacity.
20) What is listed for eligibility?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification expected in the full eligibility section of the announcement. However, the narrative includes a key requirement: U.S. HEIs must take the lead on Concept Notes submitted under this addendum.
21) What is the focus area of partnerships encouraged by this opportunity?
The partnerships are centered on strengthening STEM education and expanding degree pathways/opportunities, using international institutional collaborations between Malawi and the United States as the main approach.
22) When was this notice created and when did it close?
The notice was created on March 16, 2021, and originally closed on April 26, 2021.
23) What is the overall aim of SSTEMEDO in practical terms?
Overall, SSTEMEDO is a competitive mechanism to seed and grow Malawi-U.S. university partnerships that strengthen STEM education and expand degree pathways, while advancing USAID's goal of building sustainable local capacity through innovative, high-impact partnerships.
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