Inclusive Climate Action – FY 22 Disability Funding | 72018223RFA00001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Inclusive Climate Action - FY 22 Disability Funding opportunity?

It is a competitive USAID grant opportunity focused on strengthening disability-inclusive responses to climate change, with particular interest in projects that improve inclusive disaster risk reduction.

What is the main purpose of this grant?

The central purpose is to help persons with disabilities and their representative organizations take meaningful action on climate adaptation and resilience. Projects should ensure climate and disaster preparedness efforts account for the needs, leadership, and participation of people with disabilities.

What types of activities or project themes does USAID appear most interested in?

Based on the description, USAID is particularly interested in practical approaches that improve disability inclusion within climate action and disaster risk reduction. Examples of the kinds of problems concepts may address include gaps in accessible early warning systems, limited participation of persons with disabilities in local disaster planning, or barriers to accessing climate resilience services.

Does USAID want broad program proposals or focused projects?

USAID signals a clear preference for focused project design. Concept papers are expected to identify a specific, well-defined problem related to disability inclusion within climate action and propose a concrete solution with tangible outputs.

What does USAID mean by "practical, innovative approaches with clear deliverables"?

USAID is looking for concept papers that describe what will be produced, changed, or put in place during the project period. The guidance suggests avoiding vague goals and overly ambitious concepts, and instead presenting narrow, assessable activities with clear deliverables.

How much funding is expected per award?

Funding is expected to be awarded (subject to availability) in two approximate per-award ranges: USD 300,000 to 500,000 and USD 500,000 to 1,000,000.

How long should proposed activities last?

Proposed activities should run for about 24 to 36 months.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The opportunity identifies the funding instrument as a grant.

What activity category is this opportunity listed under?

It is listed under a community development activity category.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number shown in the listing is 98.001.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is 72018223RFA00001.

What was the original closing date shown in the public listing?

The public listing shows an original closing date of 2023-02-24.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Eligible organization types include private non-profit organizations, for-profit companies that are willing to forgo profits, faith- and community-based organizations, private voluntary organizations, universities, research organizations, and professional associations.

Are local Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) encouraged to apply?

Yes. Local DPOs are strongly encouraged to apply directly, and preference is given to qualified DPOs.

Is partnering with DPOs important if an applicant is not a DPO?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes disability inclusion as both a topic and a leadership/partnership expectation. Preference is given to organizations that genuinely collaborate with DPOs or provide sub-grants to DPOs as part of the approach (as long as all funding requirements are met).

What documentation is required for mainstream organizations partnering with DPOs?

Mainstream organizations that are not DPOs must include signed letters of support from the local DPOs they intend to work with.

What should the DPO letters of support demonstrate?

The letters should show meaningful involvement of DPO partners across the project lifecycle, including design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The description indicates these letters are intended to demonstrate real participation and shared decision-making, not symbolic consultation.

Can applicants include sub-grants to DPOs?

Yes. The opportunity indicates preference may be given to organizations that collaborate with DPOs and/or provide sub-grants to DPOs as part of the project approach, provided all funding requirements are met.

Are for-profit entities allowed to apply?

Yes, for-profit companies may apply if they are willing to forgo profits, according to the eligibility description provided.

Are U.S. organizations required, or can non-U.S. organizations apply?

Both U.S. and non-U.S. entities are eligible to apply, based on the information provided.

Are there any organizations that are explicitly not eligible?

Yes. The announcement notes that PIOs are not eligible to apply under this program.

What application format or template is required?

Applicants must use the required Standard Application Form (Attachment 1). The description notes this is intended to promote consistency and simplify review, implying that compliance with the provided template and formatting will matter during evaluation.

What does USAID appear to value in concept papers?

USAID appears to value concept papers that are narrow in scope, easy to assess, and built around practical solutions with clear deliverables and tangible outputs, with strong disability-inclusive leadership and participation (especially via DPOs).

What is the core disability inclusion expectation in this opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes that persons with disabilities and their representative organizations should have meaningful roles in climate adaptation, resilience, and disaster preparedness efforts, including leadership and participation in planning and implementation.

Is inclusive disaster risk reduction specifically highlighted?

Yes. The opportunity states a particular interest in projects that improve inclusive disaster risk reduction.

How should an applicant describe the problem their project will address?

The concept should identify a specific, well-defined disability inclusion problem within climate action (such as accessibility gaps or participation barriers) and then propose a concrete solution that leads to measurable outputs during the project period.

What should applicants avoid based on the opportunity description?

The description suggests applicants should avoid vague goals, broad concepts without clear outputs, and overly ambitious proposals that are difficult to assess. USAID signals it prefers concepts with clear, practical deliverables.