Long-term Assistance and SErvices for Research (LASER) | 7200AA18RFA00004

Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA18RFA00004

The Long-term Assistance and SErvices for Research (LASER) opportunity is a USAID cooperative agreement designed to strengthen how development research is generated, shared, and actually used in real-world programming and policy. The core idea is to leverage and expand international university networks that include both U.S. universities and institutions in lower-middle income countries (LMICs). Through this award, USAID wants a lead implementing higher education institution to help identify new, high-value research questions, fund and manage research activities, translate findings into practical development impact, and build the long-term research capacity of LMIC universities and researchers. Rather than prescribing a single fixed research agenda, USAID expects applicants to propose a clear plan and workplan for how they will meet these goals, with the understanding that implementation will be refined in consultation with USAID over time.

A central feature of LASER is the creation, engagement, and/or growth of a large, cross-disciplinary network of university researchers, centers, and institutes. USAID is looking for a network that can do two things well: first, independently surface and pursue impactful research questions that matter to the international development community; and second, respond to USAID-specific needs by partnering with USAID Missions, Bureaus, and Independent Offices when unique research demands arise. In practice, this means the implementing partner is expected to function as a kind of connector and facilitator, quickly bringing together the right academic expertise (technical and geographic) to match development challenges and USAID learning priorities. The program also emphasizes participatory engagement, meaning research topics and approaches should be shaped with input from local stakeholders, not only by external researchers or Washington-based priorities.

Capacity strengthening for LMIC higher education institutions is not treated as a side benefit; it is one of the explicit outcomes. USAID intends for LMIC universities to gain human and institutional capacity by collaborating directly with U.S. researchers, participating in funded research opportunities, and receiving technical assistance that helps them translate research into formats and messages that decision-makers can use. LASER is framed as a way to engage the full research-to-action ecosystem: universities, researchers, policymakers, civil society, and other development actors. The goal is for those groups to become more capable contributors to research success, and for research results to be communicated in ways that influence policy choices and program designs rather than sitting in academic publications alone.

USAID also positions LASER as part of a broader architecture of university engagement. The award is intended to coordinate with a sister project called the Research Technical Assistance Center (RTAC), and both efforts contribute to USAID's Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN). Taken together, these initiatives are meant to make it easier for USAID to access scientific advice quickly, generate world-class evidence with strong collaboration and shared ownership, and convert research findings into actionable recommendations. USAID explicitly ties LASER to its science objective of increasing the use of scientific research to improve development outcomes, essentially by building a standing network of researchers who understand USAID's operating environment and can help solve development challenges on an ongoing basis.

On eligibility, only higher education institutions may apply as the Prime recipient for LASER. USAID uses a broad definition of higher education institutions, covering tertiary education organizations such as universities, colleges, research institutes, and specialized training institutes (including teacher training institutions), whether public or private. Consortia are allowed and encouraged, including partnerships that involve non-university organizations, but an HEI must serve as the Prime. Another key condition is that no federal assistance funds may be paid as profit to any for-profit entity that receives or administers the award as a recipient or subrecipient, consistent with 2 CFR 700.13.

From a compliance and risk standpoint, USAID notes that applicants must have solid financial management systems, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal controls, and written policies that meet U.S. government standards and regulations. USAID welcomes applicants that have not previously received USAID funding, but the chosen recipient must pass a responsibility determination. The Agreement Officer may require a pre-award survey to verify that the applicant has, or can obtain, the organizational structure, accounting and operational controls, experience, and technical capacity needed to deliver the program and comply with the award terms.

The opportunity is a discretionary USAID funding opportunity (CFDA 98.012) issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant. The funding opportunity number is 7200AA18RFA00004. The opportunity was created on December 6, 2017, with an original closing date of January 24, 2018. The award ceiling listed for the opportunity is $70,000,000, indicating USAID anticipated a large, multi-year platform capable of supporting a broad global network, multiple research activities, and sustained capacity-building and research-translation support across partner institutions.

• The Agency for International Development in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Long-term Assistance and SErvices for Research (LASER)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.012.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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 $70,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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