Supporting Learning outcomes | 720 668 RFI 19 SLO

Opportunity Information: Apply for 720 668 RFI 19 SLO

USAID/South Sudan issued a Request for Information (RFI) called "Supporting Learning Outcomes in South Sudan" to gather ideas and practical approaches for a potential five-year education activity that could be funded at roughly $20 million. This is not a grant competition, not a Notice of Funding Opportunity, and not a request for applications. USAID makes clear that no funding is currently available under this RFI, that it will not pay any costs related to preparing submissions, and that it will not answer questions from respondents. The main purpose is market research: collecting feedback that could shape a future program and possible later solicitation, without giving any competitive advantage to organizations that respond now. Respondents are also told not to submit proprietary information.

The need behind the RFI is framed as urgent and widespread. South Sudan has more than 2.2 million children out of school, close to one third of the country’s primary school-aged population, placing it among the countries with the highest out-of-school rates globally. The document points to several drivers: too few functional schools, frequent and unpredictable school closures linked to insecurity and violence, displacement that disrupts both students and teachers, and serious safety threats when children attempt to attend school. Cited assessments describe large shares of schools being closed, and report that conflict has led to damaged or occupied schools, killings of students and teachers, sexual violence risks (especially for girls), and forced recruitment, all of which intensify fear among families and reduce attendance.

USAID notes that prior education investments have helped expand access and improve safety and well-being, offering children and youth some stability. However, even with those gains, many learners still are not acquiring basic literacy, numeracy, and the soft skills they need for continued education and later success. Against a backdrop of a relative improvement in peace conditions and drawing on lessons from recent studies and interventions, USAID is signaling a shift toward instructional models and learning-focused support that can produce clear, measurable improvements in learning outcomes and resilience.

The RFI envisions a partner that can co-create and implement a program tailored to South Sudan’s challenging context, specifically targeting children and youth ages 10 to 15. The goal is to help these learners achieve measurable gains in literacy, numeracy, and soft skills through a structured support package so they can continue learning at age-appropriate levels. Continuation could mean re-entering or progressing within upper primary or lower secondary school, or moving toward technical and vocational education and training. USAID emphasizes that this is expected to be difficult given the limited availability of proven contextual models in South Sudan, which is why they are seeking strong ideas on what could work.

USAID describes three core results it wants to see from a future five-year activity. First, a foundational literacy and numeracy support package that may incorporate social-emotional learning and/or accelerated education approaches to help learners catch up and prepare for ongoing education. Second, demonstrable improvements in learning as measured through standard tools such as Early Grade Reading Assessments (EGRA) and Early Grade Math Assessments (EGMA), tracked over a three-year period and/or by the end of Grade 8. Third, increased soft skills and socio-emotional competencies that are relevant not just for school persistence but also for longer-term employability and sustainable livelihoods.

To inform the design of any future program, USAID asks respondents to provide short, focused input on three main questions. They want recommended development strategies and activity approaches that could improve learning outcomes for 10- to 15-year-olds. They also want suggestions for non-formal education methods that can succeed in this environment while still complementing formal schooling pathways. Finally, they request examples of existing development methodologies or models that could realistically create pathways to improved literacy and numeracy in South Sudan, presumably including approaches proven in fragile, conflict-affected, or low-resource settings.

Administratively, the RFI was issued by USAID’s Mission in Juba under an anticipated cooperative agreement framework, with eligibility described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the notice). Submissions were to be emailed with a specific subject line and formatted in English using Times New Roman 12-point font, capped at three pages total. Organizations could include a very short organizational description, but it was optional and counted toward the page limit. USAID indicates respondents would receive an electronic confirmation of receipt, but no evaluative feedback.

• The Agency for International Development, South Sudan (USAID)-Juba in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supporting Learning outcomes" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.042.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 21, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 09, 2019 Please submit the information requested by the closing date and time shown at the top of this cover letter to jubaoaa@usaid.govPlease include in the subject line of the email RFI Supporting Learning Outcomes in South Sudan Responses must be submitted in Times New Roman 12 pt font in English and limited to no more than 3 pages total (including any cover page). If you decide to include organizational information, please limit this to a short paragraph of less than 600 characters inclusive of spaces. This information is not required and will be included in the 3 page count. You will receive electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive feedback.. (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 $20,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for 720 668 RFI 19 SLO

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