CALL FOR GRANT PROPOSALS: Transformative Solutions Grant

Author: Melanie Balinas

#Grants #TransformativeSolutions

Call for Grant Proposals: Transformative Solutions

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: January 30, 2015
The Center on Conflict and Development at Texas A&M University (ConDev) is a development laboratory
of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded through its Higher Education
Solutions Network (HESN). ConDev seeks to improve the effectiveness of development solutions for fragile
and conflict-affected countries through transformative solutions (TS). Transformative Solutions are novel
research based ideas, or variations on existing ideas, that can cause a shift in thinking, inspire change, and
influence outcomes cost-effectively with the ultimate goal of scaling up across multiple countries and/or
disciplines.
ConDev is awarding grants up to $25,000. Cost sharing or leverage is not required but encouraged. All
Transformative Solutions proposals should not exceed two years in duration. All locations and ideas will be
considered. Applications from any university, organization, or researcher will be accepted.
ConDev arranged for the Office of Research Service to formally require accepting universities to NOT take
indirect costs (IDC) from the award. We will work with receiving universities to limit IDC of the recipient but
do not guarantee accepting universities will comply with ConDev requirements. ConDev is operating in
accordance with the Higher Education Solution Network guidelines. However, researchers are expected to
coordinate with their respective institutions to ensure IDC procedures are followed. We will work with
receiving universities to limit IDC of the recipient but do not guarantee accepting universities will comply
with ConDev requirements. Award recipients from non-university organizations will coordinate IDC with
ConDev to identify IDC requirements. ConDev reserves the right to terminate the proposal if financial
accountability is not in compliance with Texas A&M policy. ConDev will provide administrative assistance
throughout this process.
The ConDev HESN project supports research in four primary interest areas including:

How can workforce development and employment engage youth populations?

How can legitimate local institutions redirect elite competition and influence cooperation dynamics?

How can natural resource management promote peace?

How can interventions that build upon local coping strategies incentivize food security and promote
resilience?1

Research is encouraged to address cross-cutting themes:

1

Capacidad humana de asumir con flexibilidad situaciones lmite y sobreponerse a ellas.

Generate meaningful and actionable data and analysis that fills knowledge gaps

Integrate gender in methods and solutions

Identify and test innovative applications of information and communications technology

Include local research institutions as partners to generate solutions for and by the local population

To apply:
1.

Create concept note (four to five pages) based on ConDev template:

1. Problem or question
2. Proposed solution What impact do you believe your TS will have on the problem? What makes
this idea transformative?
3. Method to measure success or impact of solution
4. Expected outcomes Is this idea scalable? If so, how?
5. Budget estimation Estimated total cost and possible leverages
6. Contact information Name, email, phone number, institution

2.

Submit concept note to condevcenter@condevcenter.org with the subject line TS Submission

The plans should be less than two years in duration. Accepted concepts notes will be invited to submit full
proposals. Concept notes will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Strategic fit: Does the question fit into ConDevs themes for reducing conflict or results of conflict?

Is the solution a transformative idea or a new variation of an existing idea? Will the solution cause a
shift in thinking and/or inspire change? Is the solution scalable?2

Is the solution feasible? Is the solution cost effective?

Are cross-cutting themes addressed?

Could the solution be implemented in other areas, regions, or countries?

ConDev staff and advisors will evaluate proposals; additionally USAID representatives will provide input on
the concept notes. If approved, a ConDev core member and in-country ConDev Working Group (WG)
member will be assigned to the Transformative Solutions generator to facilitate in writing the fully
developed proposal. A full proposal invitation does not guarantee funding. During the full proposal phase,
ConDev will identify the accepted indirect-rate that recipients are able to charge. ConDev reserves the right
to reject proposals if the submitting party cannot secure indirect-rate waivers.
When possible, ConDev will provide a liaison with the USAID Mission in each country, host country
universities and researchers, as well as the expertise and support of ConDev. For each awardee, a working
relationship with ConDev, minimum one publication, and additional deliverables will be requested.
2

escalabilidad es la propiedad deseable de un sistema, una red o un proceso, que indica su habilidad para reaccionar y adaptarse
sin perder calidad, o bien manejar el crecimiento continuo de trabajo de manera fluida

The Theory of Change approach to problem solving is promoted within ConDev, which simply stated is: the
solution plans to do X in order to accomplish Y and the results will be Z. For more on Theory of
Change: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnads460.pdf.
Any

questions

related

to

the

Transformative

Solutions

grant

may

be

directed

to condevcenter@condevcenter.org.
Other Notes:
1.

The Do No Harm principle states that interventions and pilot programs or their proposed policy
recommendations must not put those living in violent contexts at greater risk than they would
otherwise face without the intervention/proposed policy change. ConDev strictly adheres to this
principle to be consistent with USAIDs code of ethics. The detailed theory of change should enhance
the livelihoods of the impoverished and victimized without negatively impacting the dynamics of the
society by putting them in harms way. For more details on do no harm, please see CDA Collaborative
Learning Projects, Inc. (http://www.cdacollaborative.org/programs/do-no-harm/).

2.

Environmental Considerations The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, Section 117
requires that the impact of USAIDs funded activities should consider environmental sustainability in
designing and carrying out its development programs. This mandate is codified in Federal Regulations
(22 CFR 216) and in USAIDs Automated Directives System (ADS)Parts 201.5 and 204
(http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/200/). These regulations require that the potential environmental
impacts of USAID-financed activities are identified prior to a final decision to proceed and that
appropriate environmental safeguards are adopted for all activities. The activities and interventions
undertaken as a part of the individual TSs are expected to have no significant adverse effect on the
environment in host countries. The grantee shall be responsible for implementing all USAID
environmental sustainability conditions pertaining to activities to be funded under this grant. If the
recipient plans any new activities outside the scope of the approved proposal, amended
documentation must be prepared and approved by ConDev and potentially USAID before proceeding
with project implementation. In addition, the TS recipient must comply with host country environmental
regulations. In case of conflict between host country and USAID regulations, the latter shall govern.
The proposal and research design should contain a section on environmental regulations.