The Incentivize Learning Activity | 72066922RFA00004

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): USAID/Liberia Incentivize Learning Activity

1) What is the Incentivize Learning Activity?

The Incentivize Learning Activity is a USAID/Liberia funding opportunity focused on increasing access to education for vulnerable and underserved school-age children in Liberia. It is also designed to respond to heightened food insecurity that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2) What problem is this opportunity trying to solve?

The opportunity is built around a practical idea: learning outcomes improve when children can consistently get to school, stay in class, and participate effectively. Many children face barriers that lead to non-enrollment, irregular attendance, or absenteeism, especially when households are dealing with poverty and food insecurity.

3) What are the main strategies or components described?

Based on the information provided, the Activity emphasizes:

• School meals provided during the school day to reduce short-term hunger and support attendance and concentration.
• Targeted financial incentives intended to remove cost barriers that keep children out of school or contribute to frequent absences.
• Community and parental engagement, paired with social and behavior change communication, to encourage positive education behaviors and reinforce the value of schooling.

4) How do school meals fit into the education goal?

School meals are described as more than nutrition support. They are positioned as an incentive and enabling condition that can make school more feasible and more attractive for families, especially those coping with food insecurity. Reducing short-term hunger can also help children concentrate and engage during lessons, which supports effective participation.

5) Why does the Activity emphasize attendance and consistent participation?

The Activity is centered on the idea that children cannot benefit from instruction if they are not attending regularly or if hunger and other barriers prevent them from participating effectively. The incentives are meant to encourage enrollment, reduce absenteeism, and help children remain in class consistently.

6) What is meant by “targeted financial incentives” in this opportunity?

The excerpt does not provide the exact structure or mechanism for the financial incentives. What is clear is the intent: to reduce economic pressures and cost barriers that prevent consistent attendance and make it easier for underserved households to keep children enrolled and attending school every day.

7) What role do parents and communities play in this Activity?

The Activity includes community and parental engagement along with social and behavior change communication. This reflects the view that schooling decisions are influenced not only by resources, but also by attitudes, expectations, and community norms. These efforts are meant to reinforce the value of schooling and support regular attendance and continued participation.

8) Which sector/category does this funding opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Education.

9) Who is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Agency for International Development, Liberia (USAID Monrovia).

10) What type of award is this (grant, contract, cooperative agreement, etc.)?

This opportunity is offered as a Cooperative Agreement. That means USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation, rather than providing a fully hands-off grant.

11) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The listing is under CFDA 98.001.

12) What is the opportunity number (NOFO/RFA identifier)?

The Notice of Funding Opportunity is identified as 72066922RFA00004.

13) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on Aug 23, 2022.

14) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was Oct 14, 2022.

15) How many awards did USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipated making one award.

16) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is up to 20,000,000.

17) Is eligibility limited to certain organization types?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types. The excerpt notes that additional eligibility clarifications may exist in the full announcement text.

18) How does this Activity relate to other education investments?

The Activity is positioned as a complement to other education investments by focusing on enabling conditions that often determine whether students can attend, concentrate, and benefit from instruction in the first place.

19) Does the information provided specify the exact incentive amounts, meal model, or implementation details?

No. The excerpt explains the intent and main components (meals, targeted financial incentives, and community engagement), but it does not provide detailed implementation design such as incentive amounts, delivery mechanisms, or operational timelines.

20) What outcomes is the Activity ultimately trying to improve?

The Activity aims to improve access to education and strengthen learning conditions by boosting enrollment, reducing absenteeism, supporting consistent attendance, and helping children participate effectively in class, especially in contexts affected by food insecurity.