RFI 72069624RFI00001 : USAID/Rwanda Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity | 72069624RFI00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72069624RFI00001

The opportunity titled "RFI 72069624RFI00001: USAID/Rwanda Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity" is a USAID Request for Information focused on shaping a future education activity in Rwanda. The central aim of the anticipated SEED activity is to improve reading outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing learners in pre-primary and lower primary grades. Rather than being a direct call for proposals, this notice is positioned as an industry consultation where USAID/Rwanda is asking potential implementers to provide feedback on proposed strategies and offer practical suggestions that could make the eventual program more effective, sustainable, and locally led.

A major theme of the RFI is local sustainability and local leadership. USAID/Rwanda is explicitly seeking input from both Rwandan organizations and international partners on how to design the activity so that Rwandan institutions and local actors are empowered to take the lead, not only during implementation but also after USAID support ends. In practice, this means the RFI is looking for ideas on approaches that build durable local capacity, strengthen Rwandan systems, and avoid dependency on external technical assistance. The underlying signal is that prospective partners should think beyond short-term service delivery and instead emphasize institutional strengthening, long-term skills transfer, and approaches that can be maintained with local resources and governance structures over time.

The RFI also highlights that improving literacy outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children is not only a classroom issue, but a community-level issue. USAID is asking for strategic input on promoting "optimal key education behaviors" at the community level, with the goal of shifting local perceptions about persons with disabilities and about Rwandan Sign Language (RSL). This suggests the activity may include components such as community engagement, awareness and behavior change efforts, and initiatives that increase acceptance and support for deaf learners and for the use of RSL. The emphasis on perception change indicates USAID is interested in addressing social barriers that can limit enrollment, participation, language access, and learning progress, even when school-based interventions are in place.

From the opportunity metadata, this notice is categorized as a discretionary opportunity using an "Other" funding instrument type, and it is labeled under the Education activity category with CFDA number 98.001. Eligible applicants are listed as "Unrestricted," which generally means USAID is open to receiving input from a wide range of entities rather than limiting responses to a narrow applicant type. The notice anticipates a single award in the eventual activity (expected awards: 1), although the RFI itself is only for gathering information and does not guarantee an award. The original closing date for submitting information in response to the RFI is listed as 2023-12-29, and the opportunity was created on 2023-12-08. No award ceiling is provided in the data shown, which is typical for RFIs since they are meant to inform design and procurement planning rather than announce finalized funding levels.

Overall, this RFI is best understood as an early step in program design for a specialized inclusive education and early-grade reading effort in Rwanda targeting deaf and hard of hearing learners. USAID/Rwanda is signaling that it wants implementer input on what works, what is feasible in the Rwandan context, and how to structure the activity so that Rwandan organizations, communities, and systems can sustain gains in literacy and inclusive education after the program ends, while also tackling community attitudes toward disability and strengthening acceptance and use of Rwandan Sign Language.

• The Burundi USAID-Bujumbura in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RFI 72069624RFI00001 : USAID/Rwanda Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity" 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 2023-12-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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